Here are a few more pictures I dug up of Daddy when he was healthy.
This one was taken the first year we rented the Vera Cruz House in Destin. We got all five kids together with Daddy.
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This is Dad throwing his mullet net from the back deck of the Vera Cruz House.
This is Dad holding his mullet net with some mullet in it (that thing is really heavy, by the way!)
5 comments:
Love the photo of your strong dad holding the heavy mullet (although I don't know what a mullet is!). And really love the last one of you two together. What a wonderful dad. What a wonderful daughter (you are being so strong).
Thank you, Lydia. Mullet is a kind of fish, and the best way to catch them is by throwing a mullet net. The thing is super-heavy because it has lead weights at the bottom of it to make it sink quickly once it hits the water (mullet are notoriously skittish and scatter quickly!). Dad loves to go to Destin to fish for mullet!
See, now without your blog I'd never have known this! You have made me curious enough to check it out further (i.e., are they good eatin', etc.). I have observed that men who love to fish are so often very grounded, thoughtful, modest, appreciative, and quietly humorous guys. From the little I'm learning here about your dad he seems to be the poster boy for all those qualities!
My Dad has been gone since 1974 but I can remember everything he ever told me. I used to cry because I wanted to swim that day and the sky looked like rain but Dad would look at the sky and say, “no rain today” and he was right. I remember he would rake leaves and let us jump in them. Small gesture, but much grander than the nice 10-speed bike I had received for Christmas.
Dad could tell the weather by watching the wind blow the leaves on trees. He could tell a person’s honesty or personality, be it bad or good, by a simple handshake. He used to say “one day you will have insurance but can’t use it.” He was sure right on that one. Many times Dad would give his gas can to someone who had run out of gas in front of our house. Mom would chuckle and say, “you’ll never see that again.” Dad would just say, well that means he needs it more than me. Dad rarely got those cans back, but it taught me to be kind, forgiving and more than that always willing to help.
If you have any questions you want answered from your Dad now is the time to ask.. I once asked my Dad what he felt the first time he held me. He told me that when my first child is born that I would instantly have a love like nothing I had ever felt before and within the first seconds of their life. He was right. I tell every expectant parent that story and they never fail to say you were so...right.
I still pass on to my children and grandchildren sayings of my Dad. You will realize although you swore you would never say or do some things your Mom or Dad did, you will. Visit your Dad often, hold his hand and tell him how much you love him. I wish I had the opportunity to hold my Dad's hand again. You will cry and he probably will too. That’s okay. That means you both have feelings. Tears are God’s way of washing away some of the pain.
It will be the small things you will remember. And like any child, then teenager, I would tell my Father that I did not like him. This later haunted me until I realized when I became a parent that we parents love our children unconditionally. You will forget the bad times and only remember the good times.
I wish and pray very hard that God will grant a miracle for Doug. I have witnessed many what I call miracles in the last two weeks. For me, I have become a much stronger Christian. You are closest to God when on your knees in prayer. I find that I am praying harder and praying more for those closest to me. And....as Charles Stanley put so well, all this is God’s plan. Every thing that happens in life is part of God’s plan.
When small and I would complain about something my Dad would say, “no where on anyone’s birth certificate does it say “life is fair.” No, life is not fair - this is not fair. Not fair to love a father so much and want him to be here for you and for your children. It is not fair and my heart breaks for each of you.
We will continue to pray and we are here for you if you need anything. I had a wonderful chat with Debbie tonight. One that we both needed. You will find that your sisters and brothers will always be there for you. I pray for all of you that God will give you strength and that you will feel His constant love and know that His arms are wrapped tightly around you and in your weakest moments He will carry you through the darkest times and, as promised, He will never leave you.
Wow, Aunt Loretta, thanks. What a wonderful post! We are cherishing every minute with Dad. I would write more, but I just don't have the mental energy right now.
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