I don't believe I ever realized how fortunate I was to have such a wonderful father and role model in my life. I somehow thought that ALL fathers did the things my father did for their children. Lots of hugs, encouragement, fun days and wonderful trips-laughter was always on the menu. So was love.
When I turned 12 and began going out to concerts, things seemed to change I started to realize just how special he really was. My friends would always say they wished they were as lucky as I was to have such a wonderful dad. He loved to do spontaneous things and whoever was over was always invited along; dinners out, surprise visits to Carvel, a game or two of miniature golf or a movie.
He was always the first to offer to pick up two or three other friends and take us where we wanted to go and never once complained. He joked and laughed with my friends and called my best friend his "other" daughter. Our door was always open and friends and family were always welcome. A large part of my childhood was sitting on his knee learning how to play cards with all the people who showed up (what I wouldn't give for one more card game!). Most of my friend's fathers did not want to be bothered when they arrived home from work. In some their houses would get very quiet, guests were sent home, there were no surprises--or fun.
When I was older and began working for my father I saw the joy he took in his business and it was contagious. He allowed people to HEAR again and I too went on to become a Certified New York State Hearing Aid Dispenser. More then that, I saw the way he treated people, with patience and kindness and complete respect. I remember thinking he had to be the worst "businessman" in the world as I knew he gave away at no charge some hearing aids to people who couldn't afford them-a rare trait. Fortunately, at the time I never knew how many.
My father, Lt. Colonel Peter F. Provenzale, passed young, in 1980 at age 60. He was proud of his accomplishments during World War 11 where he was a navigator with the 8th Air Force, 351st group. What he spoke mainly about was his friendship with Clark Gable, also in the same division. He admired and respected him for being "just one of the guys." Clark Gable's mission was to make a documentary on the war and it is called "Combat America." My father was in many of the scenes and as a gift to my father, Mr. Gable presented him with an original 8 mm reel of the tape, something we still have.
What I got from my father were his values: People come first and money is not all that important. Do what you love and follow your heart-and always be able to say you did the best you could. Don't beat yourself up over mistakes, keep your head up and keep trying because when you live a good life, you will ALWAYS be happy. I always hope I make him proud that he left me his name.
I miss you, Dad and just as important, I have always respected you. He always told me that the best thing he could ever leave to his children was a good name....and I have never changed it because he did that so well.
**Carole Provenzale has been a Certified Feng Shui Consultant since 1997 and is the Founder of Feng Shui Long Island providing on site Feng Shui Consultations for New York City (Manhattan) and all of Long Island for Homes, Apartments, Businesses, Corporations, Renovations and New Construction. Carole also provides Lectures and Workshops on Feng Shui Principles.
 |
|
|
Certified Feng Shui Consultant since 1997 and Founder of Feng Shui Long Island & NY providing Consultations for Homes & Offices. Working with Realtors for Home Staging and Feng Shui to sell homes fast
Long Island, New York....It's Beauty and it's Woes by Feng Shui Long Island & New York City
Are YOU Losing MONEY Because You Don't Know Your JOB? Feng Shui in Long Island.
Feng Shui in New York--Show me the MONEY! by Feng Shui Long Island & New York City
My CLIENT Just Saved Me $1,000!! by Feng Shui Long Island & New York City
New York Feng Shui Art: What's 650 HOURS of YOUR Time Worth? by Feng Shui Long Island & Manhattan
Feng Shui Predecessor Energy: IMPRINTS! by Feng Shui Long Island and New York City
The Law of Attraction and Energy Healing in Feng Shui by Feng Shui Long Island & New York City
ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
Powered by the ActiveRain Real Estate Network
© 2008 ActiveRain Corp. All Rights Reserved
We all have Hero's in our life ... often to late we see them for the Giants that they were
you honor him and the other great men of his time by remembering him today
Carole - This is a lovely post about your dad. You could consider placing in the Family Ties group if you like. Have a great weekend!
Carole~ Your did certainly did instill within you all of those traits you have mentioned. What a gift to have a "perfect dad". I am sure that he is very proud of you and all your accomplishments.
Carole, I loved this piece from you. I can see where you get your tremendous values. I know he was proud of you all along and you were greatly loved. It comes through in your words.
Loved this post about your Dad. I can tell how proud you must be of his accomplishments. From the looks of it... you have turned out perfectly. I know he would be so proud of you.
Carole, beautiful post and great tribute to your dad. I understand your feelings because I feel the same about my father. I am fortunate to have him alive in my life but I know that you keep your father alive in your heart and memories.
I remember when, as a child, I asked my father; "What happens when someone you love very much dies?" and he told me : "When someone, you love dies they come and live with you in your heart" and I truly believed that (I actually still do...). He made me believe that they don't die for you... they keep staying in your heart for the rest of your life... That helped me to bear the pain of loosing my grandfather.
Is Clark Gable and your father in that picture? How cool!
