A few weekends ago our family celebrated the life of my father-in-law by giving scholarships to two deserving young ladies. If my father-in-law was still alive he would've stood at the podium himself delivering an eloquent and amusing dedication addressing their personal hard work, importance of family, community citizenship and their Italian heritage.
I didn't meet my father-in-law until he was mostly retired and living at Clearlake. He was still teaching Spanish at the junior college in Lake County and absolutely loving it. His students loved him, too, even when towards the end he might've mixed some Italian in with the Spanish. They knew he wanted them to succeed. His love of education, friends and family, and his Italian heritage were always present.
When I first met my future father-in-law, my future mother-in-law fixed me a dinner of Pasta Bolognese at my then boyfriend's house. It was an honor and wonderful welcome since it was a favorite family recipe. I admired the love and respect they showed each other which reinforced the image I had of my then boyfriend.
Later when we would go visit my in-laws at Clearlake it almost always included some crappie, bass and catfish fishing. After the family's boat was retired for his Dad's safety, my husband would get a guide and take his Dad out bass fishing. The guide was always understanding of my father-in-law's limitations due to Alzheimer's, but they always had a good time and caught lots of fish.
My father-in-law's life was a life well lived and his legacy continues not only in his children and grandchildren, but also in the young women and men that receive scholarships in his name.