Hikes, Society

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY

Happy Father’s Day to all on the Turley Blog. I am spending a quiet day with the family (my Sunday morning dawn hike on Billy Goat trail was cut short by a barrier put up by the Park Service due to flooding).

I took Luna out for a 3 mile walk instead at 6 am and it was great.

I always think of my father, Jack Turley, on this day. As I grow older, I realize more and more how he shaped my life and my outlook so much by example. He was a quiet and brilliant man who taught me that a man is measured by his commitment to core principles. He never demanded anything or lectured his children. His only expectation was that we would pass along the Turley name to our children in as good as shape as he gave it to us. He was the most honorable man who I have ever known. It was not a labor for him to be principled. It came naturally to him. He became my ideal as a man and ultimately best friend.

We are shaped by our parents in a myriad of ways, even if we might have fought that influence at teenagers. Indeed, many of those who we read about on this blog came from families which lacked such positive influences at the critical stages of their lives. For those of us fortunate enough to have had loving fathers, this day reminds us of how truly fortunate we were.

Here is my favorite picture of my Dad as a young man, not long after returning from World War II.

IRS 4_14 letter 2

20 thoughts on “HAPPY FATHER’S DAY”

  2. Happy belated Father’s Day, Professor. I spent much of the weekend hiking around some nature preserves in the Kankakee sands region – saw some nice orchids growing down there.

    I noticed your dad has his hands stuffed into his pockets the same way you did in the photo of you at Zion. Is that a family trait or is that how you guys hang onto your cash?

  7. That is a great picture of your Father, Professor! He did a great job.
    Keebler,
    I love NCIS. You are spot on.

  8. Happy Father’s Day.

    Millions of Americans have similar pleasant memories and photographs.

    It is a good day.

  9. Happy Father’s Day, Jonathan, and thanks for taking the time to write today. You did get many good qualities from your old man, including a great crop of Irish hair!

  10. Thank you. We all can learn, we can all teach. Your mark is measured by those you touch in words and deeds.

    I don’t know if the are any NCIS fans here, but something the main characters have in common with a lot of folks is they all had dysfunction parent/child relations in which the children are successful and the parents had strong influences upon there lives.

  11. Happy Father’s Day, Professor Turley. Your father sounds like he was a treasure.

  14. Dan Fogelberg – Leader Of The Band (Live – 1991)

    The leader of the band is tired and his eyes are growing old
    But his blood runs through my instrument and his song is in my soul
    My life has been a poor attempt to imitate the man
    I’m just a living legacy to the leader of the band.

    Songwriters: Fogelberg, Dan

    http://youtu.be/9JdfLGM7G9Q

  16. Happy Fathers Day, Jonathan. On a side-note, are you sure there was flooding? According to some on here it should never flood again because of climate change.

  17. Your Name

    You got it from your father,
    t’was the best he had to give,
    And right gladly he bestowed it
    It’s yours, the while you live.

    You may lose the watch he gave you
    and another you may claim,
    But remember, when you’re tempted,
    to be careful of his name.

    It was fair the day you got it,
    and a worthy name to bear,
    When he took it from his father
    there was no dishonor there.

    Through the years he proudly wore it,
    to his father he was true,
    And that name was clean and spotless
    when he passed it on to you.

    Oh there’s much that he has given
    that he values not at all,
    He has watched you break your playthings
    in the days when you were small.

    You have lost the knife he gave you
    and you’ve scattered many a game,
    But you’ll never hurt your father
    if you’re careful with his name.

    It is yours to wear forever,
    yours to wear the while you live,
    Yours, perhaps some distant morn,
    another boy to give.

    And you’ll smile as did your father,
    with a smile that all can share,
    If a clean name and a good name
    you are giving him to wear.

    – Edgar A. Guest

  19. Happy Father’s Day to a wonderful father of four children. Enjoy your children today. Frank

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