March was a happy month for me.. getting to go to California and be with my new grandson… But my trip was interrupted with devastating news that EMS crews were at the home of my father; and he wasn’t breathing.
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In Loving Memory of My Dad..
1936 – March 26th, 2010
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My father loved us without bounds and was so very devoted to his family.
Those who knew dad during our teen years and even 20 – 15 years ago.. know that he was the “lion of his den”. He ruled his kingdom with a loving, caring but firm hand. In these last several years.. stricken with Alzheimers, he became more of a sweet and vulnerable kitten. … I loved them both.
He was a man who whistled while he worked; and sang when he showered and shaved. When I was a kid.. “You Are My Sunshine” would resonate from the bathroom mixed with the smell of his shaving cream and after shave cologne. You didn’t come or go; or even pass in the hallway without a quick kiss, a pat or a hug. He didn’t reserve that affection for just us.. Throughout his life, he pretty much hugged and kissed anyone who would let him. (As most of the women who attend their church will testify.)
He was a simple man.. and did things because it was the right thing to do. He always found a way to share his life’s wisdom with us growing up. As a teen.. I probably referred to them as lectures. As an adult, I’ve come to appreciate those little talks as “golden nuggets”.
One of those golden nuggets was that when you get older.. if you can hold up more than 1 or 2 fingers to count your truly good friends… then you are a blessed person.
After 30 years with American Airlines; Dad enjoyed a few good years of retirement driving a school bus and golfing as much as he could, until the alzheimers got in the way.
On Thursday March 26th, he chuckled at my mom and my sister and took his last breath in my mother’s arms.. his wife of 56 years. The sudden cause of death was a massive heart attack; symptomatic of the debilitating affects of Alzheimers. It was quick and painless, the doctors said.
I believe that if he could leave us with another golden nugget.. It would be to make absolutely sure that those you love_ know it, follow the instructions Jesus gave us and love your fellow man, help those you can; and do everything in your power to turn your “someday” into today.
Daddy… You are my still my sunshine..
