It's hard to imagine what my parents were like when they were young.  I guess everyone must have trouble visualizing their parents as teenagers, but as I get older it somehow gets easier.

They had a life before me.  And I love to hear them tell about it.

And I want my children and my grandchildren to know those stories!  So last week, I sat down with Dad and he told me about his boxing days.

Dad is 76 years old now, but his memory of his early years is amazingly clear!  It was fun watching his eyes as he rewound and recalled his teenage boxing beginnings.

Check out how big my dad's hands are!  No wonder he could deliver a powerful punch!  Shake hands with him even today, and be prepared for a bone-crushing squeeze.  No wonder his sons-in-law are intimidated by him!  (And let me tell you from experience, Dad didn't need a paddle to spank us!  His HAND was a paddle!)

We had a fun day of reminiscing...well, Dad was reminiscing and I was listening and videotaping.  I split it up into three parts, so enjoy Part 1 today and check back in the next few days for Parts 2 and 3.

ENJOY!!!