Over the decades I've had many people, even many of privilege, complain about their parents. I am profoundly blessed with a wonderful family.
Pictured above are starting from the upper left hand corner circular are my mother Mary R. Hardin-Scott, father Joseph Neil Hardin, Gloria Arango, me, Robin Hardin, Mary Frances Shirley, Kim and Jimi Hardin. Our family of boomers grew to include 10 girls and two boys.
I am at 71 still blessed to be able to say honestly that I have / had wonderful parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters. Even my neighborhood in Suffield, Connecticut was full of really wonderful people and beautiful landscape.
My father's career included entertainer, he performed on the stage of Carnegie Hall during his career, was a US military veteran who served honorably in World War II and then became a father in 1952. In the 1960's -80's he performed for presidents and churches and community gatherings.
My father was peacefully victorious against racism many times in his life, though he kept a back porch full of guns.
For example, when denied the right to vote due to the color of his skin by the town of Suffield, CT in the early 1950's, he was joined by many good citizens, Mazurs, Burbanks, Mulligans and many others who joined him in winning his right to vote, followed by the ability to take his children to the local country club. I remember not caring about the country club, as long as I could go to the library. Suffield had (has?) a wonderful library. He didn't use his guns on a human being, except in the war.
When the town had an opportunity to buy the land known as Sunrise Park my father and the rest of the neighborhood worked to raise funds to create the best park in the area. Holiday mornings were spent at a local food kitchen handing out food to hungry people with dignity and respect.
Though no longer in his old body, my father's spirit still inspires all he touched or have been lifted by his amazing singing voice. He sang with the jazz pianist Ran Blake and is on the cover of Blake's album Suffield Gothic. That's him on the right.
My parents and grandparents were so God centered, we went to both Catholic and Baptist services on Sunday mornings. All of my generation of children grew up to be people of service to their families and communities.
He was also one of the firs I am eternally proud of and grateful and loving my father, a most amazing soul, one who must have been an Underground Railroad conductor too because he surely raised me and my brothers and sisters to be community servants, for which I am eternally joyous and grateful.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR DADDY
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, ETERNALLY!
