I love the photos and the details about how your dad loves history, it's so wonderful to feel like I'm getting to know a person through an essay. My dad loves nature, so some of my favorite memories of him are walking in the woods, crossing streams, learning about plants. He's probably the reason I'm not afraid of camping and know how to build a fire.
Your Dad looks and sounds amazing, I love the pics! The last couple decades my Dad was more of a Crocs kinda guy because it was hard for him to bend over due to a hip issue. However, back in the day he sported all kinds of cowboy boots and we still have a pair of his 'fancy' ones that will become a family heirloom. A runner he was not!
Love this. My grandfather wore a size 13 shoe, which was something to behold, especially his white patent leather loafers he wore to Palm Springs. My grandfather owned a shoe store in Alhambra named Prober’s Shoes (of course) which our family ran for over 75 years. All my siblings and I worked in that store at some point and I learned a lot about shoes and life from my grandfather. My dad, at 91 1/2 is still traveling the world (Antarctica, Singapore and Taiwan in the past 6 months) and can still kick my ass.
Thx for subscribing and reading! White patent leather-- love it. I had no idea your family owned a shoe store. When did you commute to Alhambra to work the store? Kudos, papa Prober! Antartica!? It's Jeff's top bucket trip.
First in H.S. one summer I worked the counter, answering phones, ringing up customers and selling "handbags," the only job my gramps would allow a woman to do. Then after freshman year, my grandfather had a pacemaker put in so I was deputized as his driver and took him to the store a few days a week and worked the counter again. But in HS, I got a job in a shoe store in Encino. My grandfather was a legend in the shoe business and I was hired on the spot when he saw my last name!
This is your best essay yet. I could feel your emotions and thoughts on every level. You reminded me of things that dad does and says. He’s a pretty amazing guy for his age but still wish he had been there more for me growing up and as an adult.
Apologies first -- real long comments are clumsy on a phone and Notes -- Oh well this essay DESERVES IT! My FAVORITE Aging Gratefully yet! You deftly pivot topics in your writing. I leave the old paragraph with a smile, a glimpse of a memory and ready for the next. Each photo of your Dad -- what a room filler of a smile. I can hear him saying life is great in a very convincing way! My favorite phrases 1. "He's known for extending conversations" 2. "...but I'm here if he falls" -- Happy early 90th Arnold -- while he might not like the word nowadays 20+ years later, Dylan is VERY CUTE!
Q&A
1. What’s your favorite parent memory? -- EZ hands-down 1983. My folks sacrificed so much for my brothers and I. I was the first of my bros to be established in the world. I surprised my parents for their 25th wedding anniversary. Dad was already slowing down. Walking in the door the evening before they lit up. Finally the times when you could give back for all they had done tho you could never repay them. Dad was gone less than a year later.
2. No but shoes were a REAL problem. To this day my bros and I have extensive shoe shine kits and it is inconceivable to walk out the door without your shoes shined.
3. 11s. I have a sneaker fetish. It is inherited. My nephew and niece play basketball. They both played Nike Premier traveling BB and GENUINELY have at least 40 pairs of BB sneakers. My brother, their dad, just has a shoeshine kit.
4. Yes, the everyday hero. The newish movie Air is a love story about belief that leads to greatness. The bro I speak of went to UNC and used to tape Michael Jordan's ankles while in grad school. His parents were a big part of where he ended up!
So sorry your dad is no longer with us. Love your line about how we can no longer repay them. Show shine kits? Love it. That’s so 1940s. Sneakers— even designers are on board with pricey sneakers just for the label. Loved Air. Why did he tape his ankles?
My brother was in the inaugural program for Sports Medicine before it was a thing. They started it at UNC b/c football players were dying in the heat of spring practices and the medical students didn't want to be present to veto coach behavior. They started a Sports Medicine program. He was there at the very best of times. He shared a story once of an EARLY class on a weekend. When he would walk to the class early morning, all the students asleep from too much partying and Michael Jordan in the parking lot around 7-8 AM washing the car. Jordan always got his ankles taped before practice. My brother says when he finished MJ would say thanks Mr. Dolan.
This was lovely! What is awesome about my Dad is when there’s a problem he always responds with curiosity and somehow models a “slow down, let’s figure this out, and you’re not alone” without saying it! Happy Father’s Day to your Dad!
I join your friends in the toenail ewwww. The rest is lovely though!
Thanks so much!
The Shoe Garden in Town and Country
This is a beautifully written piece about your memories and your loving relationship with your dad. I cry with happiness for you
Thank you so much. 🙏
Loved this.
Thank you for reading and commenting. 🙏❤️
Lovely way to honour your dad.
I love the photos and the details about how your dad loves history, it's so wonderful to feel like I'm getting to know a person through an essay. My dad loves nature, so some of my favorite memories of him are walking in the woods, crossing streams, learning about plants. He's probably the reason I'm not afraid of camping and know how to build a fire.
