My dearest father: It is impossible for me to eloquently express my affection for all that you and mom have done to support me, improve me, and forgive me when I ignored your guidance. And when I introduced Lois, how you immediately accepted her into the family. I know that she most sincerely loves you both, to this very day, 50 years later, as if you were her natural parents.
Through all my transgressions you never raised your voice! (wow, good job, you certainly had reason to) You just sought to illustrate a better path. I fear that the world today needs many, many more of you (calm, rational and reflective) and the numbers are diminishing rapidly.
Spontaneous Recollections:
When my high school grades dropped I recall you having a one-to-one talk and you asked what I hoped to achieve in life. You said that regardless of the answer I was not going to get there if I continued my current path.
In the late sixties I recall telling you that I was off to San Francisco! You replied: how do you expect to get there? I quickly figured out that you were not going to drive me! No flowers in my hair! If you look at me nowadays the concept is absurd.
In the earliest years in Kitscoty I recall a hockey game sitting in the backseat of your car as you drove a severely injured player to the hospital. I recall seeing daylight through his cheek. No hockey for me, never, ever.
Fort Saskatchewan and the white house: these were most certainly our Wonder Years: all the family gatherings, golfing with friends, and everything else that occurred while raising a family in a small Canadian town. It all seems so idyllic now, they were the best of times.
But mostly what has impressed me is how everyone speaks nothing but kind and considerate words towards Philip Uniat, my father. I was truly blessed to have such a great dad.
