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I was named ...
For my father, but not quite as you might think ...
His first name is my middle name, Richard,
And his middle name, Thomas, was my brother's first name,
(Though my brother switched his first and middle name after high school),

Now my brother's middle name is my father's middle name.
I'm not understating when I say that I am honored by it ...
My father, (while being horribly neglectful as a father), is a good man -
When I say "good", I mean the very best man I know.
I can't blame him much for the poor fathering skills, he did his best,

But BOTH his parents were cold, unaffectionate people,
So he was never given the tools or the wherewithal.
But he is a man of integrity ... a man of true, abiding character.
He worked all the time to provide for us, and provide he DID -
We had many blessings and opportunities that other kids didn't have,

And while we had strict upbringing and chores, we were in want of very little.
We were taught to appreciate it, and we did, but we were comfortable.
He was also a pillar of the community, in every and all aspects of the word,
A member of every panel and board and club that there was, literally,
So even when he wasn't working, we saw very little of him.

As a pharmacist, there were many times when he would go out late,
Often the middle of the night, to get emergency medications for someone ...
He NEVER complained ... never argued or groaned.
He often let people - sometimes his best friends - walk all over him,
Rather than take a chance of losing their friendship or offending them.

When he finally sold the family store, the town owed him tens of thousands ...
And tens of thousands more, but did he take anyone to court? No.
Nor did he even press them for it or threaten legally.
The town, HIS HOME, was too important.
I think the best thing I can say to describe him is this:

He NEVER had an enemy! Never in his life that I know of, certainly not then.
I have never known any other human being anywhere,
Who didn't have at least one person they considered an enemy -
Who didn't have someone they would or could say negative things about,
Or vice-versa ... not my dad.

He helped anyone and everyone he could, and never griped,
And while it frustrated us at times, he was just that way,
And would not change for anyone.
That is really something quite incredible to me ... quite special, indeed.
And while he will never consider himself a "success",

There is no greater definition of the word
Than my very humble and hard-working father.
Now you know why I'm honored to have his name,
Why I'll ALWAYS be humbled by it,
And proud as a son can be.




~ 6th Place ~  in the "What's In A Name" Poetry Contest, Kim Rodrigues, Judge & Sponsor.
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