When I talk about my Dad to others who weren't fortunate to know him, I get blank stares. Not because they don't care but because they aren't able to appreciate him like I do. I wish sometimes that I could let them jump into my soul, get behind my eyes and really know him like I do. If I could do this, I would make certain that they would see a man who worked hard, and saved his company thousands of dollars. They would know someone who took care of the needs of the family that he loved so much. The hard worker that he was, isn't what made him so special. It was the child in him that loved to come out when children were about. They didn't have to be related. He was a Grandpa to many. The neighbor's children loved to come over and play. He would get out his bag of tricks, snakes that would jump out of a can of peanuts, disappearing ink, a pack of gum that would lightly snap your finger when you would pull a stick of gum from it and bugs, lots of creepy rubber bugs. He would play one of those finger games too. You know, the one that goes "This little piggy..." these were different with their own "lingo". He never told me where it came from and to be honest, I don't really want to know because if I heard that it was something that everyone knew about, it would spoil it for me. He would do this finger counting game with me and my sisters when we were young and later with our children. Once my mother was so embarrassed because he started playing the game with an adult friend of theirs. My kids and my sisters all now know this game and I hope they will pass it along to their children.
Now, whenever my Mom goes to places that he used to frequent, banks, the local supermarket to get a lottery ticket or other places, the people there tell her how much they miss him and the corny jokes he used to tell. Mom tells me that always makes her feel so good, but she always tears up when they tell her this. To know that he touched so many lives, making so many smile, puts a glow in her heart as it does mine and my sister's too.

I really wish I could let you feel what I do about a man who loved to play golf and played so well he would win the top golfer award of his company league year after a year. Someone who would play on the weekend and come home with at least fifty dollars and many times much more than that. A dad who would tell us stories about his experiences in the war, embellished with tales of Jumbo the Elephant letting him climb up into his trunk to escape the cannibals. He would tell all sorts of stories to us and also to his other many grand kids and great grand kids. He also had nick-names for everyone. My oldest son will always be "Baby Giant" another great grandchild is "Bright Eyes" everyone had a special name.
My Dad was very special to me as I know he was to my sisters and my mother and to everyone who knew him. I know you can't wear my soul for even a moment, but maybe just reading this will help you to know the man that I did and still do.
I really miss my Dad.

Hey Frank...

Even seeing your dad through the pictures you showed me gave me a sense of how a good man he was. It was written on his face.

And I can feel the love you had and will always have for him. Cherish it. It is ok to miss someone we love...honoring his spirit the way you do is very touching and moving.

As your friend I do care about you with all my heart and I feel you have to let the grief be , just don't let the sadness lead you to depression.

Life is beautiful even when hardship comes our way. We only have to open our eyes more.

I am always there for you.

Love,
Sly

Dear Frank,

Thank you for sharing your Dad's beautiful soul with us.

Now he is playing with the angels, and they are all having a wonderful time.

Love, Inda

Thank you Sly and Inda.
Your warm responses make me smile.
Sly, everytime I open my wallet and look at those pics of my Dad, I get a lump in my throat and I feel so happy.
Love, Frank

quote:

Originally posted by Danebe:
...honoring his spirit the way you do is very touching and moving.

Amen (and Awomen!) Sly!

Thank you dear Frank for this wonderful post!

I always feel that great rememberances are one of us Humans' highest qualities. We seem to take more time on graves than any other aminals huh?

Reading your words is like seeing a picture you are painting. Nice colors and strokes buddy! he he..

My grandmother Eugenia used to have some sayings I love to repeat. Sometimes I credit her, other times I just own the thinks she would say, but it is all a kind remembering. Beaming up to the REMEMBERSHIP!

You mentioned before how your dear dad would make funny names for people, hey! Maybe it is an echo or reverberation of that kind of think - the way we have funny "handles" like Kiliwia, Captain Universe and so on... mmmmm... tasting the memories... It sounds like he truly had a talent for being light and boy don't we need this in the current weighty world...

Stories about "ancestors," predessesors (splelign?) and past family members, this was surely a great part of entertainment in the old world. Stories told over the fireplace, sitting on a porch or something like that -- now we have TV isn't that much better... NOT!!! But in a way, at least we have dear Frank sharing tales about a great guy and his trials and tribulations, his uplifting humor and loves, and hey, I feel like I'm in a family circle LIKE THE GOOD OLD DAYS! THANKS!!!

It is beautiful how you are keeping these wonderful memories of your father alive. Sharing them with us and enriching all of our lives as he did yours. This is a great present and awareness expanding post Frank! Thanks googols.

Love and light being, Teo

Thanks Teo for your warm reply. I was glad that I was able to paint a glowing picture of my Dad for all to see. It's kind of hard living somewhere where no one really was able to see him in the flesh. We did have some hard times where we didn't know how to talk to each other and would avoid doing so, but through it all I loved him and I know that he loved me very much.
My Dad told some great stories to my sisters and I at bed time and even better ones when the family would go camping. We still remember one about how he, my sisters and I were swallowed by a whale and my Mom was standing on the shore holding a lantern. Just the mind visual of that would send us into fits of laughter. I had also asked him to tell me the story of the "Dusty Mummy" thinking this would be a great scary story. What came from that request was a tale of my Mummy (Mom) cleaning under the bed and being covered in dust bunnies. Again, each time I think of him telling it, I start to chuckle.
Anyway, Sly, Inda and Teo, thanks for all your warm replies... Take care of your Dad's now if they are still with you... because one day, you won't be seeing them anymore and you will only be able to talk to them in your prayers..
If they are already passed ( and I don't mean to forget all the Mom's out there) by all means, talk to them. Out loud or in your head. They are listening.
Love, Frank

Dear Frank, this is a very touching post. Thank you for sharing memories of your wonderful Dad with us.

Love,
Sue

Dear Frank, your Father was a wonderful man. Thank you for sharing your feelings with us. You were fortunate to have had such a wonderful Dad. Just remember his spirit is always with you.

Love
Vicky

Dear Frank,

thank you for sharing the memories of your precious and wonderful Dad with us.

Love,
Gisele