Today was my Dad's birthday and each time it comes around, I wish he were here so I could hug him and wish him a wonderful day.Dad wasn't perfect...no one is, but he worked from dawn to dusk to provide for his wife and children. He had very few luxuries in his life but I never once heard him complain. His only vice was smoking hand-rolled cigarettes. He carried a pouch of tobacco in his shirt pocket along with rolling papers. He smoked about seven cigarettes a day. The tobacco back when I was a child cost .25 and that is all he ever took out of his paycheck for himself.
Dad never drank, very seldom ever said a curse word and besides working in a coal yard, shoveling coal off of box cars into the bins and then into the back of a truck when customers ordered, he grew a huge garden every year. I don't remember Dad ever really having a day off where there wasn't something he had to do.
He brought his three children up to be responsible, to treat everyone equally, to be honest, kind and to have a good word ethic. He taught us to help others and not expect anything in return. He taught us many other things as well, but these laid a good foundation for our lives.
We lost Dad in 1981, at the young age of 65. We were blessed to have had him that long. Dad had rheumatic fever when he was five. The doctors told him mother he would never live to see adulthood, but he did. He joined the army in 1940 instead of waiting for conscription. He never saw active duty overseas because he was injured in a fall in the obstacle course. I think that bothered him his entire life because he wanted to fight for his country's freedom.
Dad and I didn't always get along. We were too much alike. We both had a bit of an Irish temper and were stubborn. It wasn't until I had my daughter that I understood why he was so strict with his children. I'm glad no more years were wasted. Near the end of his life we had a very close relationship.
Happy Birthday, Dad. Wish I could sit across from you and enjoy a cup of tea with you once again. One day we will be able to do that.
What a nice tribute to your Dad. He sounds like a great guy and his legacy lives on in you!
ReplyDeleteYour description of your Dad sounds very similar to what I would write, were I doing a tribute/memorial to my Grandfather. It sounds like they were cut from the same cloth. My Grandfather died 55 years ago this week (March 27th, actually) at the age of 82. His mind was poor by that time of his life and he often would try to run away from home then so was a big worry and difficult for my Mom and Grandma but even so, I still miss him, his voice especially, very much this many years since his passing.
ReplyDeletePeace.
our parents generagtion was the best, they worked hard and didn't expect much out of life. They just wanted to be able to raise and support their families...I grew up during the same time you did and our parents were very much alike. Your dad would be so proud of the mom and grandma that you are. He's got his cuppa and he's at the table looking down at you with a smile!
ReplyDeleteA lovely tribute. Most of us live small lives, and it is enough to do our best and to be remembered by a few.
ReplyDeleteGreat tribute to your dad. That was the greatest generation.
ReplyDeleteone day you will be able to do that....
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet tribute to your dad. Mine was alot like your's. He passed at age 54, leaving us all in shock. We didn't get to have them long enough but as you say, we will be with them again and won't have to say goodbye ever again.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet tribute to your dad. Mine was alot like your's. He passed at age 54, leaving us all in shock. We didn't get to have them long enough but as you say, we will be with them again and won't have to say goodbye ever again.
ReplyDeleteYou are lucky to have had a Dad you can fondly remember. Peace
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful tribute. I just lost my dad and am going through the phases of missing him - the regrets, the wish I had done this or not done that. But we must push those back into our mind and remember the happy times and fond memories.
ReplyDeleteI like what you guys are up too. This sort of clever work and exposure!
ReplyDeleteKeep up the fantastic works guys I've incorporated you guys to our blogroll.
my web blog ... www.ithinksearch.com