Monday, September 7, 2015

Remembering Daddy

My Dad passed away August 31st as I was driving through the traffic in Atlanta. He tried to wait for me to get there, but he just couldn't make it. I am thankful that he was surrounded by the love of my extended family as he passed on. My step-sister, Glenda was holding his hand and told me that he was very peaceful as he just stopped breathing and slipped away quietly.

That was how my Dad was. He never wanted to be a bother to anyone. He was always the one taking care of others. This last week has passed by in a haze. It seemed to pass by so quickly and yet, everything seemed to be in slow motion. 

When asked for some stories about Daddy that we might want included in his eulogy, my mind went completely blank as others told theirs. I was driving home and remembering all the little quirky things that made me smile when I thought of him. Had he been there in the car with me, he would have read every billboard and road sign aloud, some of them in a song. I find myself doing that sometimes. 

Twenty years in the Navy, he never learned to swim. He always refused to get in my pool, even though I would tease him and offer to get him some water wings. He would sit there by the pool to keep me company and read a book. He passed his love of reading on to both of his daughters. 

A wonderful father, he was first and foremost an exceptional husband. Loyal to a fault, he gave my mother a wonderful life. He was attentive to her every need and her passing left him quite lonely. He decided to sell his home and move to the Veterans home in Gulf Port, Mississippi. Although the quarters were quite small, he managed to organize everything he wanted to keep. He was quite particular about keeping everything in order.

He made friends easily and would tell me about them in our weekly calls. Nearly all of them eventually required help and Daddy was right there to help, just as he was with my mother. After the third guy he had befriended died, I told him to stop making friends, he was reducing the population!

He visited me often here at the campground. Everybody in town knew my Daddy, even if they didn't know me. He was just so likable. During one of his visits, he told me that he was thinking of moving into the campground and nothing would have made me happier; but he also told me that he was corresponding with a special lady.

Daddy never moved here, but he did leave the Veterans home after he courted  and married that special lady. She is still quite special to me. They had 10 wonderful years together. So happy, they still held hands and were constantly proclaiming their love to one another.

Daddy was always optimistic and when he was given his diagnosis, he accepted whatever treatment was available to him. He was determined to be with us as long as he could. The biggest obstacle was having others take care of him. This was out of character for him. 

I long to pick up the phone to call him just one more time. I guess everyone feels that way when they lose a loved one. I take comfort in knowing that we said all the things we wanted to say to each other during all of my last visits.

 

9 comments:

luksky said...

So sorry to hear of your loss. What a beautiful tribute. ((hugs))

Val said...

So sorry to hear about your dad. You are in my thoughts.

Travels with Emma said...

My sincerest condolences to you and your family.

Kathy G said...

It's never easy to say goodbye to someone we love, but it sounds like your Daddy is in a better place.

Anonymous said...

My condolences on your loss. What a wonderful man your dad was and I know you will miss him something terrible.

Gloria Kirkland said...

Such a beautiful tribute to your daddy Kathy! I'm so thankful that you have some precious memories of your dad. May they bring much comfort to your broken heart and a smile to your face as you recall them in the tough moments ahead. So hard when you lose a loved one, letting them go is especially tough.....will be keeping you close in my thoughts and prayers...

Char said...

Blessings and hugs to you and your family!

Unknown said...

I have been following your blog since the beginning of Summer. I am so sorry to hear about your dear Daddy. Peace be with you!

joanne said...

gKathy, I am so sorry to hear of your dad's passing. I have been without a computer and can't seem to comment when I read posts on the Kindle so I am late at getting this to you. You have been on my mind for quite some time now as I know you had been waiting the dreaded phone call...the one we all have to answer sooner or later. God bless your daddy, he sounds like a wonderful man, a patient loving husband and most of all a great daddy. We were blessed, you and I, to have such wonderful men in our lives to raise us up and share such wonderful stories. I am glad he was surrounded by love on his journey home and even though you couldn't get there he knew...he knew. I am sure his wonderful memory will bring peace and comfort to you in the coming days. let it be dear one.