I wonder what it feels like to have lived nearly a century... On June 9th, 2011, my dad Peter turned a still-handsome 90 years-old. If not for the Parkinson's Disease that restricts his mobility, I would still be running behind him, trying to keep up, amazed at his ability to charm women of all ages with his European chivalry.
To this day, he melts hearts with his gallant mannerisms, such as kissing the hand of the lady he is introduced to. He has a slightly naughty smile, as if there was some secret behind it that he is choosing not to share...his eyes still twinkle, and they squint as he smiles. I remember my mom telling me how irresistable he was to her with his dashing resemblance to movie star Errol Flynn. -He even grew a mustache for her when she mentioned that to him.
In scrapbooking this tribute to him in the Heritage Album I created as a gift for my family, I focused on his transformation from his humble beginnings as a farm-boy in rural Hungary to a college-educated engineer, specializing in metallurgy.
He bravely guided his family of six across the border to escape communism when the Hungarian Revolution of 1956 failed, and set up a new life for them here in America. Below, he is celebrated by his family, years before the passing of his loving wife, Edith, on their 50th Wedding Anniversary.
Today, he resides in New Hampshire with his daughter, Ildi, and his son-in-law, artist Erick Ingraham. He is seen below at last weekend's 90th Birthday Celebration, with his grandson Attila and his great-grandson, Rigel.
HAPPY FATHERS' DAY, APU!
Thank you for all you have done for your family, and thank you for being you.
With hugs from you daughter, Enikö
