In honor of father’s day, Jeri & I took a deeper dive to understand our first father Norman Kaye. Norman left his three daughters behind in 1968, divorcing our mom before it was in vogue.
We honor our bonus Dad, Howie, who stepped up to the challenge of not only raising his 3 sons but added us to his crew, with great love and humor.
I reunited with Norman in 1991, continuing the conversation. Norman regretted what he did, explained to me his life back then, without excuse, just how it was. You see, he was from a family of wealth, property & real estate. Classic second generation “trust fund family”. He sold valuable real estate, walked away from it all to pursue a startup airline.
Norman was creative in thought, but the times were not on his side. Perhaps that was the karma he was always faced with. When you do the wrong thing, wrong things find you. My mother said this to me throughout my life, integrity, your reputation, is your brand and smile.
Norman filled the void in his heart by giving back to the Navy. He said to me one day, it was the only way he could feel something inside again. He found his purpose, mission and peace.
In 2000, he was awarded the Navy’s highest civilian honor, the Meritorious Public Service Medal, for his “unfailing support of numerous Atlantic Fleet submarine crews.”
Jeri & I, the Kaye girls started speaking with Military Moms we recently met during the Pandemic on the audio app, the Clubhouse. These young women, are now stepping up to serve their families, while their spouses are serving abroad, in harms way, & they are at home in harms way. They support their children, parents, Aunt’s, Uncles, Nieces, Nephews, Cousins, friends in need.
Early on, Kristine bravely came in to our room to just listen, Jeri & I were sharing a conversation we have had for the past 25 years, seeking to understand why certain people connect, how our children learn & family chemistry.
Like Norman, we recognized a need, uniquely how we too can serve, with actionable insight to continue his tradition of service.
Stay tuned as we launch — The Formative Years. While their Spouses serve, the parent at home’s mission is not only to raise the children, but ensure they learn & thrive in their wonder years. With us by their side, Military families will thrive.
Norman cherished his times, the special bonds with the men and women who served on 19 submarines and one surface ship, the USS Leyte Gulf. Later on in life, he would speak of the 19 submarines Gulf USS Boston USS Hampton, USS Philadelphia, USS Miami, USS Toledo, USS Seawolf and the USS John C. Calhoun……
NORMAN KAYE, 70,’POP’ TO SAILORS, Jeri & Donna, the Kaye girls, continue his legacy supporting the spouses, ensuring their families thrive at home.
It's always in the cards... 