I started this "30 Days of Pictures" in mid-January. It obviously took longer than 30 days, but that's ok.
This one I've been putting off for a while because I knew it would be emotional for me. The person I miss the most is my father.
He was an incredible father. He was not without his faults, but he loved us, and he made sure we knew that. He died in 2001 at the age of 77. I often say, "He lived a long life" as if that makes it all ok. It doesn't. I still miss my dad. I miss holding his hand and talking to him on the phone. I miss his voice. I miss him telling stories to me. I realized some time after he died that I'd never get another story from him. Ever. And that hurt just as much as the actual realization that he was really gone. Forever.
Growing up I knew I would be lucky to have my father into my adulthood. He was 52 when I was born. He always stayed busy and always had a project going. When I was younger he did a lot of things outside - he LOVED to be outside. He would tinker in his workshop (which we just called "The Building") all day long after he retired, and often well into the evening. Later, when his health started to falter, he did more things inside and became an accomplished jewelry maker and was also very good at making Dreamcatchers as well.
He was fiercly proud of his Native American (Apache) heritage and read a lot about it. He was convinced he was a direct descendant of Geronimo. But then again he also tried to convince us that he was there when the raised the flag at Iwo Jima, too. He was always telling stories trying to be someone's hero. And I wish to this day that I had told him that he was (and continues to be) mine.
I wish my girls had been able to know their grandfather and that he wasn't just an idea or photograph to them. He was a kind grandfather to my sister's son and I have a feeling that he would have been a pretty dynamite grandfather to my kids as well.
So....I miss my papa. And I always will.
Aww I loved this post...thanks for sharing=) Coming from someone who's Dad was never in my life...it seems you had an awesome man for a Father=) Cherish the moments as I'm sure you will=)
ReplyDeleteWonderful post! I am sure he is smiling down from Heaven at you!
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me to appreciate every moment with my dad that I have left. I can see age moving in on him and changing him. I'm sorry you lost your dad while you were still so young and your children missed knowing him. Sounds like he was a very good man...
ReplyDeleteAwwwwww!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteIt made me cry.
*HUG*
I"m so sorry, glad you had such a great dad
ReplyDeleteWhat a great story. It really made me miss my Daddy. How lucky are we that our earthly fathers were such amazing men?
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Colleen. I miss my dad too.
ReplyDeleteLovely post, Colleen. Thanks for sharing! And thanks for reminding to appreciate and cherish every moment I have w/ my father.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing! I loved reading your fond memories of your dad!
ReplyDeleteMy dad lives 1500 miles away and I've only seen him twice in the past 4 years. It breaks my heart to think that he's missing out on my daughter and I am missing you on him . . . Thanks to you, I am going to make sure to verbalize how much he means to us!
Awww what a sweet/sad post. I'm blessed to still have my dad around and this post was a reminder that I've got to stop taking life for granted. I don't know what tomorrow is going to bring. So...I'm off to call my dad because I still have the opportunity to hear his voice.
ReplyDeleteAwww what a sweet/sad post. I'm blessed to still have my dad around and this post was a reminder that I've got to stop taking life for granted. I don't know what tomorrow is going to bring. So...I'm off to call my dad because I still have the opportunity to hear his voice.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great story. It really made me miss my Daddy. How lucky are we that our earthly fathers were such amazing men?
ReplyDeleteAwwwwww!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteIt made me cry.
*HUG*