This past week’s tragedies in Orlando reminded me how precious life is and how important it is to tell the people you care about that you love them — and it starts with you dad.
On this Father’s Day, I’m blessed to have an incredible father, step dad, grandfather, father-in-law and husband who my boys adore. Each one has played such an instrumental role in my life. But let’s face it — today the ultimate toast goes to my dad, Jay.
Growing up everything always needed to be a life lesson. I can vividly remember my dad telling me, “Other kids eat cotton candy but Cashmans eat nails.” He wanted my sister and I to feel we could do anything a boy could do if not better. He was determined to raise strong women.
I remember all the crazy summer jobs he enlisted my sister Erica and I to undertake, including cement finisher on a bridge job, getting paid per bag full of trash we picked up at the East Boston Shipyard, sweeping sand, pumping gas at a marina (my favorite job) and cleaning dirty construction offices (my least favorite).
It seemed unfair as a young kid to work on the weekends, but that’s where my dad was and he wanted to spend time with us and show us the value of hard work. As an adult I realize the value in all those jobs. I desperately wanted to be a lifeguard but my dad insisted that I go with him to work at his job — probably so he could keep a close eye on me and also to remind me that life isn’t a beach.
He has consistently expressed the importance of a good work ethic. Even if you are not the smartest person in the room find a way to outsmart them with dedication and a never give up attitude.
He has put the wind behind my sails my whole life, along with my amazing mom.
I don’t want to give the impression that it was all work and no play. My dad to this day is always the life of the party and has been known to do some outrageous things in order to get a good laugh. Whether it’s a great meal, gorgeous sunset, or hot summer’s day with not a cloud in the sky, he reminded us to slow down and take it all in.
Family is everything to my dad. I just hope I can live my life to the fullest so he never feels he wasted all those life lessons on deaf ears.
Dad, I love you!
My heart goes out to anyone who has lost a parent and feels a little less whole today.
Jaclyn Cashman is co-host of the “Morning Meeting” show on Herald Radio.
