Yervant1 Posted June 15, 2007 Report Share Posted June 15, 2007 I thought it would be a good idea to share this article with you on Father's Day. OH MY PAPA Marc Marderosian - Guest Columnist Xenia Gazette, OH http://xeniagazette.1upmonitor.com/main.as...&TM=37031.7 June 14 2007 Every time I hear the song "Oh My Papa" on the radio, or on a CD or tape, it brings tears to my eyes. The recording by Eddie Fisher is my favorite. Yes, grown men do cry. You never realize how important people are in your life until they're gone. I want to dedicate this article to all the fathers and grandfathers for their advice, guidance and patience in helping me to manhood. When you're a young lad, yo do everything that you're told by your father on any matter. In your eyes, he's wise, good and usually has an answer to all of your questions. Can you remember having conversations with some of your buddies bragging about your father to the point of fisticuffs? My dad knows more than your dad, or he can make many things out of wood, is a great mechanic, etc. The story I'm going to tell you, will give you an idea of a boy, born, first generation of immigrant parents and his growth to manhood. I've kept this inside of me all these years and decided to let you know how fortunate I was to have such a loving and caring father. I'm sure that many of you also can relate to this story. My father was born in a small village in Armenia not far from Mt. Ararat. His family had a small farm. They raised chickens, had a milk cow, grew wheat and corn, and his pet was a water buffalo. Then his whole world came to an end at age 15. One day while working in the fields stacking hay not far from his home, a band of Ottoman Turks rode in on their horses, surrounded the house, killed his father and mother, kidnapped his twin sister, set the house on fire, took whatever valuables they could carry and livestock. The Turkish Regime at that time was trying to annihilate the Armenian Race. Over one and a half million Armenians, Rumanians and other races were in their plans. It's all in the history books and the Turks still deny that this ever happened. Picture yourself in this situation. What would you do? My father had an uncle who lived in Constantinople which was many miles away. For his safety, he traveled by night and slept in the fields during the day or in a barn of a good Samaritan doing odd jobs for food on his long journey. He found his uncle and was welcomed with open arms. He worked in his import/export shop for several years to earn enough money to emigrate to America. He entered into this country through Ellis Island in 1916 and got a job as an apprentice in a wood working shop. He was drafted into the Army in 1918 when America entered into World War I, and upon his discharge from the Army, became an American citizen immediately. He married my mother who lived on an adjacent farm in Armenia. Theirs was a contract marriage, and even though he was 16 years older than my mother, AND their marriage lasted for 59 years. They had three children and for years, many thought that my mother was my sister. (The oldest son was promised in marriage to the oldest daughter. Remember "Fiddler on the Roof" movie and the Match Maker?) My father only had a fifth grade education, but the wisdom of a scholar. He taught me how to use my hands to make things, the wonderful weekend fishing trips on the Mississippi River, he taught me how to cook and run a restaurant, how to take a coal furnace apart to repair (mother was furious from all the coal dust everywhere), getting on top of our two story Dutch Colonial house to replace damaged roofing shingles, and one thing that I remember the most was his statement, "There is good in all human beings, even your enemies. Wisdom domes from being a good listener, evaluate what you hear, and speak only if you have something to say that makes common sense." The only time I saw tears in my father's eyes was when he spoke about the death of his parents and when he said goodbye to me when I left for basic training at Fort Leonardwood, Mo., during World War II. He wrote only a few letters while I was overseas during the African/European campaigns but I read and reread them many times. I still have those letters in a safe deposit box that I will pass on to my son. Remember, when you leave the nest, you still have a father and a friend, and don't you ever forget that. They appreciate phone calls to let them know you love him. Make sure the grandchildren see him as often as possible, for grandfathers also play an important role in a boy's life. We celebrate "Father's Day" once a year, but in reality it should be every day of the year. I love you dad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sassun Posted June 15, 2007 Report Share Posted June 15, 2007 How about sons'/daughters' day for once? Yeah yeah you will say, it's kids' day every day. But I beg to differ. Parents always have it their way, so it's the opposite, it's parents' day every day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ariane Posted June 15, 2007 Report Share Posted June 15, 2007 Thank you, Yervant Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted June 15, 2007 Report Share Posted June 15, 2007 Yervand jan Shnorhakal