Happy Father’s Day
Woman in the Middle | June 15, 2014My father passed away when I was 19, a victim of skin cancer. But he lives on in my heart, in my rapidly greying hair (just like his), and the way the hair waves across the tops of my daughter’s heads (just like thier grandfather’s always did). Here are a few memories of my dear Daddy.
He loved the Matterhorn ride at Disneyland. I can still hear him hooting and hollering as only a man from Texas could, as we whipped around the curves of that ride while I sat secure between his strong legs.
My dad was 6 feet tall and most of that was leg. As a little girl I always made it my goal to keep up with those long strides of his. It made me feel so successful to be able to keep up. I am sure if my family read this they would wonder why I walk so slowly now. I guess it is because I am not trying to keep up with my dad!
Dad had a unique way of walking with one foot pointed straight ahead and one turned a little out to the side. Imagine my surprise and delight when I looked at Eldest Daughter one day and realized she walks the same exact way.
When he was happy about something he would say it was “fan-tas-tic!”
He loved Tanquerey gin, on the rocks. Dad made sure we always had a bottle of cheaper gin on hand for people who wanted their gin mixed with something. The Tanquery was only for the purists!
Dad was not a slipper kind of guy. He always had shoes and socks on, except for very warm summer mornings and then he might come to the breakfast table in his bare feet. I finally learned not to complain of cold feet in the winter became he would always tell me to go get some shoes and socks on, then my feet wouldn’t be cold. Every time I am hanging out at home int he winter and my feet get cold, I remember Dad’s advice. Sometimes I even put shoes and socks on!
My Dad saw something in me that he thought would carry me far. So when I was in junior high and high school we would have, about once a year, a very long serious talk about goals and what it took to reach them. Even during that last year of his life when he was so sick I remember having one of our talks. I like to think he would be proud of how my life has tunred out. Two adorable granddaughters, a great husband, nice house, secure life. I think he would be pleased.
Nice story about your father.
I don’t think you look ill in your photo. I think your smile and your mom’s smile make the picture look great!
I can’t imagine my life without my dad in it, my dad is everything a dad should be
What great memories of your father! You don’t look ill at all! Your mother is beautiful and your father and Brother Dear are very handsome!
A lovely tribute to your Dad! You make me wish I had known him.
He was a great guy!
What a lovely tribute.