Oxnard— I hope all the Dads in the County have a great Father’s Day and enjoy their greatest gift ever: having sons and daughters. T makes me think of my Dad, Ward Ryder Frost Junior, an astute businessman who, like me, made plenty of mistakes but, in time, figured it out and made peace with everyone.
Ward and Dolores were a typical married couple. They’d fight, and trust me, they were epic fights. I remember they mostly centered around that fourth martini Dad would have after arriving home from work. Clear Acrylic Chair
Conversely, when they faced financial trouble due to child support payments from my Dad’s first marriage, they’d park the fights and discuss solutions.
Honestly, my Dad was not a people person, and he had difficulty relating to me, a silly-hearted dreamer who made too many mistakes.
My Dad had a failed first marriage, like me, and did not have custody of his first children. I know it bothered him. Since it was long ago, he didn’t get the opportunity to share custody like I did with The Sarge and The Paramedic.
He didn’t get the opportunity to discuss differing opinions with his Dad, Ward Ryder Frost Senior, or his children, and we grew distant because we were different people.
I wasn’t a great student in grade or high school, and Dad couldn’t relate to this. Discussions turned into threats and punishments.
I snuck into College by a whisker, and when I chose to study Communications, I earned a Bachelor’s Degree; at my graduation dinner, Dad called it a complete waste of money.
Communication became vital to me because I lacked it in spades while growing up.
Unfortunately, I faltered like Dad and struggled with communication through two marriages.
In the end, although we have differing medical issues that affect us later in life, we both are reaching out to our children to talk and support. My Dad was alone because he and Ma were heavy smokers, and lung cancer ended her life.
We had good memories, of course, many that occurred later in life, and most were centered around happy hour, which he loved, along with the concept of buy one cocktail, get one free. We weren’t there to get inebriated. Dad told me that if I followed my passion to inform the public and never gave up, he believed I would have a long, successful career. It took a while, but I figured it out.
How am I like my Dad? We both made mistakes with our children, but along the way, I learned how important communication and acceptance are with your offspring.
The Sarge and The Paramedic are different than me, and they accept the silly-hearted dreamer in me as much as I accept their lives. They are great, successful men. I wish my Dad learned sooner how important communication is throughout life. I love him with all my heart and soul.
One day, I hope my kids experience one of the greatest gifts ever: being a Dad.
I could go on, but Dad would tell me to shut up and inform the public about what was going on. I attended the Hueneme Beach Car Show this weekend, a great event hosted by the Port Hueneme Police Explorers.
They’re learning a value system and a sense of family that will pay dividends throughout whatever field they pursue.
At City Hall, there are lots of changes in the City of Oxnard, so there will be a detailed story about all the improvements. I’ll also do a Fire Department story. My Dad and The Paramedic are former Firemen, and there’ll be plenty else to read about.
Happy Father’s Day in Heaven, Dad. By the time I carried you to your grave, we figured out how to appreciate each other.
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