em Barekam Shnorhakal Dzer Tom@ Hargarjan Hayrer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maral Posted June 16, 2007 Report Share Posted June 16, 2007 I miss my daddy Happy Fathers Day gentlemen (I'm afraid to list the name of all of you who are fathers,I dont' want to forget anyone) Asdvadz yergahr yerchaneeg gyang nveereh polorit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExtraHye Posted June 19, 2007 Report Share Posted June 19, 2007 (edited) Happy Fathers Day everyone!!!!! So what did you do for Fathers Day this year? Edited June 19, 2007 by ExtraHye Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ED Posted June 19, 2007 Report Share Posted June 19, 2007 Happy Fathers Day everyone??? So what did you do for Fathers Day this year? worked family said we will take you out tonight, but I still am at work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maral Posted June 19, 2007 Report Share Posted June 19, 2007 Happy Fathers Day everyone??? So what did you do for Fathers Day this year? why the ?'s Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExtraHye Posted June 19, 2007 Report Share Posted June 19, 2007 (edited) why the ?'s I don't know what you're talking about. Wow we went to this one restaurant this weekend and I’m paying for it now. Don’t get me wrong, everything tasted very good. But however everything on the menu was made with garlic; they even had garlic Ice Cream. The restaurant was called the Stinky Rose, have you guys heard of it? http://www.thestinkingrose.com/ Edited June 19, 2007 by ExtraHye Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maral Posted June 19, 2007 Report Share Posted June 19, 2007 ewwwwwwwwwwww garlic ice cream??????? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExtraHye Posted June 19, 2007 Report Share Posted June 19, 2007 ewwwwwwwwwwww garlic ice cream??????? Yes it was ewwwwwwwwww. But I get to say I've had garlic ice cream!!! Bet you can't say that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted June 19, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 19, 2007 Got the treatment with the usuall gifts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExtraHye Posted June 19, 2007 Report Share Posted June 19, 2007 Got the treatment with the usuall gifts. Awwwww how sweeeeet. What did you get, what did you get. Just kidding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted June 19, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 19, 2007 Awwwww how sweeeeet. What did you get, what did you get. Just kidding. Single or single minded bottles. Hi Mosjan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vava Posted June 19, 2007 Report Share Posted June 19, 2007 Worked but came home to dinner & wine sitting on the table for me. Then I had to change diapers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExtraHye Posted June 19, 2007 Report Share Posted June 19, 2007 Single or single minded bottles. Hi Mosjan I don't get it. I'm Amy not MosJan. Don't you think you've had a little too much to drink Yero jan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted June 19, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 19, 2007 I don't get it. I'm Amy not MosJan. Don't you think you've had a little too much to drink Yero jan. Not even one drop now that you mentioned I will help myself I got bottles but Mosjan will get the joke. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExtraHye Posted June 19, 2007 Report Share Posted June 19, 2007 Not even one drop now that you mentioned I will help myself I got bottles but Mosjan will get the joke. Sharing is caring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted June 19, 2007 Report Share Posted June 19, 2007 Sharing is caring. wan promoting Yeravnt The Grate to Moderator we ( me and the MOd's ) had one condition that Yeravnt from the moment of becoming a mod - will take Care of all of the lady problems in our forum - Specially the one and only ( sorry i cat say the name ) all we had to do is gave him a MOD and Half Empty bottle of wine ( Portfane ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExtraHye Posted June 19, 2007 Report Share Posted June 19, 2007 wan promoting Yeravnt The Grate to Moderator we ( me and the MOd's ) had one condition that Yeravnt from the moment of becoming a mod - will take Care of all of the lady problems in our forum - Specially the one and only ( sorry i cat say the name ) all we had to do is gave him a MOD and Half Empty bottle of wine ( Portfane ) Let me guess..... ummmmmmmmmm is it me???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted June 19, 2007 Report Share Posted June 19, 2007 not even close your only #1 in my and Yervant's list Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted June 19, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 19, 2007 Let me guess..... ummmmmmmmmm is it me???? No wonder you are the "1st admin" you do a fine job of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExtraHye Posted June 19, 2007 Report Share Posted June 19, 2007 No wonder you are the "1st admin" you do a fine job of it. That isn't the only thing I'm good at. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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