Carole.... excellent tribute to your dad. Not only did you sound proud of him, but he sounded like a main of much pride and accomplishments. Sorry for the loss of your dad. And how awesome to have met and worked with Clark Cable. I would love to see that film one day. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Carole, Thanks for sharing the wonderful qualities and special memories of your father. Those values deserve celebrating and are worth repeating. Cheers, Harley
No wonder...you got all those traits from dad. I would have loved to hear his stories and yes...we remember with vivid imagery...of our dads :)
Carole - what a beautiful tribute to your father. Your words certainly depict the values he instilled in you, as well as your desire to help others.
Your father would be extremely proud of you today, and rightfully so.
Carole--What a wonderful story about your life with a wonderful father!
Carole,
This is one of the most beautiful tributes to a Dad I've ever read...it sounds like you had an idyllic childhood and he was certainly a very rare and wonderful individual. Thank you for sharing your memories with us.
Jo
What precious photographs and a handsome father Carole - as I was reading what you shared i felt that you have alot of his traits!
Beautiful post - thanks for sharing it with us!
Sincerely Grace
p.s. did you get my email?
Carole ~ this is a beautiful "them them" to your dad. Nice tribute. My mom loved Clark Gable what a great picture. Im glad you keep it and that its "not Gone with the Wind" (get it?) Great tribute!!!
Eric, Thank you for the kind response, my dad was a Giant--to me and others.
Jason, I will repost it in there and thank you so much for the suggestion.
Joan, Thank you, he was a wonderful person and I was very fortunate to have a father like him.
Gary, I do hope he is proud of me--and I'm sure I'll find out one day :)
Lizette, It is very hard to live up to that kind of character, all I can do is try.
Arina, I love the words your father told you and they are VERY true, he is very much alive in my heart. Yes, that's one of my photos of Clark Gable with my dad.
Jeff, Thank you, he was one of the great ones. They've actually shown clips of that film on 20/20 and several other shows!
Harley, You know, you're right, I don't do enough celebrating about his life; what a wonderful perspective!
Oh, Sally we sure do remember....Your sky and post is unforgettable. I will someday make a video like you did, I loved it.
Carol, Thank you, that is so sweet. I always wonder and I always hope so.
Teri, Thank you, I guess I was one of the very fortunate ones!
Jo, I had a truly wonderful childhood, I was SO lucky to have had such a terrific one.
Grace, Thank you, I did get your email, just a bit behind these days....but I am delighted to hear it! I have to wonder if the item you used helped at all :)
Fernando, You crack me up, of course I "got it." Have a truly great new staging today!!
Wow Carole, that was so touching. Thank you so much for sharing. Though you did not have your father on earth for long, you were certainly a very lucky girl!
Carole- What a touching story. I was in the 351st at Castle AFB in California from 1983-1987. Small world
Carole, beautiful ThemThem to a beautiful, caring, givin man named Dad. To honor him with the same last name you deserve a kudos, I can tell he was a wonderful teacher in lifes lessons.
I'm sorry for your loss, he lives on through your life.
Duane
Featured ThemThem Group Post
Cristal, Thank you, I feel very, very lucky to have had such a wonderful father.
Larry, It sure IS a small world! My father stayed active in the military long after he came home. And thank you for letting me know.
Duane, What an honor, thank you SO much! My dad and I both appreciate it.
Carole, you are welcome.
Hi Carole...You expressed your love for your father so beautifully and you are fortunate to have had his love in return.
He died at such a young age but he will be with you forever. Arina's dad was so right when he said those we love live in our hearts forever.
Take care,
Kathleen
Hi again Carole -no need to reply - I know you are busy and I'm sure your advice helped ! Thanks Kindly and have an awesome week.
sincerely,
Grace
Hi Carole,
A very lovely post about your dad. You are very lucky to have such a kind and loving father. I am sure he was so proud to say you were his daughter, you have the same wonderful qualities.
Kathleen, No, it wasn't long to have my father but I wouldn't have traded the precious time I had with him for anything!
Grace, Let's hope it was a little of everything that worked....I'm thrilled to hear it, though and now am curious for follow ups from you...
Trace, I do hope so....I know he's wondering about the direction I chose but he was always supportive.
You just have the most remarkably surprising stories Carole. I remember a previous post you did on your wonderful dad, who was an incredible human being in his own right - and now he's associated with someone I used to swoon over???!!
awesome...
Carole - I am going to include this post about your dad in the Family Ties recap tonight. Thanks!
Carole, what a wonderful story. I am so happy that you shared it. Your dad must have been a wonderful man. Handsome too!
Deborah, We are lucky, we have many pictures and other things that have both my dad and Clark Gable in them :)
Jason, Thank you so much for the Honor....for myself and my dad.
Susan, My dad was terrific....I'm sure he's making people happy wherever he is but he's alrways "around" at the same time.