<div><em><strong><img alt="Fathers & sons: Henry Frederick Jr with Henry Frederick; Henry Frederick with Henry IV / Headline Surfer / Headline Surfer" height="250" src="/sites/nsbnews.net/2013/Dad%20and%20Dad%20copy.png" style="float:left; margin:5px" width="442" />Family photo</strong></em><strong>s / Henry Frederick, as shown in this 1964 photo when he was 2 years old, with his father, Henry Frederick Jr., in Putnam, Conn. And in the second pic is the son, Henry Frederick, with his own son, Henry Frederick IV, then 2 1/2, as shown from Yankee Stadium in 1995. </strong></div>
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<div>By HENRY FREDERICK</div>
<div>Headline Surfer</div>
<div>Column: People, Places & Things</div>
<p>NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. -- I grew up in a black and white world in a small Connecticut town where it was father knows best. He was the ruler, disciplinarian, teacher, and provider.</p>
<p>Of the seven children, he was toughest on me. Expectations were high and I often resented it.</p>
<p>Years later, or should I say decades, I realized why. It's because he believed in me. He believed in the untapped potential. First one on both sides to attend and graduate college. The first one with a career.</p>
<p>I never heard the praises, only the criticisms: Always critical. Always pushing. Always demanding. For me, college was an escape; a chance to spread my wings. To make my own way in the world, even if it was two hours away.</p>
<p>I was in a dorm. I could pick my own classes. I could join whatever club or activity I wanted, though it was obvious it would be the college newspaper. It was my favorite pursuit and I stuck with it all four years, the latter two as the editor.</p>
<p>Even though I had a full scholarship, I had a part-time job as a janitor so I had my own spending money. Never one to take the easy route, I had a double major in political science and public administration and a concentration in writing. That meant being on campus year-round with winter and summer sessions.</p>
<p>My father wanted the best for me, but what he may not have realized is I wanted the best for myself, too. I wasn't doing this for him or my mother or the family name. Still, I always nodded approvingly because father knows best. At graduation, the unexpected happened that had my father understand that I was ready for the world. I was recognized with the President's Citation" for "highest academic achievement and outstanding service to the university and the community."</p>
<p>My father wanted the best for me, but what he may not have realized is I wanted the best for myself, too. I wasn't doing this for him or my mother or the family name. Still, I always nodded approvingly because father knows best.</p>
<p>At graduation, the unexpected happened that had my father understand that I was ready for the world. I was recognized with the President's Citation" for "highest academic achievement and outstanding service to the university and the community."</p>
<blockquote>
<p><strong>My father wanted the best for me, but what he may not have realized is I wanted the best for myself, too. I wasn't doing this for him or my mother or the family name. Still, I always nodded approvingly because father knows best. </strong></p>
<p><strong>At graduation, the unexpected happened that had my father understand that I was ready for the world. I was recognized with the President's Citation" for "highest academic achievement and outstanding service to the university and the community."</strong></p>
</blockquote>
<p>For this award, I received a certificate and a marble block with the fancy inscription. I gave the latter to my dad. That was 28 years ago. To this day, he keeps it on his bookcase.</p>
<p>After having a son of my own, now 18, I realized why my father was so hard on me. I do smile when I hear second hand how he brags about all of my achievements. Deep down inside, I realize, he played a big part in helping me to become who I am today.</p>
<p>My brothers and sisters lost our mom nine years ago, but we still have our dad; as strong-willed today as he was when I was a child. We're all grown now with our own families and responsibilities, the youngest my sister, Paula, who just turned 41.</p>
<p>These days, two months shy of 74, he enjoys riding his Harley-Davidson Road King and still playing the role of "Father Knows Best." But instead of being two hours away at college, I'm more than 1,200 miles away. </p>
<p>Later this summer, I'm going to go see him and we're going to visit the campus of Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, where I made the transition from college kid to the real world. I sometimes find myself doing the same with my son, hoping deep inside that I did enough to instill in him what he needs to succeed.</p>
<p>When in doubt, I can turn to my dad, even now at the ripe old age of 50. After all, father knows best.</p>
<div><strong>Column posted: 2012-06-17 15:53:38</strong></div>
<div>Editor's Note: This column was among three to win <a href="https://headlinesurfer.com/content/2012-journalism-awards-henry-frederi…">first place in Blog Writing in the 2012 Florida Press Club journalism contest</a>.</div>