I'm Just Sayin" by Alan P. Scaglione

“My greatest honor—being their PAPA!”

                                          “I’m Just Sayin’”

                                                                 by Alan P. Scaglione

Just look at them! Aren’t they just beautiful?
I know…I sound like a proud Papa, now don’t I?
And that’s because…30 years later, I still am!
My twin daughters turned 30 on Cinco de Mayo!
How did that happen? I still feel 25--okay, maybe 30-- tops!!
I can honestly tell you—being their father has been the greatest honor of my life!
I have been the father I always wanted—involved, supportive, attentive and …yes, cool!
Okay, so I’m the one who thinks I was a “Cool Dad” – jury’s still out on their verdict!
From the first moment I held them, all 4 lbs. 8 oz. and 4 lbs 12 oz—my 5 pound sack of potatoes!
I think I learned to love unconditionally when I became a father.
I also learned to forgive…my father… when I became a father.
I suddenly realized…he just did his best—it may not have been what I wanted or felt I needed, but…
It was his best! And I finally got that!
I also realized…a WOMAN can be President!! IF that’s what my daughters wanted—
Bless God! I am going to make sure they are elected!
All because…God sent me these precious jewels, “Papa’s Pujalinas!”

I watched them grow and become distinctly unique in personality and mannerisms and attitude!
If you know me…you will know…I would not raise quiet, spectator kids—
Nope—we are “in your face” “leader of the pack” kind of people!
I am so proud of all of their leadership they have shown over the years!
One was Valedictorian and One was Senior Class President!
One was Head Cheerleader and One was Star Vocalist in Choir!
They always led the pack—in their own way; one was shyer than the other but still had so many friends.

They sang in a group called “Chosen” together. One also was into sign language and wanted to be a teacher.
And today, she is a teacher of kindergarten.
One got a Bright Future scholarship but didn’t finish college—she married and started her family of four!
One didn’t get a scholarship but graduated from Lee University and became an Account Executive in the Insurance industry.

They are officially grown up—which I guess means, I am officially retired from active duty!
And yet…I would go back and do it all over again—in a New York minute!

Favorite memory with my firstborn (by one minute—something she never lets anyone forget) was a card she made me.
She had a hard time pronouncing her “r’s”. She made me a Father’s Day card and on the back it read…
HALLMAUK!
It was a “Hallmauk Card!”  I have cherished that card for 25 years!

My favorite memory with our 2^nd born(that doggone minute thing again!) was about 5 years ago.
We took her to our favorite beach resort on Treasure Island, Florida and spent the night.
I love to get up in the morning, go to shore and sit in my beach chair and… welcome the sunrise!
No one EVER comes out there with me—“It’s too early!! Why do we have to get up just to see the sun?”
Yada yada yada!
But this one morning, while I am sitting in my chair, reflecting on God’s natural masterpiece about to unfold..
She suddenly appears, with a chair-- smiles, gives me a kiss on the cheek and sits next to me!
I started to cry… she looked at me and said “this should get me off the hook for at least 5 years!”
We laughed…and watched the sunrise together!

I didn’t see either of them for this birthday—but I sent them a present.
I created a “uniquely yours” photo album of all of their ORIGINAL photos—I relinquished my picture stash to them!
And for the 24 pages of pictures, I provided my personal reflections comments of our life at the time of that picture!
And I told them—“when I am gone, remember me kindly.”

The Bible says, “Train up a child in the way that they should go, and when they are old, they will not depart.”(Proverbs 22:6)
Just how old is “old”?
 I gave them my greatest gift—my faith, my relationship with Christ, my life as an example!

And now…I have to step back, their training wheels in hand and say “go do for yours what I have done for you!”

I wouldn’t have missed this for the world!

Until Next Time

I’m Just Sayin’…

Brother “A”

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