fathers day

i loved my dad. he was one of the most moral, character filled men i have ever known. growing up, we did not have much but we had what we needed. he never knew a stranger and people who knew him loved him. he was quick to bust my butt (always when i needed it) and he would use reason if you asked why. he was funny, witty, and could talk to anybody no matter their place in life, their skin color or anything else. when he looked at people, that is what he saw-people. he taught me how to play poker and he taught me how to fish. he took me hunting and he took me for target practice. he came to my sporting games and i really can't ever remember him "not being there" his advise was dead on but only gave it when asked.

he loved my mom and she loved him. he served in WWII and was proud he did. he was never too busy if i needed help with something and when i needed advice, he was right 100 out of 100 times.

he worked hard for the telephone company all his life. never thought about changing jobs. he might have made better money somewhere else but he would not take a risk because he did everything for the benefit of his family.

very few times i saw him scared. i did see him hurt when wronged and i saw him cry. i remember the day before he died. i was in knoxville and they lived about 300 miles away. my mom called me while i was at work. she was crying and so scared. my dad was everything to her and the mighty oak was being chopped down.
it was just her and i in the room when he died and i had to make the decision for him to be taken off the respirator. i knew it was what he would have wanted. he also knew it would hurt us badly. and it did. when i go back to see my mom, i go to the cemetery to visit and talk to him. it might look odd for me to go there in a 45' motorcoach but i would not miss the opportunity for anything.

as i try to be an influence and guide in my children's lives, i often wonder what dad would have done. did i do it right?

as i look back, i never told him how much i respected him. i never thought about thanking him for all he did for my mom, my brother and myself. i never told him i love you as much as i should have. my dad was the neatest guy i have ever known and i miss him more every day and as i age, i need him more every day.

happy fathers day, dad. i love you.

until next time...