Father’s day is June 19, and Reeve Ambassador Ruben Rios shares a few thoughts about his father, Gaspar Rios.
My father turns 82 this month. My dad is in the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s. A very sad thing this Alzheimer is. My father can no longer eat food, stand up/walk or even speak. Sometimes I'll park my wheelchair next to wherever he is, and recount old stories from my childhood to him. Sometimes, he'll remember the story and give a little smirk or smile.
My dad was a steelworker his entire life, before the industry went dry and there were no more jobs to be had. Some of my fondest memories with him include the times he took me to my little league games, playing catch with him, going to Dodgers, Rams and Raiders games together. We also spent lots of time at the race track together. Horses were one of his many loves in life. One of my favorite paintings is one I painted of "Hollywood Park" which is a very popular race track, close to where we live, here in Southeast Los Angeles.
There are too many good memories to recount here, but the bottom line is that he was there during the good times and the bad. Today, it's sad to see the way his health has declined, but I thank God, every day, for all the good times my father and I spent together. Happy Father's Day to you all!
Ruben Rios
Reeve Foundation Ambassador
