Memories of Dad
Today my Dad would have been 74. It's the second birthday of his to go by since his death. The pain of his loss is still there. He was the one member of my family that knew what was in my heart when I was talking to him and understood me as no other. We shared a love of books, mainly history and science and would discuss them. He introduced me to the world of classical music.
He had a great many faults but always seemed to make up for them with his great sense of humor. I still remember the times he would do the cooking. His specialty was chicken cacciatore. There would be pans galore as he created his masterpiece and it was always a treat when he would cook it.
He loved Victory at Sea and would have the volume set so high, the windows would vibrate and you could hear it from the road. He and his Seabee buddies used to have great parties, usually at our house. One Halloween, they decided to have a scavenger hunt and enlisted us kids to help find the items. That was a lot of fun. The barbecues on the beach were also a lot of fun.
He taught us to respect our Mom first and foremost.
When we lived in Germany, while he was still in the Army, he would take us into the mountains in the spring to go blueberry picking and in the winter play in the snow with us. We would visit gashauses.
He was always just there and now he isn't. I miss him but the pain of his loss is tempered with sweet memories and the knowledge that his passing went so very peacefully. It may seem strange but I still talk to him.
posted by SEAWITCH at
3:25:00 PM
9 Comments:
Seawitch,
I lost my father 9 years ago. It still stings and I miss him greatly. I am grateful that like you I have fond memories of him.
elmers brother,
I'm glad you have fond memories of your Dad also.
My father died when he was 55 (about my age now).
I never told him things i wanted to.
You have great memories - it is priceless.
felis,
My family was fortunate in that all of us kids were able to tell him how we felt about him in the days leading up to his death. All of us were able to reconcile in the months before. And even my Mom, though divorced 24 years, gave us a message to tell him. He seemed to be waiting for hers because it was soon after I told him that Mom still cared about him, he was able to go.
They are great memories and I and my brothers and sisters cherish them.
Wow. We should all be so fortunate before someone we love passes.
mark,
We were very fortunate and to this day
I can still recall his smile the day before he died when I told him Mom's message.
I wasn't with him when he died. I was just fixing to leave work around 11:ooam to take over from my sister when she called and said he had died. One of us stayed with him at all times in the days leading to his death.
Wow, Karen. You were truly blessed.
My father is still alive but I mourn not having the childhood with him that I and my sisters deserved. I can say I love who he is now, but I can't say the same about back then, and I know that's a huge reason for many of the issues I deal with now. My heart hurts for not having had an experience such as yours.
Thanks esther. He was by no means a perfect man but he did try his best.
patrickafir,
Thank you.
My son was home this weekend. I can't seem to listen to my Mozart and the others when he's home. He spends way too much time rolling up his eyes. He used to love listening to classical music when he was younger but now if it's not Greenday and other alternative rock, he just rolls his eyes, sighs, and says you're way too old!
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home