Father's Day: Thankful for my dad and my son

By HENRY FREDERICK
Headline Surfer
Column: People, Places & Things

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- On this Father's Day I am thankful for the love and support of two men in my life: My father, Henry Frederick Jr., 79, and my son, Henry Frederick IV, 24.

They are very influential in how I live my life. And I feel I am just as influential in helping them in living their lives, too. I am fortunate to have the loving interaction of both. My father raised me and I, in turn, raised my son. These are good things and the bonds are strong.

My father is widowed (my mother died on his birthday 15 years ago). My son is not yet married as he continues making his way in the world, but I am certain he will when the time is right. I am married a second time and going on 10 years. My parents were married for nearly 45 years and had seven children (I was the second oldest). My son is my only child.

God-willing, my father, who lives in Connecticut, will be 80 years old on Aug. 27. My son, Henry, will be 25 on Oct. 16. I turned 56 on Feb. 4. The passage of time marches on and I appreciate having these two men in my life for I love them both -- not just on Father's Day but every day.

Editor's Note: Henry Frederick received a first place award in blog writing in 2012 from the Florida Press Club for his June 17, 2012 column  Father knows best even if it takes half a lifetime to see that.