On May 31, 1918 a boy was born in Chicago to two
Hungarian immigrants, Barbola (Bessie) and Karoly (Charley). Bessie came to the United States as a servant,
Charley in the company of his father.
They left Chicago with their first-born, Louis, and moved to a small
farm outside of Sumrall, Mississippi. Louis was the oldest of their five
children and when he was 47 years-old he became the father to the youngest of his 7 children - me. In honor of what
would be his 100th birthday, an age I’m sure he would have loved to
have lived to see, I have come up with 100 ways to best describe him in my
eyes. Some words are contradictory to others in the list, but I think a person
can be two things at once and still be their true self. Some words are not very
complimentary, but if my daddy was anything it was honest and he would expect
me to be the same. Here it goes in no
particular order (deep breath):
American citizen,
Hungarian to the core, proud father, husband, uncle, devoted son, giddy grand-father, gentle, loyal, irascible, meek, straight-forward, brave,
unassuming, whimsical, God-fearing, crossword-puzzler, sentimental, dependable,
obedient, charitable, imaginative, shy,
blue-eyed, radiant smile, infectious laugh, austere, tender-hearted, boxer
short wearer, humane, gracious, animal-loving, Catholic, hero, medic, reserved,
Reservist, generous, penny-pincher, born dirt-poor, grumpy, obstinate, cat god, roof sweeper, never-changing, ice
washer, lawn-mower, joke teller, docile, unyielding, trustworthy, dutiful,
humble, resigned, quiet, handsome, devoted, patriotic, corny, nostalgic,
college-graduate, Veteran of Foreign War, intruder chaser, black sock wearer,
private, quirky, determined, sensitive, hoarder, security-guard, thrifty,
peculiar, introverted, Knight of Columbus, American Legionnaire, bingo-caller, retired,
unretired, cotton picker, Santa, story-teller, poem reciter, silly dancer, proud,
healthy, Depression survivor, ear-flipper, head-thumper, treatment giver, obedient,
tactless, bo-bo-healer, Easter-egg hider, true-friend, soft-spoken, irritable, blunt,
traditionalist, satisfied. Daddy.
Happy 100, Daddy! I’m sure you would be embarrassed to read
about yourself and make a fuss, but a little proud just the same. "Good evening, friends."
