Dear Dad,I missed seeing you today. But you'd be glad to know that you were thought of from the moment I rolled out of bed and you'll be my last thought when I close my eyes.You always made Father's Day fun in our family. Oddly enough, when I flipped through my rolodex of memories from this holiday, I kept stopping at the vision of you standing in the kitchen when I arrived for our gathering and asking, 'So what'd you bring me?' You were usually sporting your white socks pulled up over your shins and very pale bird legs, as we called them. And you were grinning. Always grinning. In between dipping a green pepper in Ranch, you would be smiling that goofy smile from ear to ear that I try to emulate, but Greg has told me 'I wouldn't recommend doing that in public.' You know the one.At least once during the family cook-out, you would have shuffled your way in for at least two chocolate-chip peanut-butter brownies like only Mom can make, taking the second after saying the first one was small, then saying, 'Debber Doo...whatcha got going on this next week?'And by the end of the evening, you would have noticed me packing up the kids' toys and gathering their shoes, only to say 'You leavin already?' Funny how getting up early for work now wouldn't have mattered.You'll be glad to know that Michelle made your favorite cheese ball today in your honor, though she didn't finely chop the onions like you once did, and I hope you heard me when I visited you this evening. I smiled driving out to the cemetery when I saw an older man drinking a beer on his porch alone, and wondered if he was a dad or had gotten a visit from his children.Happy Father's Day, Dad. I sometimes ask myself what I would give for just one more 'Debber Doo' or 'What'd you bring me?' And the answer is...Anything.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
father's day letter to dad
Dear Dad,I missed seeing you today. But you'd be glad to know that you were thought of from the moment I rolled out of bed and you'll be my last thought when I close my eyes.You always made Father's Day fun in our family. Oddly enough, when I flipped through my rolodex of memories from this holiday, I kept stopping at the vision of you standing in the kitchen when I arrived for our gathering and asking, 'So what'd you bring me?' You were usually sporting your white socks pulled up over your shins and very pale bird legs, as we called them. And you were grinning. Always grinning. In between dipping a green pepper in Ranch, you would be smiling that goofy smile from ear to ear that I try to emulate, but Greg has told me 'I wouldn't recommend doing that in public.' You know the one.At least once during the family cook-out, you would have shuffled your way in for at least two chocolate-chip peanut-butter brownies like only Mom can make, taking the second after saying the first one was small, then saying, 'Debber Doo...whatcha got going on this next week?'And by the end of the evening, you would have noticed me packing up the kids' toys and gathering their shoes, only to say 'You leavin already?' Funny how getting up early for work now wouldn't have mattered.You'll be glad to know that Michelle made your favorite cheese ball today in your honor, though she didn't finely chop the onions like you once did, and I hope you heard me when I visited you this evening. I smiled driving out to the cemetery when I saw an older man drinking a beer on his porch alone, and wondered if he was a dad or had gotten a visit from his children.Happy Father's Day, Dad. I sometimes ask myself what I would give for just one more 'Debber Doo' or 'What'd you bring me?' And the answer is...Anything.
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10 comments:
Deb...
It was great to read this. I can picture everything you wrote...
Especially the white socks..
I sure missed him today.
Deb, My father passed away in Nov. 2008 also, so your blog helps me deal with painful days too (like yesterday). Thank you for your talent.
To Vicwyn...
Thank YOU for reading! I enjoy writing...and I've found it helps to put my thoughts into words.
I am sorry to hear about the loss of your father. I hope memories keep you going.
Deborah
Seriously...I host a get together on father's day and you complain that I did not chop the onions finely enough? Priceless. :)
PS: Loved the note to Dad. He would have loved it too.
Michelle
When we headed to our Father's Day cookout yesterday, my husband turned on WFMS and I thought of you--I said a little prayer for your family and thanked God for giving me time with my own dad yesterday--thanks for sharing your memories and for the good reminders to cherish every moment we are given with loved ones.
I lost my father 3 years ago, April 17th and the heartache, at times, still feels as fresh as the day I lost him. I'd give anything to hear Punkin again, his nickname for me for as long as I can remember!
Debbie
just lost my dad a few weeks ago and it is a lot harder than I thought! We called him "bird legs" too and commented on his white socks (must be a papaw thing). My kids miss him terribly and I only hope they will remember his love for them. I would give anything to get that look that he would give when we already knew the answer.... really I would.
To the earlier reader,
Just wanted to say that I'm sorry for your loss. I know for me that talking about my Dad with my kids about the things that made him special are good ways to keep his memory alive. They now bring him up on their own.
My condolences,
Deborah
Thanks Deb but does it get any easier?
I don't know about that. It's not been a year for me since my Dad passed, and he died suddenly.
Keep talking about your loved one. That's what gets me through.
Take care,
Deb
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