My father, who would have turned one hundred and one years old today, always had “a twinkle in his eye.”
His brother-in-law, my Uncle Ralph, wrote at least three books on Abraham Lincoln: Lincoln, What He Stood For, Abraham Lincoln and the Western Territories and Lincoln Quotat (a collection of Lincoln sayings). Uncle Ralph was tall and thin – a lively man who taught speech and debate and, of course, quoted Lincoln at every turn.
And so, this morning as I fuddled about with some bills that needed paying I watched the HBO Max series: Lincoln, Divided We Fall. This series covers Lincoln’s entire life but primarily challenges the myth of Lincoln as a willing and eager abolitionist. While he always felt slavery was an abomination,
He began politics believing that the black race was inferior and that the two races could never peacefully coexist. The expansion of slavery to new territories was the issue that forced him to listen to his heart over his head. If they couldn’t erase slavery without severe consequences, they must not allow the abomination to spread. It was Frederick Douglass who convinced him the black man was not inferior and so he changed his mind. Changed his mind. Imagine. Such an impossible thing for a politician to do in this era of nonstop armchair quarterbacking.
Anyway Happy Birthday Dad. If there is an afterlife, I imagine you’re listening to Uncle Ralph tell another Lincoln anecdote, or perhaps debating the man himself! Wish I was there.
Saying nothing in particular 
Happy birthday to your adorable dad, Jan.
Thank you!
The photo of your father is a great one.
He was one of those rare men who actually got better looking with age.
Nice picture or you and Dad. I like the memory and tribute.
Unfortunately I couldn’t find a picture of Uncle Ralph
Great post and tribute. Wow, when I saw the picture of your father, it reminded me of the famous Mexican actor Andrés García. The similarity is incredible.
I see what you mean.
Right?
Your dad does have a twinkle! My dad was a history teacher, not an author like your uncle, but he loved to expound on various wars, events, generals, etc. We hesitated to ask him even simple questions because hours later we would still be hearing exact details of what we’d asked him about. I miss him every day!
We really need a lot more history buffs – in my opinion, most Americans are willfully ignorant of the past. What was your Dad’s favorite period? My husband is a WWII buff (with a bit of Civil War enthusiasm thrown in).
I agree! I think dad’s was the Civil War or WWI. His father, an immigrant from Scotland/UK joined the US Army during WWI when he wasn’t even a citizen. He ended up in France. Since Dad was born in 1928, WWII hit very close to home for him. He was too young to join up but many young men in his small town went to war and some didn’t return.
The town where my mother grew up lost more that 3/4s of their young men to WWII. Many of them were newly minted citizens as well. So many Americans forget that we owe our freedom to immigrants.
I can see your father’s twinkle. He was a handsome man…
💕
When he was a teenager he was plump and awkward around girls – something he never got over even after he developed his twinkle.
I reckon that’s the only time a politician ever changed his mind…. Even more importantly he changed it to the correct way of thinking.
I can’t see that happening today … Anywhere in the world 💜💜💜
Lincoln was from an area that didn’t have slaves and so his early prejudices were based on ignorance. I’m not sure if he really changed his mind about the equality of the races but he did recognize the “abomination” of slavery which some people don’t understand to this day.If we don’t allow politicians to change their views based on knowledge and experience then we deserve the ignorant policies they enact, don’t we!
Yes indeed I agree with you . They always seem to bend the truth 💜😔
Thank you Jan, for the nice tribute to Dad. I imagine he smiled.
Perfect timing for this tribute, Jan.
I did see Lincoln, Divided We Fall.
I was surprised to learn his early views about black people & white people, although he though slavery was wrong.
Can’t help but think what he would think of the Republican party today, and where things have gone.
Thank you!
I don’t think old Honest Abe would have a chance these days – he’d be labeled as a woke snowflake and worse. So would Jesus so he’s in good company!
Sigh! We are in an unfortunate time.
Thanks Jan!
What a lovely tribute to your dad and your uncle. I hope your holidays were wonderful!
What a beautiful tribute. You guys look alike, you know.
A century… he was a year older than my mother. I sometimes wonder what people of that generation would say about today’s turn of events…
“Captain, O my Captain…”
On this somber day, best wishes to America and the world… 🤞🏻
PS. Great picture of your parents. You Dad made me think of Faulkner. (Or am I mistaken?)
That’s my father and me😂
I stand corrected. Such a lovely picture… 💕
I love the photo of you and your dad. Lincoln was such an interesting President. I loved how he surrounded himself with rivals, and learned from them and really worked ‘across the aisle’ as it were.
Oh, Jan 16th was my Grandma’s birthday too! She would have been 102 last week. She was only 19 when she had my mom, and was 40 when she became a grandmother (when my older brother was born).
My father’s birthday was actually on the 15th – but close enough!
He was apparently very humble which is certain a far cry from what we’ve got now.
This is very interesting, Jan. I have done some reading about Lincoln and the civil war.
There’s a lot written about both subjects!
I think I need to watch that
It’s an interesting perspective on how a politician’s views can change – which I enjoyed. But it is a little long on commentary!