Who is that? That’s my dad…and that’s my favorite picture of him. As I write this, it’s Tuesday, and he died 41 years ago today and I still miss him. He was the kindest, most gentle man you could ever hope to meet. He never raised his voice, or got in a hurry or forgot anyone’s name. I think I got some of my “creativeness” from him because he was always trying something new! Whether it was bronzing baby shoes, engraving copper, fixing watches, tooling leather (he was excellent at this!), making gloves, fixing refrigerators, or even helping my mom cut out her first dress in Italy, because she couldn’t understand how to figure out the pattern…he did it all. Well, at least he TRIED it all. He was a wonderful father and I would loved to have shared a lifetime of memories with him. He never got to meet MY kind and gentle husband or my children or my brother and sisters children either. I think we would have had some great moments together. My mom and dad had a very special kind of marriage… she’s never remarried or even had a date with anyone in all these 41 years that have passed.
His life was cut short at 48 years old by a brain tumor. He was the baby of his family and the first one to make it to heaven. I plan on seeing him as soon as I get there myself! It doesn’t seem possible that it all happened 41 years ago but it did and there is some soft spot in me that still cries over little things like writing what I just have, because I’m crying now… so I guess I’ll have to quit because I can’t see the page anymore.
Take time today to tell someone special how much you love them. Love you daddy…
See you tomorrow,
Merry Christmas, Jeanne
Jeanne, I am sorry for your loss at such an early age – yours and his.
I totally get what you are saying about your dad because I had a dad just like that. He has been gone 35 years. I was 28 when he passed away. He was always my proponent and my mentor. I also find myself thinking of him and wishing I could talk to him and ask him questions. And I still cry at times when I really miss him. I don’t think that ever goes away. Not when you love someone so dear to our heart.
Bless you this Christmas as you think of your dad as he is in Heaven watching you and your family from above.
Thank you Jeannie,
I’m sorry for the loss of your father too! That’s what I’d like too… just to sit and talk to him…
Thank you for your sweet words to me…
Have a wonderful Christmas tomorrow with your loved ones.
Blessings and one last time… Merry Christmas, Jeanne
Jeanne, what a sweet and touching tribute to your dear father! I, too, got misty eyed just reading it. My goodness, what a sad Christmas that must have been 41 years ago. Both of my parents are gone now, and I miss them more than ever, but with a new generation in my children and grandchildren, hope springs eternal!
Christmas Blessings to you and yours!
Linda
HI Linda,
Thank you for taking time to read daddy’s tribute. Gone but not forgotten…
It’s nice you have children and grandchildren to carry on family fun!
It has truly been wonderful chatting with you every day, Linda!
Have a really nice Christmas Day tomorrow and enjoy all those youngins!
Blessings and Merry Christmas, Jeanne
Jeanne, so sorry to hear that your dad was taken at such a young age and at this time of year. It sounds like you have some wonderful memories of him. My father passed away 3 days after my son was born. He held on long enough to hear of his birth, his sex and that he was named after him. I do miss him, but I know he is up in heaven having fun with his parents and brother. 🙂
HI Christine,
What a heartbreaking thing to have a baby and then your father leave you so quickly. I’m glad he got to know for a few moments about his newest grandson. Life is hard sometimes but it still goes on.
Thanks so much Christine,
Blessings and Merry Christmas one final time to you, Jeanne
What a loving tribute to your father, Jeanne. I’m so sorry that you lost him when you were way too young. The fact that you still miss him so deeply after 41 years means that you loved him so so so much and that is a wonderful thing even though it hurts so much. Hugs to you.
Merry Christmas Cindy,
Thank you for your very kind words about my post today. It does still hurt when I go there, but that’s what true love it all about. It wasn’t until I got married that I realized what my mom had really gone through. I mean how do you go on when you love someone so much…but you just do and time does heal…. not completely, but it gets better.
Thank you for all the comments and sweet words you have written to me since I started this blog. I wish I could get together with all my subscribers and we could have a big party! Wouldn’t that be fun?
Blessings and Merry Christmas to you for the final time in 2014, Jeanne
Dear Jeanne,
I am so sorry that you lost your father at such a young age. As others have commented, what a sad Christmas that must have been But you can always remember how much your father loved you and that he is in heaven watching over you. What a blessing it must be to have a father like that to look back and have nothing but happy memories.
I hope that you have a wonderful Christmas!
Hi Laura,
Thank you for your sweet note! Yes, it was a sad Christmas that year and even many that followed. I do have lots of good memories and I am very grateful for them.
I hope you have a wonderful Christmas with whoever you are spending it with,
Blessings and one last Merry Christmas greeting, ~ Jeanne
Oh, Jeanne, he was much too young!! I am so sorry….
I lost my dad 9-1/2 years ago (and mom, 7-1/2 years ago), and still miss them. My dad was 89 when he died, though–and what I wouldn’t give for one more conversation, or one more hug! I was definitely daddy’s girl!! 😉
I read a quote on Facebook tonight: “Grief is the last act we have to give to those we loved. Where there is deep grief, there was great love.” So true!
Blessings to you this Christmas, and may the memories be sweet.
HI Charlotte,
When I saw that your dad died when he was 89, I figured it out and that’s how old daddy would have been this year…89… I wonder what he would have looked like. All of my aunts and uncles have died except one 92 year old aunt.
I did have a nice Christmas and will have a wonderful visit when my brother and sisters get here.
Thank you Charlotte,
Merry Christmas one last time to you, Jeanne
I just found your blog and am so sad reading about how young your dad was when he went to heaven. I too had a dad who could do just about anything he put his mind too and who I adored. This was my first Christmas without him, and even though I know I’ll see him again one day, I miss him so much. Thanks for sharing your memories and I’ll be reading your posts regularly now!
I just had time to read this post today and I’m teary eyed too. My Dad died at 50 but he sure lives on in my Brothers and my son. Some likeness show up in pictures and when I saw my youngest son’s senior pictures I chocked .,.,.he looked just like my Dad at that age!
We missed him so badly…didn’t handle his death too well…non of us would even talk about it..it hurt too much.
Love your memories and how you expressed them!
((Hugs))