Dick Tracy, Batman, Valentine's Day and Mom & Dad

Although he never quite explained why, my Dad loved Valentine's Day.  More often than not he would take the opportunity to either give each one of us a special gift or spend some special time with us.  Some time before Valentines Day in 1967 Dad was telling me about how he grew up before there were comic books.  He told me about having the original Big Little Books.  I was fascinated by them.  That year Whitman came out with a new incarnation of Big Little Books.  Dad brought me home the three pictured above.  But the cool part was that he knew just what I was into.  He was always like that.  So was my Mom.  They would sit and listen to the Beatles or Elvis with me. 

One of my favorite stories about Mom and Dad is the day we bought the new stereo.  It was a Saturday and we were in the living room listening to a record.  "Dad, listen to that hiss!  We need a new needle!"  He said, "Rita, we've got to get a new needle!"  She said, "How much is that going to be?"  "Ten bucks!"

An hour later:  "Hello, Rita!  Can you get the door?  Gotta great bargain!  Only $350!"  This was 1972.  $350 was a small fortune.  Mom:was speehless.  Finally she said, "I thought you were getting a new needle."

"We did...new needle, new speakers, new everything...plus three free records and a pair of headphones!"

She had to sit down.

I piped up, "I think I'll put the old cabinet in my room."

Dad said, "Good idea!"

Mom found her voice, "Oh no you don't!  For $350 you can listen to the Beatles

in the living room!"

They had a similar experience when he bought the boat.  He didn't dare just

drive up with it.  So he said, "Rita, come take a ride with me."  They endd up

selling the boat so they could put in an in-ground pool at the new house.  Mom

had lawn furniture in her living room for a year.  But they were both always think-

ing about what was good for the family.

Another Valentine's Day saw my Dad taking me to a custom car show where Adam West was doing an in-costume personal appearance.  I've since lost my "auto-graphed" photo; but it didn't matter.  His "autograph" was pre-printed and then he

just personalized it to me.  Adam West kind of let me down that day, but my Dad never did.

Neither did my Mom.  The best Valentine I ever got was from my Mom...and it wasn't even Valentine's Day.  One day in Eigth grade I came home to find a brand new Magnavox portable TV on my dresser.  A new business had oppened up and had these little sets on sale.  There wasn't any special occasion, she just loved me.

When I think about the many surprises from both of them over the years, big surprises and small, that are far to numerous to list or number here, I come to one

conclusion:  At our house almost every day was Valentine's Day.  Most of the gifts are gone.  The only thing that remains constant is the love.