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Cheers to the Daddy!


Today is the anniversary of the Daddy's spirit passing into the Heavens. I didn't realize that until I checked the calendar to write the date for a journal entry. Must've been why I didn't feel like getting up this morning. The Husband said, "You were dragging yourself down the hall."

The memories are strong. Here are a few moments that I recall about the Daddy: Him handing my five-year-old self a pear that he picked from the orchard where we sat. It was the Daddy's smoke time. No matter where he was in the tomato field, where he kept watch of the water flow in the irrigation canals, far away or near by, he walked back to the car and sat with me until smoke time was over.

The Daddy taking me to my first day of school, my first day of first grade, and my first day at my new school. Nothing was ever said between us that I can remember. I scurried beside and a little behind him swinging my lunchbox. He walked up to the teacher or the principal and confidently introduced himself and me, then after a brief conversation with the adult, he looked at me, as if saying 'You're a big girl. I know you can take care of myself."


The Daddy saying to my 19-year-old self, "Don't be a hippie." If you're interested, click here for a story about that incident.

The Daddy climbing three flights of stairs to my new apartment in the City. I came out to the hallway to see him lean against the wall as he looked at the last flight of stairs.  Breathless he said to my 26-year-old self, "Are you trying to kill me?!"

The Daddy and I walking on Geary Boulevard in search of a liquor store.  The Daddy wanted to buy a pint of whiskey to celebrate the family all being together.

The Daddy making one of his rare, and always important, phone calls to me. This was his last phone call. He asked my 28-year-old self when I was coming for a visit. "Don't wait long," he said, signing off.

The Daddy standing at the doorway to my old bedroom on the last night of my visit, simply looking at me as I did whatever silly thing I was doing. "What?" I asked. "Nothing." He smiled. I went back to doing whatever silly thing I was doing, feeling him look some more, then left. Two weeks later, while I sat at my first lunch out with the colleagues at my new job, I felt a long cool flush go through my chest. Later, I learned that was about the time the Daddy died.

That was 36 years ago. I am so fortunate to have had the Daddy in my life.


I'm linking up with All Seasons, a weekly meme hosted by Jesh at Artworks from Jesh St.G. Click here to check out Jesh and her meme. For the participants list, click here. Thanks, Jesh!




Comments

  1. I can feel the connection reading your post. A beautiful tribute!

    -Soma

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  2. Thank you for sharing The Daddy with us . . . through you I pretend to have family, too. love & love, -g-

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    Replies
    1. The Daddy would've enjoyed meeting you, too, G. :-)

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  3. It was fortunate you had him for a good number of years, I lost mine when I was seven.

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    Replies
    1. So young you were. I hope you have a few good memories of your dad, Adam.

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  4. Such precious memories don't fade over time ... they become sweeter and ever more treasured! Thank you for sharing with us ... beautifully written!

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  5. I agree with Adam - you had more precious years with him than I had with mine. He died of cancer when I was 14. Hold onto your memories.

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    Replies
    1. You and Adam have me realizing how very fortunate I was to have the Daddy in my life as long as I did. Cheers to our memories!

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  6. What a magnificent bunch of memories. Made me smile, they did. :)

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  7. I’m sorry I didn’t see this until now but I’m so glad I saw it now because it made me smile even though it was sad as well. Some memories are sweet and some...not so much but at least we have them and can share them. Thanks for sharing.

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    Replies
    1. The not-so-sweet ones at the time have become sweet over time for me. :-)

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Thanks for the good cheer. :-)

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