Remembering My Father on Father's Day 2023
I'm channeling the memories of my dad, Jerry Davidoff, and considering his example.
This is a cross-post of content originally posted earlier today on Facebook.
In 1957, Father’s Day fell on Sunday, June 16th. That was the day that I was born.
When I was a boy, my dad told me I was not obliged to ever offer him a Father’s Day gift. My 1957 Father’s Day gift was making him a father. That was enough for him.
My father, Jerry Davidoff (1926-2009), was a fine and careful writer. As I have been writing fervantly lately for social media, my blogs, and in letters, my father’s example has inspired me.
About three weeks ago, I placed on my desk this photo of Dad at age — what? age 12? age 13? — writing at his family's home in Sunnyside Gardens, Queens, N.Y. The year must be 1938 or ’39.
Dad, once again this year there is no Father’s Day gift for you. Please accept my thanks for being a great father. I know you’d be looking forward to a new iteration of fatherhood with your first great-grandchild expected in September. My memories of you and your father will guide me into being a good grandfather.
Dad, I love you. Always. Just like you’re with me always.
Jerry was a good writer and was committed to words and, in my case, correcting their misuse. I spoke at an Annual Meeting at TUCW about leading the many activities and celebrations of the congregation’s 50th Anniversary. Having poured through files, photos and other memorabilia commemorating the founding and growth of this church, I remarked on how ‘incredible’ the founders and early members were.
Oops! I got a call from Jerry around 3:00 pm that Sunday afternoon, saying, in his carefully chosen words, that the people whose names I called out were 'very credible' and that if I were to continue to be a leader in the movement I would be well advised to remember that. Words mean something, Jerry reminded me, and sloppy misuse undermines the speakers 'credibility'.
I don't think I have ever used that word again to mean 'capable, outstanding, or accomplishes'.