Eileen "Minkie" Dibler

Over the last few years, I have become used to my dad saying that he is the “luckiest” man in the whole world, but honestly, there is no doubt that I am the luckiest daughter in the world to have him as my dad, a remarkable man who would never see himself that way.

In childhood, life unfolds in its typical way without much self-reflection, and it is not until the years go by that you realize the profound parental influences that worked their way into your conscious and subconscious thoughts. Take reading, for example. I know that I was read to as a toddler but I don’t really remember a parent sitting bedside and reading to me as a two-year old or a three-year old. However, when my eight-year old self started sharing a bedroom with my three-year old sister Sheila in our new home in Newtown Square, my dad would sit on the floor between our twin beds and regale her with nightly bedtime stories. Lying in the other bed, I soon became an avid listener to some classic stories that felt like I was hearing them for the first time. Dad was quite the raconteur and made the stories come to life with imitative sounds, accents, meaningful pauses, emphasis, and occasional observations about life. He was always careful to start with the title and author - The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter, for instance - and that’s how looking back, I came to know that a book’s title and authorship were significant. But it was the way he presented and told the stories that added value and importance to every story and bestowed upon me the blueprint of how to read, really read, with an inner voice. When he read Heidi by Johanna Spyri, a chapter a night, I was transported to the Swiss Alps and a unique set of characters, some of whom were cruel, selfish, and emotionally troubled but most of whom were saved by the kindness and goodness of little Heidi. I’m pretty sure I aspired to be her. Many other stories and poems followed, and whether it was reading material, stargazing, gardening, or interesting vocabulary words, I entirely credit him with opening doors to the wonders of the world. I can never thank this free-spirited and loving man enough. Hope you have a wonderful birthday, Dad.