Monday, October 1, 2012
A few years ago I had to give a speech at a charity event. The point was to inspire the audience to give back. I decided to talk about my mother and how she was the one who taught me about what it means to "give back". Her influence on me was great in that respect as well as many other aspects of my life and I shared with the audience how it had shaped me. She was an amazing woman who gave unconditionally to so many and changed the lives of those she touched right up to her passing in the mid-90s. My mother was able to do such good things in her life in great part to the fact that behind her stood an equally giving man...my father. Dad too was kindhearted and spent much of his life supporting my mother in her various causes. From collecting box tops for school supplies to gathering can goods for homeless shelters to simply writing checks to the humane society, veterans funds, international orphanages and so on, Dad scoffed and complained about the time and money but nonetheless kept on giving right along side my mother. He covered up his big soft heart with wise cracks and humor most of the time but still whipped out the check book and allocated his precious scarce free time to help others whenever he could. As with most things in life, I didn't realize how special my Dad was until I had grown up and started a life on my own. I quickly understood how special it was that he took me in as an toddler when he was 41 years of age and probably wanting to move past diapers and child seats and enjoy a little more financial freedom. I finally appreciated his endless lectures on saving money, his tips on car care, his meticulous cleaning habits and his loyalty to friends and family. I was my father's daughter in every sense of the word and had adopted most of his habits as if I were his own. And to that point, there wasn't a day in his life that he ever referred to me as anything but his daughter. There was no caveat or explanation as to why I didn't look like the rest of the family although I know people often wondered. He stood tall and acted as if we were all blood and treated me the same. My Dad was a stubborn man but sweet through and through. The ladies loved him (much to my mother's dismay), his co-workers respected him and his friends always wanted to be around him. He was always quick to recite an old forgotten limerick, sing a funny little ditty or start a random food fight if the situation was stale. He could be serious and fun, strict but loving, charming and dorky all at once. For the most part, my Dad was a quiet man who only spoke up when absolutely necessary but loud every night as he fell asleep on the couch snoring with his mouth hanging open. He loved the outdoors, he was dedicated to his community and put family before all else. My father's passing this week has left a void in life for my sister and I who mistakenly thought he would be around for many more years. Like every other challenge in life, he faced his final days without complaints, with a few funny jokes and was clean shaven and determined. He knew he had a good run and was at peace with seeing it come to an end. He bid farewell to my sister, his wife and me and went to sleep with his mouth hanging open one last time. He will be missed but forever loved.
Gerald Lamont Gage
July 25, 1929-September 25, 2012