My dad was a very strict only his way type of man. He never told us he loved us. So we were always striving to hear good job son,or that was great, or I love you. He believed in corporal punishment and I got many spankings with the belt that as a matter of fact still resides in my closet. When we (his kids) had kids we saw a different man…he was a sucker for the grandkids…and showed them love and hugs and kisses. I was amazed as I saw how the grand kids could walk all over him. I asked my dad if he was given spankings as a kid and he said no, that his dad would talk to him and lecture him and how it always made him feel so bad that he hurt his dad that he wished he could get a spanking as his discipline and get it over with. So there was a method to his madness. He always told us he didn’t want us to be like him. He wanted us better. Well he certainly achieved his goal…thank you dad. In the end as he was passing, he told me how much he loved me and how proud of me he was…and I will never forget that…he passed 3/6/2006 24 days shy of his 64th birthday…and on that day every year I cry, not a sad cry, but a good cry from all the memories I have of my best friend…my dad!!!