MALE INFLUENCES IN MY LIFE

Because of divorce, [my age was four] World War II [my age five] his death [my age ten] my father did not have a big influence on my life. In meeting a distant cousin late in life there is no question that I am a Tritschler descendant. It is simply amazing the characteristics that flow through the Tritschler clan. My father and I are pictured in photo one on the back steps of my Tritschler grandparents house.


My three biggest memories of my dad are
1--- A long distance phone call on a Sunday afternoon from either the Philippines are Japan. I was probably six.
2--- The night he returned from WWII either it was Christmas Eve or New Years Eve I think it was 1946.
3--- Going to the visitation and burial are still vivid memories even thought I was only ten.
My grandfather Ramsey in photo two along with me. No doubt had the biggest influence on my life.
I have so many fond memories of first living
living with them from age four to fourteen and then living in the same four family flat until my marriage.


Grandpa was a big man and he had rough hands from being a carpenter but when he touched you his hands felt sooooo gentle. When I was six I had my tonsils taken out and he carried me home from the hospital on his shoulders.
The last visit that Nancy and I had with grandpa he told her I was as much of a son as a birth son would be.
Pictured in photo three is my step-father Razz [his nick name]. Razz 's influence is for sure in my love for baseball. It would probably be safe to say I was not a good step -son. In looking back on my life I am sure he wanted to be a father to me but I was not very open to the idea.
The last photo is of my Uncle Bob and he had so many good influences on my life. I am sure my passion for all sports came from his influence. He took me to soccer games, football,games, hockey, basketball, boxing and I am sure I left a few out.

Three lessons that Uncle Bob taught me that stand out are.
1--- You do not have to be blood relatives to love each other.
2--- It does not have to be your birthday to receive a birthday cake. One January I had pnumonia and when I was well Uncle Bob brought me a birthday cake simply because I loved birthday cake [still do]and he felt it was time to celebrate.
3--- Giving of your time is more precious than gold and silver. Uncle Bob gave you flowers when you could still smell them.
Happy Fathers Day to all dads that happen to read this post.
Ed