My Father - Patriarch for Family and Religion

Growing up he taught us to stay away from sweets by limiting the sugar content in our foods; we were only allowed to drink unsweetened Kool-Aid and were only allowed to indulge in candy once a year: at Halloween time. For this reason, we learned to make our treats last throughout the year until the next Halloween. I am grateful for this restrictive upbringing because today none of us are overweight and have had very minor dental problems.

While growing up, we also learned to enjoy powdered milk because we not only lived on a limited income, but because my dad didn’t want us to have weight problems growing up. I am thankful for this as well, because I am now an overall healthy adult with no weight issues. In addition to being limited from sugars and brought up on powdered milk, we were not allowed to indulge in fast foods, sugared cereals, or desserts unless it was a special occasion such as a birthday or holiday, for all of these reasons we are all healthy and none of us have serious weight problems like many of today’s children. I have learned to appreciate these treats only on special occasions as an adult and am thankful to my father for bringing us up healthy.

Another lesson I learned from my father was the value of spending time with family and taking at least one yearly family vacation. Despite our limited income, my dad always made sure we went on a fun summer vacation to Disneyland, the San Diego Zoo, Knottsberry Farm, the beach, or across the country to Florida to see the alligators, and New Jersey, Pennsylvania, or New York to visit family who lived on the east coast.

Finally, I am most thankful to my dad for raising me as a Catholic. Even though there were days and times of struggle and rebellion getting us to church, all of us appreciate his efforts today. Most of my siblings and I (but one) have stayed faithful to the Catholic Church and teachings of Jesus Christ. I believe having this faith and guidance has helped mold me into a well-rounded adult who loves others, respects others, treats others fairly, and will always follow the ways of Jesus Christ.