THE BEST GIFT

FATHER's DAY WAS THE BIGGEST HAUNT in and around our post-Vietnam and Philippine War-era household. Men had not yet returned from overseas military assignments to which they were drafted... forced to leave home and family, to defend oppressed populations somewhere on another side of the world. Some were held in P.O.W. Camps of Cambodia. Rambo and Swartzenegger were not coming to their rescue on or off film. Some were more distanced from their family's mental stress for worries at home and in-home in the absence of "dad" where mom had to struggle alone or under the glaring of taunting eyes and smirks because "mom ain't got her man or a man," and children waiting for an explanation of whether they had a father or not. Those who were not yet born when he left under orders of the government, could never claim to know who a father was. While family wrestled at home with whichever oppression befell them, "Dad" wrestled with the likes of Agent Orange and land mines. After the Korean War concluded some were further directed to the Philipines where so many endured the Death march... never making it back home until the happenstance of that nation relented and the fathers of America were let to come back home to what was left of family... if he survived.

When the Korean War concluded and President Truman relieved General MacArthur from duty causing his military command to release thousands of troops to their homes in the United States; it was the first time many children saw someone they could label "dad." It was the first time children in our family and countless others ever saw a father in their midst. As for myself, several uncles, cousins, and a father appeared after the Vietnam War. Some continue to say they were "lucky" or "blessed" to be alive... so many were killed in the attempt at assisting peoples of other nations with achieving liberty.

Today, most of those are dead and gone from the likes of Agent Orange or complications that developed after torn limbs from landmines. Today we fare well to have a competent conversation with one who may have survived to this age in spite of PTSD, shell shock or tendency toward alcohol or drugs in his attempt at escaping memories of whee he was or what he did there. as for myself... a father after army in the auspices of Korea and after the temporary spill back into the Philippines then out again brought promotions for music, musicians and the stage scenario. Reacquaintance with friends before departure brought a focused interest in real estate leasing to government entities and residential properties on a more slighted level. In that, the consideration for "Miranda Writing" what? came to light. In being his "Miranda... doing or does what" cutting short a career in journalism and curbing it to fit real estate and common cause with a "dear old dad" in an attempt at being like most sons who dare to desire to fill their own urgent need to be a light in their father's mindsight, REAL ESTATE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT became what Miranda could do and love it. For him? ...it was an ultimate challenge.. a threat to his prowess, his profession, and skill set. I was not filling a "need for a son or offspring following in his shoes" I was the ADVERSARY... what he needed and what excited him. So Be IT. HAPPY FATHER'S DAY! The enemy ... the threat to skill... the REASON TO RUN, faster. Past the double-layer dream of real estate mogul and land developing/property management, the business spread went on. With the help of the NAACP and his seat on the board in Detroit, acquaintances apprised him with talent which he promptly made connections happen for them in their lite of work... entertainment. Sometimes he dated, most times not. Once he married. In that, I did not sing or play music. I did not act in short stance pretense. I had to be really serious about what I was doing and unfortunately independent with it. I was his best in-house competition... what every father wants; after PEACE ON EARTH.