Home is where dad is

                                                                                _{Dave (left) and Brad (right)}

     Ardenwoods and its assisted living community, Heather Glen, are home to many wonderful fathers and father-figures, including Dave Griffith, a proud father of three.

     Dave and his wife, Cherrie, moved to Ardenwoods last July, motivated by a desire to live closer to their oldest son, Brad, and his wife, Christie.

     Brad and Christie fell in love with Western North Carolina while visiting from Texas, and after Brad retired, decided to make the move. Dave and Cherrie quickly followed and are now less than 10 minutes from their son’s new mountain home.

     Dave and Cherrie’s other children reside in Texas and New Jersey, so the opportunity to spend time with Brad has been a welcome change for the couple. Playing golf and watching sports has become a bonding experience for Dave and his son.

     “Because of my job as an engineer, we lived in Southeast Asia when the kids were young. It was there that Brad picked up golf,” Dave said. “Since then, we’ve played together in many notable places, like Hawaii, Norway and South Africa.”

     Dave and Brad also enjoy traveling together, most recently enjoying a cruise to Alaska.

     Because Dave, Cherrie and their children lived abroad for much of their lives due to Dave’s job as an engineer, they have come to appreciate seeing the world as a family and continue to travel together to this day.

     “The kids, all three of them, took to being abroad really well, and they enjoyed it,” Dave said.

     For Dave, fatherhood has always encompassed a wide range of experiences, sometimes exciting and other times frustrating. He advises other fathers to stay close to their kids and not let them drift away.

     Recalling his own father, Dave credits much of his successes in life to his beloved dad.

     “When I was growing up, he worked as an engineer, as I have,” Dave said. “He taught me lots of things that inspired me to become an engineer — he was a great figure in my life.”

     Dave and Cherrie have both enjoyed parenthood very much and are delighted they can continue to spend time with their children and grandchildren.

     “We were blessed with three wonderful kids,” Dave said. “We enjoy getting together when we can.”

     This Sunday, Brad and Christie will join Dave and Cherrie for a Father’s Day lunch at Ardenwoods — and throughout the rest of campus, Ardenwoods has planned a Mahjong meetup.

     If you are fortunate to have a father or father-figure in your life, don’t forget to express your gratitude for their love and guidance. Ardenwoods wishes all dads a happy and fun-filled Father’s Day!