These are random musings of my life journey, the people, animals, places, and events which have woven, and continue to weave, a tapestry that is me. We all know there is no real destination, only the ongoing experiences which blend together, creating the trail. Each step gives a glimpse of what is to come, without allowing me to see the end result. It is exciting. I have a home base that is mine, that gives me a place to rest. This is it. This is where my heart is, no matter where I journey...................

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Happy Father's Day

.
"It doesn't matter who my father was;
it matters who I remember he was."
~~By Anne Sexton (1928-1974) U.S. poet.~~


I have good memories of my dad. He is the one who taught me many life skills along the way, and some of those lessons have been valuable since living alone the last few years. When I begin a task around the house or yard, I often hear his voice reminding me how to do it, or I have a memory of his guidance while learning it many, many years ago. He taught me to change a tire and change the oil in the car; how to repair dents or holes in a wall
and how to paint a wall; how to drive, to parallel park, to drive a stick shift. So many things that I sometimes "just know," are because he told me and showed me at one time.

He wasn't perfect. He wasn't always right (although I think he usually thought he was). But he tried to be as nearly so as he could for our benefit. We argued, my dad and I. I was as stubborn and hardheaded as he was, so it was inevitable. But we loved each other. And we both loved my mom.

Despite his imperfections, my memories are good. Who he was was imperfect, but who I remember was a good man, an honest man, a man that was bigger than life. The man who I remember taught me to be who I am and to be happy with that.

I miss my dad. I had him for 56 years, and that isn't nearly enough. It is never enough when we lose a parent.


~ ~ ~ ~


QUOTES ABOUT FATHERS


"The most important thing a father can do
for his children is to love their mother."
~~Author Unknown

"To her the name of father was another name for love."
~~By Fanny Fern.~~

"They didn't believe their father had ever been young;
surely even in the cradle he had been a very,
very small man in a gray suit,
with a little dark mustache and flat, incurious eyes."
~~By Richard Shattuck.~~

"Fathers, like mothers, are not born.
Men grow into fathers-
and fathering is
a very important stage in their development."
~~By David M. Gottesman.~~

"I cannot think of any need in childhood
as strong as the need for a father's protection."
~~By Sigmund Freud (1856-1939)~~

"A Man's children and his garden both reflect the
amount of weeding done during the growing season."
~~Author Unknown.~~

"The greatest gift I ever had
Came from God, and I call him Dad!"
~~Author Unknown.


~ ~ ~ ~



What Makes a Dad

God took the strength of a mountain,
The majesty of a tree,
The warmth of a summer sun,
The calm of a quiet sea,
The generous soul of nature,
The comforting arm of night,
The wisdom of the ages,
The power of the eagle's flight,
The joy of a morning in spring,
The faith of a mustard seed,
The patience of eternity,
The depth of a family need,
Then God combined these qualities,
When there was nothing more to add,
He knew His masterpiece was complete,
And so, He called it ... Dad

Author Unknown


~ ~ ~ ~


Happy Father's Day to everyone,
especially to
my son, Scott,
and my son-in-law, Kirk,
both of whom I am so proud and thankful for being the men they are.
.

4 comments:

  1. What a wonderful tribute to your Dad. I wish I could have met him.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I wish you could, too. He was a sweetheart.

    ReplyDelete
  3. No, that isn't long enough at all. I am glad you have such great memories of him.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Julie, he lived to be 90. Next year will be the 100th anniversary of his birth, and if he were still here, it still wouldn't be long enough.

    ReplyDelete

If you have something to say about it, just stick out your thumb, and I'll slow down so you can hop aboard! But hang on, 'cause I'm movin' on down the road!!! No time to waste!!!