So, I thought maybe if I blogged about it a bit and got some of it out, I'd be able to put it back in it's rightful place and carry on. So, here goes...
My Dad never set any world records, made millions of dollars, traveled the globe, made any great discovery or even graduated from college. He was a small town guy who never had a desire to be anything more than he was. And, it wasn't that he didn't set his goals high, in fact it was quite the opposite. The goals he set for himself were quite high and he met and exceeded every single one of them. At the ripe old age of 19 when he found out he was going to have a child he decided he was going to be a faithful husband and a father who would provide for and love this baby. And he did. He was a faithful and loving husband to my Mom until the day he died. And not only did he love and provide for that first baby, he did the same for the next five that followed. Pretty awesome goals for a nineteen year old kid!
He had a strong work ethic and was a loyal employee. He showed up for work every day, worked hard and did his job because he knew that people were counting on him. In fact, it was from work that the ambulance picked him up and took him to the emergency room on the day he died. Although, he had been having smaller heart attacks throughout the two days preceeding his death, he managed to wash, shave and dress in his uniform and go to work that day. Pretty determined man I'd say. Another goal achieved.
He treated my Mom with respect and kindness and told her every day that loved her before he kissed her good-bye on his way to work. They took care of each other and worked as a team. And after 20+ years of raising kids and being busy with so many things other than than themselves realized that even after all those years had passed and all six of us left our home that they actually still loved each other and had fun together. He knew he needed her and decided early on that he would foster their relationship and that regardless of the problems and mistakes that come about in every relationship that his love for her would be stronger than any of those silly things. His promise from the very beginning was to make this woman happy. Check off another one of those goals as achieved.
He had six separate goals for each one of his children. He understood that we were all different people and knew we'd all make different choices. Some of which he didn't always agree with but supported us anyway. One of the truly wonderful things about my Dad was that although we knew he always had an opinion he never gave it unless we asked for it. He was not judgemental. He taught us right from wrong and on those occasions when we did go wrong, to accept and take responsiblity. To learn from the mistakes, don't make them again and move on. He knew he had six little ones to guide into being decent, hardworking, compassionate people. My siblings and I all have our own different lives, we know how to love and we're all good people and most remarkable is we all like and care for each other. He, along with my Mom taught us how important we were to each other. They taught us the importance of family. Goal achieved x6!
My Dad wasn't perfect. I'm sure he drank way too much beer and smoked way too many cigarettes. He never went to church, he swore too much (even made up his own swear words), he drove way too slow and he'd never take my Mom on a vacation. He didn't see any reason to be anywhere other than home. But he loved me. He was always the first one to say "I love you babe" when we'd talk on the phone after I moved to Virginia. When I'd come home to visit he'd hug me so hard I thought I'd break in two and then he'd get so emotional he'd have to go hang out in his garage/workshop until he'd composed himself. Whenever I'd have a relationship end and be nursing a broken heart, I knew I could always call him for a healthy dose of "he was no good anyway", or "you deserve a much better guy than that goofball". No matter what went wrong, it was always their fault. And, let's face it, every girl needs at least one man in her life who thinks she is perfect just the way she is, that she is always right, and that she is the smartest most beautiful girl in the whole world. Thanks Dad!
You know I'm in no hurry to get to heaven. I've got way too much to still do in this life. But when it is my time I know I won't be afraid. It will be so nice to see your smiling face there to greet me and to give me one of those big hugs I miss so much. I love you Daddy and I miss you very much. Happy Father's Day!
When the Thought of You Catches Up With Me
It can happen any moment
Without reason or rhyme
It might be right around the corner
Or it'll come up from behind
A picture that I thought would fade
That I still clearly see
When the thought of you catches up with me
It can happen on a Sunday drive
The sky above a shade of blue
Headin' down some lonesome highway
Then you come into view
Mile after mile goes by
But you're all I see
When the thought of you catches up with me
When the thought of you comes to mind
It'll carry me away to a better place in time
It can happen in the dead of night
Or any day of the week
Sometimes you'll come find me
When I'm in bed asleep
And I'll have that dream about you
And I sure love what I see
When the thought of you catches up with me
When the thought of you catches up with me
When the thought of you catches up with me
*Lyrics by David Ball
Eventually they got hungry so we headed home where they dined in the front yard and then ran through the sprinkler for a while. 
