Here is the way I remember Dad, mostly.
Smiling for the camera and hugging Mom.
He grumbled and griped some, but mostly I remember him making jokes and being congenial. I do remember when he was worked up about something he would go on and on for what seemed like forever. I would give up trying to plead my case and just wait for it to be over. He would go to bed and I knew it wasn't over. I would hear him get out of bed and come back down the creaky stairs and yell, "And another thing, blah blah blah." He would be in his boxer shorts and white tank top undershirt. Patiently, I would wait for it to be over. The next morning, he would be back to his old self.
I miss Dad and I wish he could have seen how his grandkids have turned out. He would probably have a cow at having a granddaughter climb 1,000 foot towers. He would have been proud of all his grandkids.
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We had a nice Fathers Day today. Angie and Duane stopped by and visited a little bit before they went on a road trip and some geocaching for their anniversary. They got Bob some kind of a special bee house for Fathers Day. Ben, Pandora, Winter, Jim, Chrissy, Ally and Maddy came over for dinner. Then we went to the creek and the girls played in the water while Chrissy and I picked up trash and broken glass that got washed down after the storm. Then we came home and they played on the Slip & Slide. Kind of a layed back day.
I'm proud of Ben and Jim for the kind of fathers they turned out to be. I am proud of Bob for being the kind of man that instilled the kind of traits and attitudes that helped our sons become the men they are today.
What a wonderful tribute to all the dads in your life Diane.
ReplyDeleteI too have those exact feelings of Dad, and especially "....and another thing...." I was trying to share a little about Dad yesterday with Dan and his daughter. The thing I always go back to is, regardless of the flaws and hard times, I always remember feeling love in our family. Just look at that picture of the two of them.
So, yesterday I observed Dan as a dad. I have, obviously, observed that many times. Like most other dads in the world he really loves his kids, wants them to be happy and safe. As a divorced dad, he carries guilt about not being there at certain times (welcome to the world of moms!) He really is a great dad and a great man.
Of course, Buddy was/is a great dad.
Gotta get moving, girlies - off to work we go!
I love you all bunches!
Thanks Diane and Liz for your posts about Dad. It is amazing after all these years how the tears appear when I allow that tender place within me where Dad memories dwell to remember. My favorite memories (besides feeding the pidgeons) are how he loved Mom. And yes, he was fun. All my girlfriends had a crush on him too.
ReplyDeleteI think you all have wonderful examples of good fathers in your families. Earl has been such a good father to Gordon and Troy too and I am so thankful for the men in our lives.
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I finally made it home last night at 10:30. I don't think I will be flying anywhere soon.