Sunday, June 17, 2012

Happy Father's Day

I was blessed to have a
GOOD FATHER.
He was 53 when I was born.
I was his first child.
Yep-That's ME!
He wore many hats
during his lifetime.
He was a medic in WWI.
(yes-WWI)
He taught at Penn State,
agriculture and English.
He was an insurance salesman.
He eventually came back
to his 
Bradford County, PA,
roots and bought a farm
close to the one he
was raised on.
He married my mother
late in life
and was thrilled to
have a child.
ME!

4 years later
my brother came along
and he was doubly blessed.
I remember him laughing
at just about everything
I did.
Which probably contributes to
the crazy woman I have become.

I remember going to the
stock auctions with him
and sitting up in the
owner's office,
which looked out over
the ring where the cattle
were auctioned off.
After that we would go
to Louie's Inn
and he would have a cold beer
and I would have an
Orange Soda
and a 
veal cutlet on a stick.

I remember trips to
the feed mill and he would
give me a nickle to go next
door to the little grocers
that operated out of the 
living room of a couple's home.

I remember him driving
down the hill into town after
a long day of farming to
buy me a baby doll
that I so wanted.
No mean feat in the 
mountains.

 I remember learning to 
drive an old Chevy pickup
when I was 13 and
I would steer-he would
yell- CLUTCH-
I would push the clutch in
and he would shift the floor
gear for me.

I remember his laugh
and as he was telling a joke
he would be laughing
so hard that you 
couldn't understand the punch line.

I remember feeling loved
and
I remember feeling scared
when he was diagnosed
with Parkinsons when
I was 11.

I remember that he 
always made light of his
pain and illness even
when it became hard
for him to walk.

He's been gone since 
I was 21 years old.
A lifetime ago.
And, guess what?
I STILL miss him.

If your Dad is still alive,
take a moment and thank him...
even if he is not deserving of it...
because we are called to
honor our parents-
good or bad-
and I know not everyone
had a good Dad.

I'm glad I had a good one.
I was blessed.
Happy Father's Day
to all the Dads here on
Earth and in Heaven! 
your photo name

45 comments:

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

Sweet tribute to your dear DAD! I Googled Bradford County and it is a little west of the route we take when we head to Utica NY to visit our daughter. Your dad was an accomplished man and I know you will always miss him. Very sweet photos :)

Susie said...

Diana, That's a nice photo of you and your dad. I know you still miss him..I miss my parents too. Blessings to all the sweet dads in your own family today. xo, Susie

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Such a sweet post to your dad. Have a good one.

Musings from Kim K. said...

I'm wiping away tears. What a beautiful tribute to your father. Sending you extra "hugs" today!

Japolina said...

What a lovely father's day post. Your Dad seems like an amazing, fun guy. Thanks for sharing.

I have a great Dad. He is super funny too. I'm also blessed with a great, generous father-in-law. My husband is the best Dad ever.

Hope you have a great day with your hero!

Jettie said...

It is something special to have a wonderful dad, and you seem to have been blessed with a wonderful one, who left way too soon.
Hugs

Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures said...

What a beautiful tribute to your loving father, your memories made me smile. I miss my Dad every day and am so thankful for all the good times.

ShabbyESP said...

I love the picture of you and your daddy.
You were so very lucky for such a wonderful father.

Have a great Sunday!!!
Suzann ~xoxo~

Lynne said...

Such a beautiful tribute to a wonderful man! He holds your hand from Heaven!
So blessed to be your blog friend!
~Lynne
w/BL.

Donna said...

I just love that photo of you and your Dad,Diana. What a great tribute to him, he would be so proud of you and all of your family! I miss my Dad too, guess that's something we never get over, do we? Have a great day:)

Julie Marie said...

A most beautiful post about your daddy dear Diana... I too was blessed with a wonderful daddy and I miss him terribly... but I do know he really is always with me, close in my heart and watching over me... your childhood memories are similar in so many ways to mine... I was and still am a daddy's girl and you are too... love seeing you as a little girl!... and hearing about all of the things you did with your sweet daddy... thanks for your sweet comments too about my blog... still undecided about what to do, blog or not to blog... I say I am not going to, then I miss it already... we'll see... xoxo Julie Marie

Sweet Posy Dreams said...

What a touching remembrance, Diana. Thank you for sharing this.

Lucille said...

You have beautiful memories, Diana! You are very blessed. It must have been wonderful to have grown up under the wings of such a beautiful soul!

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

What a sweet tribute to your dad! Love the photo...you're a cutie! Enjoy your day!...hugs...Debbie

Anonymous said...

what a wild and wonderful childhood, your Dad was a gem, what an interesting man, Have the best day!

Something Nice and Pretty said...

You certainly were blessed Diana! My dad and I used to sit at the counter at the 5&10 and I'd have a hotdog and chocolate milk! Good memories!

pembrokeshire lass said...

What a lovely dad and great relationship you had!! My father died 22 years ago and I still miss him so much and regret all the things i wish I'd told him so I would echo your plea to tell your dad what you need to. Thanks for sharing lovely memories. Joan

Sunny Simple Life said...

