"What My Father Gave Me"

A Tribute to a Life Well Lived

There are people in life who shape you, guide you, and challenge you to be more than you thought possible. For me, that person is my father.

He showed me what it means to be a man, not through speeches or lectures, but through his actions. I learned how to love by watching the way he loved my mother, with tenderness, loyalty, and deep respect. Because of him, I know how to love my partner, Melodee, and raise my son, Nathaniel, with the same kind of strength and heart.

He was a role model not just in words, but in everything he did. He gave me my first job at County Rose Bistro and passed down a work ethic I still carry. He believed in me when I didn't fully believe in myself, enrolling me in Running Start, helping me get my first car, and most of all, trusting me with something greater than myself: stepping in to help raise my five siblings. That belief lit a fire in me that still burns.

He taught me to cook and sparked my love for the kitchen, showing me that food isn't just about nourishment, it's about creativity, passion, and bringing people together. From the Sawtooth Mountain camping trip to three unforgettable months on the farm behind his studio, tending tomatoes, he filled my life with experiences that shaped me. I'll never forget TomatoFest in Carmel, California—his pride and joy along with my mother—and the moment I met Clint Eastwood because of him.

He also taught me that being a man doesn't mean being serious all the time. He showed me how to laugh while working hard, how to be a romantic, and how to find joy in the everyday. Who else have shared a story about swapping diapers and Viagra into a classic moment of humor and bonding?

We shared a unique and irreplaceable bond.one built on respect, laughter, love, and legacy. I remember cruising down Big Sur in his Mercedes-Benz, feeling the sunshine a father's love, trust and his presence beside me. And I'll never forget the tomato harvest and the fun filled nights at Cinderella motel, or seeing my niece Sager getting crushed tomatoes poured on her taking a tomato bath. Those small, wild, beautiful moments that are now stitched into the fabric of our family's story.

Dad, you've given me so much your time, your belief in me, your lessons and our memories. You gave me direction. You gave me purpose. You gave me love. And now, I carry those gifts forward, with Melodee, my son Nathaniel, my sweetest mother, and with every part of who I am.

Thank you for being my father.
Thank you for being my friend.
I love you.

And I'll carry you with me, always

Love your son Jacob

Click here to return to the Love Letters to Papa G.