Remembering my father

Last month, for Mother’s Day, I shared with you some of the wisdom my mother has passed on to me and my sisters and brother.
This month, I’ll share the comedy stylings of my father. Although he passed away in February 1998, his zany memories are still alive and well!
Petty Officer 1st Class Odell Stewart, United States Navy
1. He knew everyone and they all owed him $5.
No matter what historical figure I learned about in school, my father’s response was always the same: “Oh, yeah, Abraham Lincoln! I knew him when he grew up in Cherry Hill. He still owes me 5 dollars!”
Yup, everyone!
2. “Trying don’t make it, making it makes it.”
This one confused me for a long time. He got this unique saying from back whether was in the Navy. I take it he didn’t really understand it either! But if you think you can figure it out, let me know in the comments section!
3. It’s okay to talk to the television.
We’ve all done it at some point. Usually when watching a game or game show, but we have all talked and yelled at the tv. But for the longest time, he was the only one in our house that did, so it was a little unusual to me. After all, they can’t hear you! Luckily we have all carried on this crazy habit with my mom being the worst offender during a Ravens game!
4. You have to be able to laugh at yourself.
I suppose if he thought you had to be serious all the time, he would not have referred to himself as “Odell Marshall Stewart, King of the World.”
Yes, he really did call himself that. I think that’s all I need to say about that!
5. The car driver is in charge of the music.
Okay, this was one of those rules to keep my sister and I from asking to listen to something other than Magic 95.9. And since there were no iPods back then, we weren’t allowed to listen to personal tape players or radios either.
My how times have changed! Now, even though I may be in charge of the radio, someone’s iPhone is probably tuning out my awesome playlist or Radio Disney.
So, although we lost my father early, his memory is still very much alive in what we say and what we do.
Tell me about the crazy things your dad has said and done! 
My father’s coffin flag and medals.

Catholic Review

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