My Dad was born a leader: the brother of five and the staple in a broken family full of issues. His father was a stubborn ass (excuse my language) and never gave my Dad the true childhood he deserved. At baseball games, my Dad stood alone. At school, my Dad stood alone. At life, my Dad stood alone. He was unnecessarily sent to military school and at one point in early development was given the role as father to his siblings as his parents battled through an ugly divorce. Yet his inner strength helped him to prevail through the toughest of times – and still helps him today.
My Dad left Lake Forest, Ill., for the University of Wisconsin-Madison, ready to begin his college life. He could have gone to any college in the world with his brains and academic background, but his Dad agreed to fund college if he attended UW. There, he met yet another challenge. After finishing his first year of college, his Dad cut him off and decided not to pay for college. His Dad was done supporting his son financially and had left him emotionally years ago. My Dad, once again, was left alone – left alone to find his own way in this tough, tough world. His family practically shitted on him, but, yet again, he prevailed. His life has been a blueprint for how to fight inner adversity, a strong characteristic he has worked very hard at passing on to his sons.
He moved back to Chicago and worked his ass off, figuring out a way to financially support himself through college at UIC and later put himself through a masters program at Northwestern – a school he got into with a near perfect score on the GRE.
After graduation, he got a job: a job that he quickly excelled at, and was quickly regarded as a go-to for many things. He was the man and he worked his ass off to get there.
Then, began his family.
On Nov. 23, 1980 his first son, Nicholas (that’s me), was born. He vowed never to treat his newly born son the same way his father had treated him. He vowed to be the best dad ever. He vowed to let his son battle, but never be held down.
My Dad was at every single baseball game I competed in. He went to every school event. He was there everyday. He was and will forever be a rock in my life. He is an inspiration and someone I can honestly call my hero.
He succeeded. And has done the same with his two other sons, AJ and Chris. But, statistically, he shouldn’t be at this level. Statistically he should be lost in the world, just living out his days until death. Statistically speaking, after battling through a rough childhood, he should not be successful, however, he has climbed to the top – further than anyone in his family. He shattered statistics to grow himself and three sons into great men – poised to be leaders in this world.
To all the sons and daughters out there who have had experiences similar to mine – give your Dad a hug, too. And to my Dad, thanks. I love you.
NP
