By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

As Father’s Day approached, I was reminded of a sketch that probably tells the story for many of us.

The drawing shows two black silhouettes.

On the left, a son.

On the right, a father.

The son’s silhouette is almost complete, but purposely missing one “piece.” It is marked by a white square.

The father’s silhouette is far from complete. He’s missing many “pieces.” Yet he is reaching his hand, holding a square-shaped piece that will perfectly fit his son’s void, outward toward his son.

Without a single word, the picture is powerful and relatable.

And could just as easily be a silhouette of a daughter.

If your father is like mine, you know that his silhouette has pieces missing.

The result of countless arm extensions to hand pieces over without a second thought or concern.

In time, some of the pieces are shared back, but as a son or daughter, we will always be chasing to catch up with being even.

It is a game father’s will always win because they have already lived decades of sacrifices before we realize just how many pieces we have been given.

I have been lucky to be put far behind in my game.

Thank you, Dad.

••••••

In 2013, my mother introduced a Thanksgiving tradition that we simply call “The Thankful Book.”

Presented as a journal, the book is shared amongst us each year, with each family member writing a new entry or list of what they were thankful for that year.

I have a picture saved of my Grandpa Joe’s entry from 2015.

It read like this:

Portage Sports owner Tom Nader (right) is shown delivering the 2022-23 High School Basketball Preview magazine to his Grandfather, Joe, at his assisted living home in Streetsboro.

Marion Joseph (Joe) Daniels. Son of Leo and Leta. Born Feb. 15, 1934 to loving parents during The Great Depression. Thankfully, I was never cold, hungry or unloved.

Grandfather, Father, Great Grandfather.

Married to my high school sweetheart for 61 years. The most loving and caring woman on Earth.

Love dearly and proud of all my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

God has blessed me all of my life. I now thank every day that he gives me to enjoy my loving family. I look forward to each day to talk with and see my family.

Grateful to God.

Joe, Dad, Grandpa, Great Grandpa.

His entry was simple, yet powerful.

Even more so now following his death last summer.

His entry is absent of any reference of occupational power, financial well-being, cars, houses, personal accomplishments or social status.

His words, though, tell the clear story of a 90-year-old man, who was filled with wealth of the best kind.

His words were never written with the thought that they would end up in a column, but they carried too much weight for them to only be read by a small group.

My hope was that his words would inspire someone else.

He sure inspired me.

Thank you, Grandpa.