Tuesday, April 15, 2003
Dad,<br> When I was young it was playing catch, the Red Sox, Celtic, Patriot and Bruin games. When I was young it was sailing, the dog Lucky, going to work with you on a summer day, family vacations, ski trips, 4th of July and Christmas. When I was a young man it was teaching me to shave, how to skipper the boat, what to say on a first date so I wouldn't embarrass myself and how to drive a stick shift. When I was a young man it was teaching me to laugh, how to use the grill and change the oil, how to cut the lawn (with the grain) and my first sip of beer. When I was a man it was take care of your family, it was mean what you say and say what you mean, political disagreements (you were a friend of Bill and I was a Ronnie Ranger) and it was always about the love you shared with me. <br> Dad, Damn Yankees was a silly play, your voice saying to Ed McCaferty that you were proud of me sustained me for years. There was a reason I went into the Army Dad, because it was an example of yours I could follow. There was a reason I asked you to be my best man, because you are. There was a reason I adopted two sons, because you showed me the way. There was a reason I named my son Thomas, because the world is a better place with a Tom Gallagher in it. Dad, you always have been and always will be, my hero. I love you.<br> Mark
