Happy Birthday Dad

Dad,

If you were here today, you would have turned 76. 

I am working today, on your birthday.  As I sit at my desk and watch the senior men here going about their daily life, I wonder WHY are they here?  WHY aren't you?  The truth is, I'll never know why. 

I just got off the phone with Mom. She's doing okay today. 

We both wish you were here with us but not selfish enough to want that at the cost of your pain and suffering.

I talked to Jennifer about making some type of strawberry dessert today.  As I sat and wondered if I could get through a piece of strawberry shortcake, something amazing happened.  A very special resident here (one of the ones that I sit and wonder "why?"), Billy, came into my office and brought me a fresh bowl of strawberries and some dipping sauce.  He has NO idea!

I told him what today was and he pulled up a chair and we shared a very special bowl of strawberries in your honor.

If you were here today, you would have met my husband, seen my new house, know about my new job, seen Shane turn 16 and get his learners permit to drive and went with us to Aunt Edna's grand-daughter's wedding just in this last year.

As I sit thinking about you today and getting a more than a little misty-eyed, I find myself missing your blue eyes and ever present strong hands that were always there for me. 

I am going to go home and hug my children as soon as I can.  Maybe one day they will look back and remember my hugs too?

Comments

[Danny's Mom]

I remember my Dad with equal love and respect. His picture and My Mother's are to my right in the office so as I do things I can simply look up and they are watching. My Dad passed on the day after my 21st Birthday, leaving me without a man to talk things over with for most of my life. Guess that is why I was so blessed with 3 good sons and a marvelous daughter. Now I have the extra blessing of good daughter-in-laws and a most wonderful son-in-law as a bonus.
Just thinking that people are not perfect but the memories you select to keep with you can be....like wearing your Dad's hat when you were very little, or clomping around in his house-shoes or dancing on his feet in a waltz. Your Danny was the last person to speak to my Dad, we will never know what that conversation was....it is lost to time, but Danny was only 16 months old and had to get up on the bed and talk to Dad (whom he called "AND DAD") and I am the happier for that one interaction than anything else.
My Dad would be 106 come this July...yet he left us at 64. I miss him still......

[MICHAEL MANNING]

Chana: How well I relate. My Dad's BD was April 15th. My condolences to you.

[pogonip]

My dad died at 61, ages ago. Now I realize how young 61 was and how much more time we could have, should have had with him.

p.s. I'm soooo glad you're back--I was getting 401'd when I tried to access your blog--I've missed you!

[MICHAEL MANNING]

(((HUGS))) to you and your family! I relate.

[Gayatri]

he still is around and with u at all times!

[BB]

Well, I wasn't going to cry, and then the last 2 sentences, "I am going to go home and hug my children as soon as I can. Maybe one day they will look back and remember my hugs too?" got me.

My dad's birthday was 3 days ago. He would have been 70. He was loved by so many... There must have been 300 people at his funeral. He touched more lives than I could ever hope to. While he was alive, I didn't appreciate just how special and influential he was. Now I know, and I wish I could tell him, but I think he knows how I feel, and he's keeping an eye on me.

Hey Dad, Happy Late Birthday, and thanks for all you did for me.