Tuesday, July 21, 2009

The Real Hero


Forty years ago, a man walked on the moon. It was truly incredible. Families everywhere gathered around their television sets to watch one giant step for mankind. And our dad missed the whole show.


We lived on a farm where television reception was spotty. We could usually watch one of three channels, but to do so meant going outside and twisting the iron pipe connected to the antena anchored on our roof. That night, the antena refused to stay stay put. It kept twisting back just a notch every time our dad let go of the pipe. Then the fuzzy, gray picture evaporated into pure, white snow.


So, while the rest of our family sat in awe watching pictures from the moon, our dad stood outside holding the antena.


When I go back to that evening in my mind, the memory of the moon walk is pretty much as fuzzy as the original picture. But the memory of my dad making it happen? Captured in HD.

5 comments:

  1. Aw, I love this! The whole thing.

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  2. I love the toothpick. Reminds me so much of my Dad. Dad was born in 1923, and I was born in 1972, so he was from a different generation than most of my classmates parents. In fact, he fought in WWII with many of their grandfathers.

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  3. What a neat memory to have of your Dad. Remembering that and it making such an indelible impression on you, as much or more than the moon walk, is what I have always admired about you........perspective, once again, you help me focus. Thanks for sharing!

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  4. Yes, this is life lived WELL, when this is how you remember that amazing event. And Grandpa's the best.

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  5. I've always thought your dad was a great man! This just proves it!

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