[fred cook]

that I did as a Dad when my son was small (6 yrs old) was to enroll both of us in a martial arts class. We had the opportunity to train and practice together and go to tournaments. Between going to 3 classes a week and practicing at home, we had tons of that "quality time" together that seems to be so important. As the years went by we trained and promoted to each belt level together up to 3rd Degree Black Belt. Since so much of martial arts revolves around the life skills of honor, integrity, self respect, self control, perserverence, etc. that we developed a natural respect for one another that still exists today. When he got to be a teenager, there were none of the battles that most parents have with their teenagers. While he was growing up, he knew what his primary job in life was, to work hard and get good grades in school, not get into trouble, etc. The skills that he learned early on helped him (and me) to achieve his educational and social goals such that he was accepted into Georgia Tech, studied hard and graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He is now working in the engineering department of a major aircraft manufacturer.

My dad was special also. I remember him walking into our garage one Saturday while he was working on one of our cars, and while standing in the middle of the garage, looking around. I asked him what he was looking for and he said, "I don't know, but I will know when I see it." And, as usuall, he eventually spotted a small box of miscellaneous parts and found a piece that he could make work. Later, after I had been in the Navy, we used to sit on the porch and swap "war stories". He had been in the India/Burma/China theatre for about 2 years during WWII and had some great war stories about the Burma/Ledo road. I guess the thing that hit me the hardest after he died was that all of a sudden, I was the senior generation! Wow, how did that happen so fast? Now, where did that box of parts go?

Regards,