my dad was the happiest person i've ever known. when i was a little girl, i always felt so proud to be his daughter. i'd go with him to the grocery store and watch as he was so kind to people. he had this way of making people feel good. he loved to make people laugh. this old photo of my dad jumping off the diving board pretty much sums up his take on life. he never took himself too seriously and always managed to keep his priorities straight.
my youngest son landre loves to play board games - like The Game of Life
and Monopoly (not the jr. edition). he always wants me or steve to play Chess or Stratego or Gin Rummy. and i hate to admit this - but we are just too busy to play games with landre every night.....
my dad wasn't ever too busy to play games with me and rhonda. i have countless memories of sitting at the kitchen table playing Yahtzee, Go for Broke, Masterpiece, etc. Mom wasn't much for games, but while she did laundry, made dinner, and cleaned, she allowed Dad to play with us.
i think about how many times i have to limit steve and landre's wrestling matches because i need help! my mom was very generous in allowing Dad to "waste all evening" playing games with his two little girls.
so when landre pleads for just one chess match - it is often the memory of my dad that prompts me to drop what i am doing and play with him. i want my kids to have the same type of memories that me and rhonda were so fortunate to have.
i know my dad is in heaven - i know the angels have already fallen in love with him. because everyone who knew my dad loved him. isn't that remarkable? to live life without ever making any enemieswwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
sleepy ness
but i miss him so much. my heart aches because my kids are missing out on his wonderful influence. my heart aches for my mom who lost her lover, companion, and soulmate. my heart aches for my sister rhonda who i know still grieves his loss.
this may sound very freaky - and i am sure it doesn't fit into correct thelogy - but sometimes i do sense his presence. sometimes i think i smell his cologne - out of nowhere - i'll get this wonderful whiff of him. and then, my middle son carter reminds all of us so much of Dad. his build and his zany sense of humor, his big heart and love of life.
tomorrow - i promise to have=======
falling asleepppppppppppkk\
tomorrow - i promise to have incoherent - lala land
over rr and out ,
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4 comments:
i love you. you are one of my life mentors.
I wish I would have had the chance to meet your dad. From what I have been told he was a truely amazing man who loved everyone. I hear he was a true picture of Christ.
I am so sorry he isn't here for you and the kids.
Jaki,
Your dad sounds like he was an amazing man! I am quite certain he lives on through you girls, because you both are great women!
And as for playing games, my son wants us to play games every night too. And when we are busy, and I say no, I feel guilty. So, I understand. Juggling everyday life can be difficult for adults to do and harder for children to understand. My son is so wise beyond his years that at times I have to remind myself he is just a child and although he is wise, he doesn't always understand the adult world. I sense you have that in Landre too :)
**Hugs**
This is a hard one for me to comment on, and I've been unsuccessful each time I've tried. Your Dad was obviously very special, and every picture, every wonderful story breaks my heart for your family's loss. Wouldn't it be something if every child could have a father like yours? I guess that's the other thing that happens when I read the stories of your dad-my heart breaks for the children who don't have that rock to lean on with their parents.
The few times I talked to your Dad, he seemed like someone I'd always known. A comfortable feeling sort of like being with one of my brothers. Must have been the way most people felt around him, and why he was so loved. God bless you and your family.
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