Your dad sounds awesome. What a great legacy— the love of nature.
Your Dad looks and sounds amazing, I love the pics! The last couple decades my Dad was more of a Crocs kinda guy because it was hard for him to bend over due to a hip issue. However, back in the day he sported all kinds of cowboy boots and we still have a pair of his 'fancy' ones that will become a family heirloom. A runner he was not!
Love that your dad wore crocs. Who gets the fancy cowboy boots?
It appears that one of my sons and my husband are sharing them.
Loved this one so much! I was chuckling on the bus on my way home from these beautiful memories and I loved the portrayal.
Thx sweetie.
What sweet recollections! Your dad looks so full of life.
Thx! And thx for reading!
Love this. My grandfather wore a size 13 shoe, which was something to behold, especially his white patent leather loafers he wore to Palm Springs. My grandfather owned a shoe store in Alhambra named Prober’s Shoes (of course) which our family ran for over 75 years. All my siblings and I worked in that store at some point and I learned a lot about shoes and life from my grandfather. My dad, at 91 1/2 is still traveling the world (Antarctica, Singapore and Taiwan in the past 6 months) and can still kick my ass.
Thx for subscribing and reading! White patent leather-- love it. I had no idea your family owned a shoe store. When did you commute to Alhambra to work the store? Kudos, papa Prober! Antartica!? It's Jeff's top bucket trip.
First in H.S. one summer I worked the counter, answering phones, ringing up customers and selling "handbags," the only job my gramps would allow a woman to do. Then after freshman year, my grandfather had a pacemaker put in so I was deputized as his driver and took him to the store a few days a week and worked the counter again. But in HS, I got a job in a shoe store in Encino. My grandfather was a legend in the shoe business and I was hired on the spot when he saw my last name!
Which shoe store in Encino? I had a few jobs in Town and Country and Plaza de Oro over the years.
Love your dad. Wishing him a happy birthday and hope he breaks Olivia's record. xo
Thank you so much!
This is your best essay yet. I could feel your emotions and thoughts on every level. You reminded me of things that dad does and says. He’s a pretty amazing guy for his age but still wish he had been there more for me growing up and as an adult.
Thx sistah.
Thanks for making me cry! Touching tribute to your Dad. Great photos support the legacy of the remarkable person you get to call Dad.
Thank you! 🙏
You are not alone Paul -- I thought it was the humidity
Haha. Humidity.
Apologies first -- real long comments are clumsy on a phone and Notes -- Oh well this essay DESERVES IT! My FAVORITE Aging Gratefully yet! You deftly pivot topics in your writing. I leave the old paragraph with a smile, a glimpse of a memory and ready for the next. Each photo of your Dad -- what a room filler of a smile. I can hear him saying life is great in a very convincing way! My favorite phrases 1. "He's known for extending conversations" 2. "...but I'm here if he falls" -- Happy early 90th Arnold -- while he might not like the word nowadays 20+ years later, Dylan is VERY CUTE!
Q&A
1. What’s your favorite parent memory? -- EZ hands-down 1983. My folks sacrificed so much for my brothers and I. I was the first of my bros to be established in the world. I surprised my parents for their 25th wedding anniversary. Dad was already slowing down. Walking in the door the evening before they lit up. Finally the times when you could give back for all they had done tho you could never repay them. Dad was gone less than a year later.
2. No but shoes were a REAL problem. To this day my bros and I have extensive shoe shine kits and it is inconceivable to walk out the door without your shoes shined.
3. 11s. I have a sneaker fetish. It is inherited. My nephew and niece play basketball. They both played Nike Premier traveling BB and GENUINELY have at least 40 pairs of BB sneakers. My brother, their dad, just has a shoeshine kit.
4. Yes, the everyday hero. The newish movie Air is a love story about belief that leads to greatness. The bro I speak of went to UNC and used to tape Michael Jordan's ankles while in grad school. His parents were a big part of where he ended up!
So sorry your dad is no longer with us. Love your line about how we can no longer repay them. Show shine kits? Love it. That’s so 1940s. Sneakers— even designers are on board with pricey sneakers just for the label. Loved Air. Why did he tape his ankles?
My brother was in the inaugural program for Sports Medicine before it was a thing. They started it at UNC b/c football players were dying in the heat of spring practices and the medical students didn't want to be present to veto coach behavior. They started a Sports Medicine program. He was there at the very best of times. He shared a story once of an EARLY class on a weekend. When he would walk to the class early morning, all the students asleep from too much partying and Michael Jordan in the parking lot around 7-8 AM washing the car. Jordan always got his ankles taped before practice. My brother says when he finished MJ would say thanks Mr. Dolan.
This was lovely! What is awesome about my Dad is when there’s a problem he always responds with curiosity and somehow models a “slow down, let’s figure this out, and you’re not alone” without saying it! Happy Father’s Day to your Dad!
Great advice from your dad. Thx. 🙏❤️