Ron Penczak

     From the first Father’s Day after Christopher’s birth, Rosalie always made it a big day in my life. She would give me a nice gift, beautiful cards that expressed the day in a most loving way and always served a special meal, always one of my favorites. She made me feel as though I was the father-of-the-year every Father’s Day.
     As our son Christopher got older, he was able to participate more actively, like selecting cards and probably helped in selecting my gifts.
     Since Rosalie’s passing, Christopher has carried on what she started, always gifting me with something nice on Father’s Day. The cards he selects oftentimes brings me to tears. No, he doesn’t cook me a meal. That’s one of the few things he didn’t pick up from Rosalie.
Rosalie deserves all the credit for raising such an outstanding man. She was not only his mother, but caregiver, administrator, editor and most importantly, his best friend. Well, as she once said, she was his editor and critiqued his writings until they became too advanced and beyond her comfort zone. She took care of the house, me, Christopher, paid the bills and most importantly raised Christopher to be his own man, always encouraging him to pursue his dreams.
     Being a Type A personality incentivized me to work hard to provide for my family. I was driven and wanted to rise professionally. I have no complaints about my professional career, but I’m sorry that I wasn’t more like Rosalie and smart enough to stop and smell the roses. In hindsight I wish I had spent more time with our small family. Oh sure, we enjoyed wonderful vacations. We even took Christopher to Hong Kong on our 25th Wedding Anniversary. There were a number of vacations to Hawaii, the West Coast, Texas, Disney World and Disney Land. Naturally, I attended all of his school award ceremonies and celebrations and his graduations from high school, college and many of his gigs when he had a band. Yet, because of my frequent travels and extended business trips I missed so much of his day to day activities. I now regret that.
    If I had the chance to experience a do-over, I’d like to believe I would take the time to be in synchronization with the loves of my life, Rosalie and Christopher.
Christopher has been an adult for a number of years and has a successful career, two wonderful, loving, caring partners. He has been successful with his writings, teachings and his ministry. I am happy and proud of what he does, how hard he works and the respect he has earned from his peers and friends.
     It’s funny, years ago as a husband and father, I was the take charge guy, especially when it came to vacations. I made the airline, auto and hotel reservations, guided the family through the airports, hotels and more.
     Now that I’ve been retired for 17 years and no longer a husband and, as some have said, elderly, Christopher has taken over the role of being in charge. Now he leads, and I follow. The role reversal suits me just fine.
    Strangely enough, when we first started to travel after Rosalie’s passing, we visited three of the places she and I wanted to visit, Ireland, Greece and Italy. I wonder if Rosalie conveyed these trips through Christopher. All wonderful trips. I’m sure Rosalie watched over us and I hope she gained some satisfaction from our travels.
     Another thing I began to notice years ago, and it has been emphasized more recently, is how intelligent my son and his friends are. I listen to him, his partners, friends and acquaintances talk about different things, politics, social issues and more. They make me realize there is hope for our society and nation and that many of his peers, those following my generation, are intelligent and want to make the Universe a better place. The news these days depresses me and makes me fear for our nation. I’m glad I’ve had the opportunity from time to time to listen to my son and his friends, as they give me hope for the future.
     Christopher much wiser than I could explain, has made me a better person, a more caring, more generous and kinder person. The advice, his thoughts and ideas that he passes on to me every so often have been helpful. I do appreciate his help and assistance in all that he does for me. Again, I see so many of Rosalie’s attributes in him that I’m so thankful that she chose to marry me and to have her gift Christopher with all her life’s values.
     Christopher is not only a superb writer but an excellent debater as well. Christopher spent 12 years attending parochial schools and at each school he was always questioning the catholic religion. On two separate occasions, mercy meals we were attending, we were seated with catholic priests. Christopher, having a different viewpoint on religion ended up discussing a number of issues, and the bible with both priests. The debates were pleasant and there was no winner or loser, but both priests made similar comments. Both said they enjoyed the discussion and were hoping that they could continue the debates at another time. Christopher holding his own with two, for the most part, elderly theologians.
     In conclusion, I would like to give a shout-out to Christopher. He has made my life so much better, has encouraged me to try things I wouldn’t have. I’d like to thank him for all that he has done to make me a better person and a more relaxed person. I’m not where I’m where I want to be, but I’m getting there and Christopher is the one helping me to be who I’m hoping to be. Here’s a SHOUT OUT TO YOU ON THIS FATHER’S DAY JUNW 20, 2020 CHRISTOPHER J. PENCZAK! I LOVE YOU! I’M THANKFUL AND GRATEFUL THAT YOU ARE MY SON!