WILL THE CYCLE (CIRCLE) BE UNBROKEN....
Back in my Elementary School days the teacher would sometimes ask, "WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?" Most of the class would say the typical , FIREMAN, POLICEMAN, ETC...
I always said "A DAD" I didnt aspire to any career or title I just wanted to be a Father!
growing up in a Middle ,Middle Class Home, both parents having good factory jobs. I wasn't lacking anything in the area of physical needs or wants....toys, bikes, vacations food clothing etc... one thing I was lacking though... My Fathers approval & Love....
He was born in 1925, to a Family that would have 11 kids, and during his youth would go through the Great Depression....Grandpa was a foundry worker, which would be the career my Father would go into...Hard work, provider! I knew my Grandpa, CLARENCE CUNNINGHAM, My Namesake, I don't have any bad memories of him but I also don't have any real fond memories. He wasnt very social , the entire Clan would gather at Grandpa & Grandma's house on Sunday afternoon, we would generally be the first to arrive, and more often then not I can recall finding Gramps taking his afternoon Nap!! (BTW, A LONG FAMILY TRADITION!!!)
I recall one "sort" of Humorous story my dad would relate to growing up, At Grandpa's shop picnic there was a contest which included the prize of food basket, for the family with the most kids, as you may have guessed it perennially went to Grandpa!! the person awarding the basket would ask, " CAN YOU NAME ALL OF YOUR KIDS FOR US?" According to Dad, He would begin and inevitably wouldnt be able to get them all right.
My Family, consisted of 6 kids, 2 Brothers, 3 Sisters...Dad from a previous marriage brought a Brother and 2 sisters into my life, my mom brought a Brother, and They had my Sister and I together. there is disagreement as to us living all together at one time...I recall we did for a short time...but at least 5 of us did for sure... in a 3 bedroom small home in Lakeside. There was an 11 year ae difference between my parents, As such the three siblings From my dad were significantly older then my Bio Sister, as was the son of My Mom. I grew up simply calling them Brother or Sister.. The details are for sake of the reader....My bond with my sibs, wasnt very strong, mostly due to large gap in ages..My Bio sister and I grew up together as she was 4 years younger than me...
Dad worked at Continental Motors Downtown Muskegon. My Mother worked For Scott paper at the time called S.D. WARREN Later SAPPI. over the years different shifts but 40+ hour weeks for both. Mom Cooked all the meals, Dad owned the TV and Newspaper!!!
Much like my Grandpa, My Dad wasn't very vocal...I don't recall, NOT ONE TIME ever being told , "I LOVE YOU SON" Mom Did sometimes, but Dad NEVER, growing up that hurt inside.... But I just simply dealt with it....dad provided. That was his way of saying He loved us.
Dad and I didnt play together ever that I can recall, but He was an avid Fisherman, and Hunter though on the hunting side not very good, we only had one deer ever....fishing different story.....He was exceptional.. I know all Boys think there dad was best fisherman, but My Dad was outstanding....weekends would find He & I heading out to the PIER to catch fresh Perch for the often family and Friends fish fry's.....we knew all the regulars on the pier...and I recall many days Dad would ask " HOW ARE THEY BITING?' no matter what the response dad always said well were here going to give it a try......usually would come home with a bucket of Perch, NEVER SKUNKED...he knew the right spots on the pier and all the nuances of how to fish them......He would come alive while fishing... we would talk he chatted with others walking or fishing it is some of the best memories I have with my Dad as a young boy.
UNTIL IT WASNT.............
to be cont........
Back in my Elementary School days the teacher would sometimes ask, "WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?" Most of the class would say the typical , FIREMAN, POLICEMAN, ETC...
I always said "A DAD" I didnt aspire to any career or title I just wanted to be a Father!
growing up in a Middle ,Middle Class Home, both parents having good factory jobs. I wasn't lacking anything in the area of physical needs or wants....toys, bikes, vacations food clothing etc... one thing I was lacking though... My Fathers approval & Love....
He was born in 1925, to a Family that would have 11 kids, and during his youth would go through the Great Depression....Grandpa was a foundry worker, which would be the career my Father would go into...Hard work, provider! I knew my Grandpa, CLARENCE CUNNINGHAM, My Namesake, I don't have any bad memories of him but I also don't have any real fond memories. He wasnt very social , the entire Clan would gather at Grandpa & Grandma's house on Sunday afternoon, we would generally be the first to arrive, and more often then not I can recall finding Gramps taking his afternoon Nap!! (BTW, A LONG FAMILY TRADITION!!!)
I recall one "sort" of Humorous story my dad would relate to growing up, At Grandpa's shop picnic there was a contest which included the prize of food basket, for the family with the most kids, as you may have guessed it perennially went to Grandpa!! the person awarding the basket would ask, " CAN YOU NAME ALL OF YOUR KIDS FOR US?" According to Dad, He would begin and inevitably wouldnt be able to get them all right.
My Family, consisted of 6 kids, 2 Brothers, 3 Sisters...Dad from a previous marriage brought a Brother and 2 sisters into my life, my mom brought a Brother, and They had my Sister and I together. there is disagreement as to us living all together at one time...I recall we did for a short time...but at least 5 of us did for sure... in a 3 bedroom small home in Lakeside. There was an 11 year ae difference between my parents, As such the three siblings From my dad were significantly older then my Bio Sister, as was the son of My Mom. I grew up simply calling them Brother or Sister.. The details are for sake of the reader....My bond with my sibs, wasnt very strong, mostly due to large gap in ages..My Bio sister and I grew up together as she was 4 years younger than me...
Dad worked at Continental Motors Downtown Muskegon. My Mother worked For Scott paper at the time called S.D. WARREN Later SAPPI. over the years different shifts but 40+ hour weeks for both. Mom Cooked all the meals, Dad owned the TV and Newspaper!!!
Much like my Grandpa, My Dad wasn't very vocal...I don't recall, NOT ONE TIME ever being told , "I LOVE YOU SON" Mom Did sometimes, but Dad NEVER, growing up that hurt inside.... But I just simply dealt with it....dad provided. That was his way of saying He loved us.
Dad and I didnt play together ever that I can recall, but He was an avid Fisherman, and Hunter though on the hunting side not very good, we only had one deer ever....fishing different story.....He was exceptional.. I know all Boys think there dad was best fisherman, but My Dad was outstanding....weekends would find He & I heading out to the PIER to catch fresh Perch for the often family and Friends fish fry's.....we knew all the regulars on the pier...and I recall many days Dad would ask " HOW ARE THEY BITING?' no matter what the response dad always said well were here going to give it a try......usually would come home with a bucket of Perch, NEVER SKUNKED...he knew the right spots on the pier and all the nuances of how to fish them......He would come alive while fishing... we would talk he chatted with others walking or fishing it is some of the best memories I have with my Dad as a young boy.
UNTIL IT WASNT.............
to be cont........