Sunday, June 21,1998 1:20 P.M. Today is Father’s Day. I wrote in a card to my Dad: Happy Father’s Day to my Dad! I hope you know I love you very much. I believe you have been the best Dad you could be. But more important, you have given me a precious gift of un-conditional love and taught me to love others the same way.

Of all the things a Dad could teach, I believe one thing that is the most important is love. My father has loved me with-out any conditions. It doesn’t mean he was a great Dad. My father has made many mistakes. But I am not God, I do not judge. When I was 19, I decided to make peace with my Dad and whatever faults he has. They were not of my doing and he would have to live with himself for who he is. I live with myself for who I am. I try my best. I think my Dad realized years too late that he should have made some changes when he was younger. But it is said god loves the sheep who has came back to him as much as the one who never left. (Or something like that.) My Dad is about 55 and he has just finished radiation therapy on his neck for cancer. Something like that can change a person dramatically. After years and years of drinking my father has stopped. (My mother left him in their 18th year of marriage or about that, due to his drinking.) Before I made my decision to make peace with my father I wouldn’t speak to him because he was and still is an alcoholic. I think my father could have been a much better man and father if he could have gotten himself together sooner. However, that doesn’t matter what matters is I love him and have learned to accept him for who he is not what he is. I also want to mention my Grandfather, my Dad’s Dad. He was a great man. He was gentle and kind. I have very fond memories of him. It saddens me to think of him being gone from this world but if anyone belongs in heaven, that I know, it is him.

I guess that’s it for now.
Love Christine