We asked around the office for some reflections on Father’s Day. We hope you enjoy them. We are grateful for all the fathers out there, and most importantly, our Heavenly Father!
(Also if you need any last-minute gift ideas we’ve got you covered:
1. ESPN’s 30 for 30 box set
2. Unlimited naps for a week
3. OR something from our Gift Catalog in his honor!)
–Robin Mahfood, CEO/President:
“My Father taught me his Philosophy for life: ‘Everything in Moderation.’
I passed on this knowledge to my children.”
-Jaime Rodriguez, Speakers Bureau:
Jaime reflected on one of his favorite memories of fatherhood — when he learned his young son, Alberto, had tried one of Jaime’s cigars! Now in his 30’s, Alberto is about to be married.
Hear Jaime share his story during lunch in the Food For The Poor cafeteria:
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–Jennifer Picinich, Planned Giving:
“My father, Jim DeGraff, taught me by example to stand up for myself, to not be afraid, to be strong, and to believe in God. He lived for Jesus the second half of his life; and he died in March 2011 with peaceful, happy anticipation, knowing where he was going. I miss my ‘Papa’ but I know I will see him again.”
–Bambi Ziadie, Church and School Department:
“My dad always used to say to me, ‘It is better for you to have common sense as you face life than intellect, and you have a lot of common sense so you will be OK and you will do well.’ That statement has always stayed with me throughout my life and given me comfort [and] a sense of affirmation on all that I do.
“And another one that always makes me smile is ‘Chicken Merry Hawk Deh Near.’
I was born and raised in Jamaica ‘til I was 14, so this was one of the Jamaican proverbs he used to love to use on my sister and I to let us know that our roughhousing or being mischievous and hatching some grand scheme was soon going to result in him putting us in punishment. At a high level, it means that one must still exercise caution even in times when everything seems perfect.
I often think of that proverb in various areas of life. My dad has always loved to use Jamaican proverbs, biblical proverbs and just general sayings to get his messages across to us — there are too many to list. My family, friends and Jamaicans on a whole still use that proverb and many others still ‘til this day in everyday life.
John Lennon said it in another way: ‘Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.’
Be merry. But be prepared for the unexpected.”
-Angel Aloma, Executive Director:
“My father was a gentle, sweet man who never spoke badly of anyone. He loved his children and loved playing with us — even as teenagers he would pass by us and tickle us. I never heard him swear, gossip or lie. His patience was infinite with his children and with my mother (which was not always easy!)
He taught me the value and beauty of sacrifice for your children. Up until the age of 8, he would come into our (my brother and I) room early in the morning and put on our shoes and socks while we slept so that we might have an extra 10 minutes! He sat every evening with us at the dining table to make sure that we were doing our homework.
He always stressed that education was the only thing that no one could take away from you, and we proved him correct as we migrated from Cuba and then Jamaica. My father passed from this world as gently as he lived in 1995, and now, 17 years later, a day hardly passes that I don’t miss him.”
– Silvia Sauve, Donor Relations (Silvia’s daughter [also Silvia] wrote this about her dad, Ernest, one of FFP’s great Speakers):
What is your favorite Father’s Day memory?
Being able to celebrate the day with Ernie is a memory in itself. Without him, Father’s Day would pass rather quietly for me, and leave a dent in my morale—as it does for every daughter that does not have a father with her on this wonderful day.
What is the best part about being a daughter?
Receiving both love and exhortation (which must go hand-in-hand) from the same source is probably the best part. When I am tired, Ernie is there to make me laugh with his corny jokes. When I am stressed, he prays for me so that God will renew my strength and give me the grace to finish well whatever I started. When I do something wrong, Ernie makes sure I understand what I did in order for me to correct my character.
What is the most important lesson your father has taught you?
“God is the source, not a resource” is one of the best lessons he has taught me. In the B.E. (before Ernie) times, to me, God was an all-powerful mighty being that was very abstract and distant. Now, He is still all-powerful and mighty, but very much involved in my daily life and closer than anything else. Everything I have, I have by His grace, and Ernie helped me recognize that. Thank you, Ernie!
– Carol Collins, Special Events:
Her father’s wise advice to Sean, Carol’s son: “Sean, always listen to your Mother and Father, they know best.”
Her husband’s advice to Meaghan, their daughter: “Meaghan, remember this Holy and special day. Keep God forever in your life.”