Father's Day 2016

OUAT Blog for June 20th

Some national holidays are more impactful than others to me, in my humble opinion. This past weekend our nation celebrated Father's Day and I have to say, it was particularly special to me.  As many of you who are regular readers of this blog know, this space is reserved for both the reflection of the importance and impact our life experiences teaches us, as well as highlights the moments, personal moments, of why Oral History Preservation matters.

And so, for this Father's Day, my weekend began with a return visit to Henrico Doctor's Hospital where I sat at the beside of my own father. The last time I was sitting in that same seat was just in the month of April when my dad had his, I believe 6th heart attack.  The poignant thing about the timing of this recent episode was that the following morning I was scheduled to fly out to California to have my own father's day time with my daughter and namesake. The very idea that I would be sitting alone with him, in a hospital room, reflecting on his life, and my own seemed wrong somehow.

While taking my mind off of my own "stuff", I was reminded once again of how precious life is. I thought of my many friends who have lost their fathers within the past year.  I was reminded of my grandfather who is no longer here and recalling the few precious memories I was able to retain when he was.  I realized that I have been sitting in this same hospital 3 times in the past 4 years and each time there was no guarantee he would walk out of there on his own, if at all.

As my father and I spoke to each other about what we would do once he was released, I thought introspectively to myself about just what would I do when I arrive in California to begin spending time with Little Ryan? What can I do to ensure that her earliest memories will be lastin,g ones she will be proud to share as she grows up and perhaps will one day recount at my bedside?

Moments like the ones I have shared recently with my father have been powerful reminders of the importance of making the most of each moment, even the moments we take for granted. I am looking forward to going fishing this weekend with my dad. I made it a point to tell him that I will need him to teach me everything he knows about that canoe and which bait to use and how to work the motor. I will need to pass on those memories and recreate that experience with my daughter, so I can share with her what my father taught me so that she can then share her experience with her own children one day.

Yesterday I looked at my daughter, age 4, and asked her, "Do you know why I get to celebrate Father's Day?", and her answer was, "Because of me."  She was never more insightful and spot on than that. Because of her presence in my life, I too can share in the awesome experience of being a dad; loving, teaching, caring, sharing, supporting and being ever mindful that life is fragile and fleeting, and why every second is not to be wasted but treasured.

Virgil Johannes and his first born, Ryan Heathcock