Monthly Archives: May 2013

Sleuthing the Web to Find Dad’s Cherished Impala

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“Surprise is the greatest gift which life can grant us.”

—Boris Pasternak

Herb Younger’s 1965 Chevy Impala was almost a member of family.

This is about a dad, a son, and a 1965 Impala SS. The story begins in 1964.
1965-chevy-impala

Mom, one of the dogs, and Dad’s 1965 Impala

Herb Younger saw her on the showroom floor. A 1965 Chevy Impala SS. Goldwood yellow. 396 cubic-inch engine. Chrome rims. Herb was in college, but couldn’t say no. He financed the car and worked to make payments. Life seemed complete. Herb needed no more.

Then he met Linda. They fell in love. They dated in Herb’s Impala SS. It took them everywhere, even the chapel to marry… and honeymoon to follow. When Herb accepted a teaching job across the country a year later, the couple drove Herb’s Impala SS over 2,000 miles without air conditioning. Packed in the back, all their worldly belongings plus two dogs and a parakeet named Harvey.    READ MORE 

As Father & Son. As One.

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“I am strong, when I am on your shoulders; You raise me up… to more than I can be.”

— “You Raise Me Up” lyrics by Brendan Graham

Today’s story is about Dick and Rick Hoyt — Team Hoyt.

A despicable pair ruined the Boston Marathon this year. They took lives. They grabbed headlines.

father & son

Dick and Rick, aka Team Hoyt
http://www.teamhoyt.com

A father son pair ran the Boston Marathon this year. They inspired lives. They deserved headlines.

Since 1977, Dick and Rick Hoyt have competed in over 1000 endurance events. This was their 31st Boston Marathon together. The duo has also completed six Ironman competitions, perhaps the toughest of all athletic challenges.

As father & son. As one.

Dick, the dad, is 73. Rick is 51. Impressive enough. But that’s not all. Rick is a quadriplegic. He’s had cerebral palsy since birth. He lives in a wheelchair. He speaks with the help of a computer.

He “runs” with Dad’s legs. Dad pushes, pulls, pedals and carries Rick all the way.    READ MORE 

My Dad Has A Special Appreciation for Living

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“Difficult hurdles give us an appreciation for living others don’t have.”

Today’s story is about Janie Hite.

My name is Janie Hite. I am 4, a big girl now. Thanks to my dad and another kind man I’m alive today.

appreciation for life

Janie Hite

I was born with serious problems most babies don’t have. The medical terms don’t matter – they’re just big words. With some luck and good care, I’ll be fine. I won’t grow up to typical height. I’ll look a bit different. But I can live a long, happy life.

When I was 2, I almost died. Two men saved my life — Dr. Ben Carson and my dad.

“Emergency surgery,” the doctors exclaimed. The problem? Something scary called “water on the brain.” I needed a difficult operation few knew how to do. I needed it right then to keep me alive.    READ MORE 

Dad Was This Huge Looming Presence

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“I was very conscious that [Dad] was this huge, looming presence…”

—Joe Hill

Today’s story is about Joe Hill.

So you want to be a writer. You’ve picked a tough trade. Many try. Few succeed. But you’ve got an edge. One hell of an edge.

dad is a looming presence

Writer Joe Hill, son of Stephen King.

He’s the world’s best best-selling author. Fifty novels. Fifty-million sales. Stephen King is his name. Most would kill for that “in”. You lucked out. The King of Scream is your dad.

You’re a lucky guy — the son of the King. As an aspiring writer, what do you do to leverage Dad’s name?

A crazy move most would say. You change your name!

What happens? You struggle for years. You write. Submit. Rejection, day after day. You soldier on with your “art.” You try not to get down. You peck away in obscurity. Just like every other writing schmuck.

Then, your stuff starts to catch. On your own, you become a best-selling author. Award-winner. Genre-shaper. Critical darling … before anyone knew you were Stephen King’s son.    READ MORE 

A Road Trip with Dad

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“The time is always right to do what is right.”

—Martin Luther King, Jr.

road-trip-bigotry

Today’s story is from Kathy Hansen.

Another state line. Another state sign.
Welcome to North Carolina!

a road trip with dad

Kathy (left) with dad Paul, mom Cora, brother & sister

Remember those road trips when you were a kid? Twenty questions. Songs. Counting cows. Name that car. State capitols. Word games. The hours drug on. Are we there yet? How much longer?

Now imagine a journey of two and half days. Every summer, that’s what we did. Grandma and Grandpa waited anxiously for us to pull in.

My name is Kathy. I was just 10. From Syracuse, New York to Florida we drove. In 1956, before interstates, it was a slog of almost three days. Maps, coolers, snacks, suitcases, plus Mom, Dad, me, my two brothers and sis. The car so packed it was fused to explode. Dad drove, Mom beside him. Me, my brothers and sister crammed in the back.    READ MORE 

Mom Saved My Life

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If you don’t read this, you lose. It’s that touching. It’s that good.

Today’s story is from Chloe Veron

Chloe Veron is 21, a junior at Harvard. I’m sure she has a remarkable dad. I know she has a remarkable mom.

Mom saved my life

Mom Joy and Chloe

Chloe’s mother saved her life … and her sister Annie’s … and her brother Elliot’s, but paid a dear price. Chloe and her sister Annie, produced one of the most heart-warming, videos I’ve ever seen. It’s a well-deserved tribute to an incredible mom.

At Savvy Dad, we normally talk about dads. For Mother’s Day, it’s our privilege to honor one amazing mom. After seeing the video (and shedding a tear with Roseann), I sent a message to Chloe in the hope that she might share a photo and perhaps a comment or two. We had not met or communicated before.

Here’s what she wrote back:    READ MORE 

How Do You Know When Your Dad is Mad?

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“No one can lie, no one can hide anything, when he looks directly into someone’s eyes.”

—Paulo Coelho

by Greg Hague

Stark white rims. Dark rose lenses. “Guessing Glasses,” according to Dad. “I have to guess how she feels!” Dad said.

How can you tell when your dad is mad?

Mom in her ‘Guessing Glasses’

The year the company discontinued “her style,” she bought all they had. White rims. Dark rose lenses. Mom’s guessing glasses. One day I asked, “Mom, what’s the deal with the white sunglasses? Always the same pair. You never take them off.”

She smiled, “Greg, how do you know when your dad is mad?” That’s easy, I thought. “The vein in his forehead pops out,” I replied.   

“Exactly,” Mom said. “It’s a signal, right?” I nodded in agreement. I knew this well. (Pay attention. This next part is good.)

“That’s why I wear sunglasses,” Mom whispered. “What do you mean?” I asked.    READ MORE