Please forgive the perhaps awkward sound of the following sentence. My Father’s Day is my father’s day. He died when he was 55 and I was 15. Then, now and always, he is the greatest gift my life has ever known.

He freed me into the world me of reading books. I tell you how in a moment. First, some background.

My dad was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey in 1914, served in the United States Army during World War II, and returned from the war to teach English at Columbia University and John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

Not surprisingly, both my parents loved reading books. When I watched them reading a book, I knew something magical was at work.

I wanted some of that magic too.

My dad had a bookshelf behind his desk that reached the ceiling. (I’ve never met a painting I find more beautiful than a bookshelf filled with books.)

My problem was, every time I tried to read one of the books, I couldn’t finish it. I knew that doomed me to a life without books!

So, I turned to my dad for help. I can’t remember how old I was, I’m guessing anywhere from eight to 10 years old. I went into his room. He was sitting behind his desk working on something.

I was never an unwanted interruption. (A gift of love on its own.)

I said, “I’m not a reader like you and mommy?”

“What makes you say that?”

“Every time I try to read a book, I can’t finish it.”

“What makes you think you have to finish it? You’re thinking homework, we’re talking about reading. I’ll tell you what. Let me ask you a question. Don’t you think the author has some responsibility to keep you interested?”

“Yes.”

I have no doubt I was smiling at him, and he was smiling at me. The coin had dropped.

He continued. “So, pick 10 books that look interesting to you and read them and if you lose interest, move on to the next one.”

The world of reading was, is, and always will be, one of life’s sanctuaries for me. Reading is part of nature itself. It has also been a source of knowledge, humor, and comfort for me all my life; all given to me by my father.

Happy Father’s Day, Dad.