Oh how I miss my daddy too. He has been gone 10 years now. These days are always bitter sweet reminders. I am always in envy of folks who have their folks well into their 50s.

NanaNor's said...

Diana, Once again I so related to this post, in fact will go try to find a photo and do a post of my own. My dad was 45 when I was born so I think we enjoyed the same type of childhood-being the light in our dads eyes. I had mine much longer but lost my mom when I was 21. Sending love your way.
Noreen

Ann said...

What special memories you have of your relationship with your Daddy. Love the stories you have. He looks so proud in the picture. I'm really missing my Dad today too,
Ann

Ricki Treleaven said...

I really love this special tribute to your father. Thank-you for sharing your story with us!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

It is such a blessing to have a good father. And you are right...you always miss them! I enjoyed reading some of your memories. I want to write more of mine down! Enjoy your day! We're taking it easy today.

Debby said...

Such wonderful memories. And look at you with all that black hair. SO cute.

Gert said...

Diana..what a lovely post...I'm so glad you had such a wonderful dad.Some of your memories reminded me of a few things my dad & i did too.

Blessings,
Gert

Blessed Serendipity said...

Diana that was the most heartfelt best father's day post I have read today. I can feel the love you have for your Dad and I just know he loved you so much.

xo,
Danielle

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful tribute, Diana. He sounds like great dad, and your childhood sounds perfect. I love the picture, your dad looks so proud holding you.

Cristina Garay said...

What a beautiful post to honor your dad, Diana! I love that pic where he is holding you! What a coincidence, that's the same age my dad was when I was born!

Nancy's Notes said...

Diana, your daddy was such a handsome and great man! Aww, what a great post about him, I can tell from your words that you cherished him and miss he dearly. Love that he laughed at you, that is so sweet and yes, I bet you were "the shining little star" in his life!

Hugs sweetie,
Nancy

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Diana,
Your Dad looks like Spence Tracy in that photo. I love it and look at you so cute and sweet....Daddy's little girl, no doubt.

I love how you remember him and all of those special times that you shared. You and your Father had a wonderful relationship and of that you can feel proud.

I miss my Dad everyday. He's been gone eight years now. He was a WWII Pearl Harbour survivor and was a proud and stong Christian man. Thanks for reminding me that I loved my Father for all the same reasons as you.

hugs
Sissie

Grammy Goodwill said...

What a sweet post you have written to honor the memory of your dad. I enjoyed reading it.

momto8 said...

loved reading about you'd dad....a beautiful tribute to him.

Sweet Tea said...

That is so sweet. What warm memories you have and I think you're right - your Dad probably did help make you the Gal you are today. Good job, Dad!

Dixie Delights said...

Love this post. So happy you have such wonderful memories of your daddy! xo

Sonya@Beyond the Screen Door said...

What a wonderful post, Diana! I loved reading your memories of your Dad. I remember my grandfather letting us switch the gears in his truck as he clutched!

Elaine said...

Nice tribute to your Dad..I also remember going with my day to stock auctions and watching the cows circle the ring and men bidding on them. My Dad died at 56 of cancer.

DearHelenHartman said...

What wonderful memories! I feel blessed to have met your dad through you today.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful Memories your dad and you.

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

I loved hearing your sweet memories of your father, Diana, and seeing the photos, too. My father is 80 now and lives across the country from me...I am missing him today...

Ocean Breezes and Country Sneezes said...

What a beautiful tribute to your dad. He sounds like he was quite the guy! What an amazing life he led.

My dad's been gong 25 years, he was only 57 when he passed away, and we miss him like crazy. I don't think it ever goes away.

Donna said...

AMEN, my friend! We were both blessed by great fathers. Mine has been gone many years, too, and I miss him every Father's Day. He went to heaven 3 days after Father's Day, and 4 days before my birthday. So, I never forget him. I have been blessed with three great men in my life - My Baba (mom's father), my daddy, and my sweetie. My sweetie hugs me enough for all three!

God bless you, Diana!
Hugs,
Donna

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Oh that was really special Diana!
I feel like crying for this sweet tribute to your Dad.
Your a great storyteller too!
Hugs,
Cindy

Petie said...

I love this story. Made me tear up.

Little Miss Maggie said...

What a beautiful tribute to your father, Diana. He sounds like he was a wonderful man.

Laura said...

Hi Diana, havent been able to get onto blogs for a few days now, been so lazy really, chilling out and having some r and r, getting my energy back!! So I missed a few posts, and I am so sorry to hear about poor baby jacob.. will pray for sure... And maybe sweetcheeks can give him a special kiss, even though she isnt thirteen yet!! bless, she is so gorgeous, hope she stays that way!! And I LOVE that boat bed, just adorable!!! really, I so love it!!! hope you all have a wonderful fathers day, and week! sending all my love, Laura xxx

Suzanne said...

What a beautiful tribute! My grandfather was a farmer, and I share many similar memories—stock barns and learning to drive on a pick-up.