Sunday, June 19, 2011

Miss you Daddy

Was the first born and wasn't the boy he was hoping for yet he would love me just the same. Remember him getting me my first dog, Chesty, a German Shepherd, remember riding him like a pony! Everything dad gave me; pets, knowledge, LAUGHTER...we grew to LOVE! Especially his love for fun.

Chesty later bit the milk man and we had to give him away. In those days they would deliver milk right to your door, parents didn't want the milk to sour so the containers were kept on the back porch. He was just protecting me and the man who he bit didn't care about this or the "family pet". Remember at the age of three, Dad giving a piece of his mind to him, but the milkman took things one step further and "the police" made us give up that dog.

Dad told me the "vet would take good care of him".  Chesty got car sick and so did I the day we drove out to the "doggy doctor". "Will he come back home?" I remember the tears in his eyes. That night we watched Lassie together, it was during the credits, Lassie would put her paw up. As a child, would cry and cry because it reminded me of my Chesty, who even though he wanted to, could never come back home to me. 

Dad was Irish, flaming red head in his youth with flashing blue eyes. He had a love for music and also remember his 'hot temper'. He could make up his mind in an instant and not give a second thought to "consequences" which always amazed me how it didn't drive my mom to drink. Definitely could recognize this trait in me and have curbed my appetite to "bite ones head off" just as dad did in his living. We could see the change in his rivalry the day he laid prostrate on the floor of a cathedral making private vows to God. Dad always had a flair of making BIG decisions and becoming a Deacon in the church was one of them; just like when he enlisted in the army and became a Marine.

Around ten he taught me how to play gin rummy, fish and got me a gun for my 12th birthday. We belonged to a prestigious game and hunt club. Could catch rainbow trout and shoot with the best of them. Although put the gun to rest when I killed my first bird. It devastated me to see what was accomplished with my talent and vowed to God never to kill again. Looking into my friends eyes for understanding is when I heard;  "You're such a girl, go home and go play with your dollies".  That was the day when I discovered; "make fun of" was just like killing. Dad said "it's ok honey" and the gun disappeared.

Dad was a talented musician. In his youth he played in a band; clarinet, drums and piano. He knew one song by heart and when he played it was like magic. FUN would ERUPT! I rented a piano just for him and secretly to see if I had the talent to play; sadly never grasped it. But made sure that piano was nearby for those precious tunes to burst forth, yup he was the boogie- woogie bugle boy of Company B

Music helped to dispel the magnitude of the moment. Whether it be celebrating a birthday, graduation, birth of a child, child leaving the nest when you thought it was NOT appropriate, the celebration, honoring choices without judging, made everything right. It was the letting go and standing true to what you knew, even if it meant a lawful ordinance forced you to let go. This was part of the reveille, waking us up to the reason for the season and this to shall pass, even when your first love is taken away. R.I.P daddy. 

After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music. Aldous Huxley


Da-da, da-do-da-da
Da-da, da-do-da-da
Da-da, da-do-da-da
Da-da, da-do-da
 (click do-da if you want to see our family in action)

20 comments:

  1. Oh, wow. Wonderful, wonderful post.

    I almost wrote about my mom for this theme, and am considering writing two entries this week so that I still can.

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  2. awwww what a great idea Elizabeth!! : ) couldn't believe this weeks subject was what i was writing on through tears just giving tribute to dad ((hugs)) geeeeesh now i better go bake that cake for our get together this afternoon!!!!!!! AKK lol

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  3. That is so sweet. It's good to cherish the good things.

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  4. What a great post about your Dad and so fitting for Father's Day. Isn't it great you have all these wonderful memories...what a great First Love!

    Cheers, Jenn
    http://www.wine-n-chat.com/

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  5. Daddy is a lot of our first loves, if you don't count Mom! lol This is a wonderful tribute to yours. I am missing mine today, also. Eggs sell ant post.

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  6. An excellent Father's Day tribute. Well said!

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  7. It's tough losing your father. Time does heal but will never make things right.

    Joyce
    http://joycelansky.blogspot.com

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  8. I think that my dad was my first "love" too!

    Lovely blog!

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  9. Absolutely loved Boogie Woogie Memories... I would ask why your dad had a pillow on his head but I suspect the answer wouldn't be as much fun as wondering :) He did have the most beautiful blue eyes, didn't he! Lovely, lovely post *hugs*

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  10. no matter what anyone did to dad...he played on!

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  11. This is so heartfelt and sweet. It's beautiful that you wrote about your dad, sounds like he was a special guy.

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  12. Over visiting mom today; asked to use her computer to see if my site was "slow" or if you could hear the music. She had lots of questions!

    Mentioned to her in conversation was writing again, and she was shocked; "thats you dad playing, how did you get that" instantly i cried.

    She read the blog and set me straight on the "facts", more of about the drum playing, band MORE memories. And then it hit me, what today was...the birthday of my first eros/agape love!! My Cornell man, whom i adored. It was the purest..maybe i should write about this..humm found his picture yesterday in my bible : )

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  13. I can see why he was your love. A great dad.
    Pam
    A Pirate Looks Past Sixty

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  14. I can see him through your description--great write!

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  15. What a lovely post. I got tears in my eyes as I read. My father is also no longer with me and I reminisced right along with you. You made him so vivid with your words!!

    Kathy
    http://www.thetruckerswife.com/

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  16. letting go is the hardest thing..just heard my aunt died sunday. She had the BEST sense of humor and was my favorite aunt. So glad dad was able to greet her at Heaven's door!!!!!!

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