My Father’s 90th birthday was this past week. Ninety years! Wow! People live to be ninety these days, don’t they?
With baby boomers retiring and living healthier, turning 90 will soon be one of those things we take for granted.
A moment for a little family history:
Guiseppe Scaglione was the first generation American of our family. His mother travelled at age 12 on a ship from Sicily, alone, no family- and landed in Ellis Island. She then had to be quarantined for 30 days on this crowded ship full of immigrants, all coming to America for streets of gold!
That’s what the posters said- “America has streets of gold!” Their dream for a better life!
He was born in Cook County Hospital, in Chicago’s south side. In 1921, no one used the word welfare, but…he was a welfare child.
“Joe” and his family made their way to Ybor City, outside of Tampa, Fl, where he made it through eighth grade before he quit school.
He was a baker in the army, during the 2nd World War, travelling to Europe and made some memories in London!
He married my mother in 1945. They settled down in post world war America, raising three sons.
I am his youngest son. My Papa, first generation American- all three of his sons graduated college!
90 years—something to celebrate, right?
Did I mention he’s celebrated the last 21 birthdays in Heaven?
Everything I needed to know, I learned from my father- both of them!
My two fathers, heavenly and earthly, together, watching me grow up and become a father, applying what they both taught me about being a father, being an example for my son and now watching my son be an example to his son.
I’d like to tell you that my earthly father taught me about my heavenly father; truth is… I taught him about our heavenly father.
Papa accepted Christ late in life, after observing us for years…but, he did teach me other things about being a father.
Papa taught me “Family First”—always support them, always be there! They should take that for granted-your presence in their life.
He also taught me that “right was right if no one was doing it and wrong was wrong if everyone was doing it- Stand up for what’s right!”
My heavenly Father taught me to truly love my children by giving them the one thing I had that would secure their future- my faith in God.
And to point them to the only place that has streets of gold-- Heaven!
I learned from both fathers the true meaning of being a “father”- give yourself to those you love so their life can be the Best life possible!
My Papa taught me: “As long as each generation improves over the last, the family continues to prosper!”
My heavenly Father taught me: to truly love means to be willing to lay down your life for those you love…love is a verb!
The Word shows us the true meaning of a father’s love in John 3:16 “For God(our Father) so loved(His children)…He gave(His Son!)”
And that’s the definition of being a good father: to love so much…you give your best- so those you love will have a better life.
The best I could give my children was: my faith in God, my reliance on Him for all I need, and my complete trust in Christ!
Papa learned this late in life-
I learned this as a teenager-
My children learned this at the beginning of their life—
So, what will your children learn from you?
Guess Papa was right-- each generation really has improved!
Until next time,
I’m Just Sayin’…
Brother “A”
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| “What I learned from my father—that I passed on to my children!” |
With baby boomers retiring and living healthier, turning 90 will soon be one of those things we take for granted.
A moment for a little family history:
Guiseppe Scaglione was the first generation American of our family. His mother travelled at age 12 on a ship from Sicily, alone, no family- and landed in Ellis Island. She then had to be quarantined for 30 days on this crowded ship full of immigrants, all coming to America for streets of gold!
That’s what the posters said- “America has streets of gold!” Their dream for a better life!
He was born in Cook County Hospital, in Chicago’s south side. In 1921, no one used the word welfare, but…he was a welfare child.
“Joe” and his family made their way to Ybor City, outside of Tampa, Fl, where he made it through eighth grade before he quit school.
He was a baker in the army, during the 2nd World War, travelling to Europe and made some memories in London!
He married my mother in 1945. They settled down in post world war America, raising three sons.
I am his youngest son. My Papa, first generation American- all three of his sons graduated college!
90 years—something to celebrate, right?
Did I mention he’s celebrated the last 21 birthdays in Heaven?
Everything I needed to know, I learned from my father- both of them!
My two fathers, heavenly and earthly, together, watching me grow up and become a father, applying what they both taught me about being a father, being an example for my son and now watching my son be an example to his son.
I’d like to tell you that my earthly father taught me about my heavenly father; truth is… I taught him about our heavenly father.
Papa accepted Christ late in life, after observing us for years…but, he did teach me other things about being a father.
Papa taught me “Family First”—always support them, always be there! They should take that for granted-your presence in their life.
He also taught me that “right was right if no one was doing it and wrong was wrong if everyone was doing it- Stand up for what’s right!”
My heavenly Father taught me to truly love my children by giving them the one thing I had that would secure their future- my faith in God.
And to point them to the only place that has streets of gold-- Heaven!
I learned from both fathers the true meaning of being a “father”- give yourself to those you love so their life can be the Best life possible!
My Papa taught me: “As long as each generation improves over the last, the family continues to prosper!”
My heavenly Father taught me: to truly love means to be willing to lay down your life for those you love…love is a verb!
The Word shows us the true meaning of a father’s love in John 3:16 “For God(our Father) so loved(His children)…He gave(His Son!)”
And that’s the definition of being a good father: to love so much…you give your best- so those you love will have a better life.
The best I could give my children was: my faith in God, my reliance on Him for all I need, and my complete trust in Christ!
Papa learned this late in life-
I learned this as a teenager-
My children learned this at the beginning of their life—
So, what will your children learn from you?
Guess Papa was right-- each generation really has improved!
Until next time,
I’m Just Sayin’…
Brother “A”
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