Celebrating Father's Day

I adored my father. He did everything he could to be there for me. Here is one story I would like to share this special Father’s Day.

In 1969, I was finishing my master’s degree at Brooklyn College and was on my way to becoming a licensed teacher. My last early childhood course was taught by a wickedly odd professor with a pointy nose. She entered the class with a satanic stare.

“Welcome to your last master’s class” she said with a wide grin. “The whole mark for this class will be based on your understanding of one text book. It is imperative that you read it carefully and fully understand each concept. Anyone who fails to master the ideas of the text will simply not graduate”.

Well, I thought, doesn’t sound so hard…it’s only one book. I’ve memorized so much already … one more text wont be too hard.

She proceeded to write the name of the book on the board. “One thing I forgot to mention … there are only three copies of the book in N.Y.C. It is out of print. Good luck to all of you.” She promptly printed the title and began her lecture on teaching Pre-K. My stomach became as twisted as the thread on her eraser.

Where would I find this book? I ran to the telephone booth in the hallway and dialed my dad’s office. I gave him a narrative on why I would never graduate this year because a crazy woman is out to destroy her class. He asked me the name of the book and hung up.

I got home from school rather late that evening. My mom, brother and I were waiting for dad to come home. We always ate together. He never came home after 6 p.m., and it was after 9 p.m., where was he?

The doorbell rang and there he stood with a Marlboro in one hand and the textbook in the other. Only my extraordinary dad could have pulled off finding that book. My hero of heroes.

Years later when my daughter was born my dad smiled with delight seeing his new granddaughter for the first time. When we were all together he turned to my husband and whispered, “Someday when your little girl grows up she’s gonna ask you for a book”!

My husband became the same kind of dad that my father was. He has done his share of good deeds and his daughter celebrates her memories with him.

Happy Father’s Day to all.

Weinberger is a North Woodmere resident.