from memories to dads...

[Guest guest]

I see the 'remember when' thread has taken yet another turn... this time to fond

memories of dads. My father passed in 2004. I was tagged as the oldest to do

the family eulogy for my dad. It was kind of a mixed thing. I miss my dad so

very much. He was a solitary, outdoors-man. My mom would have card club on

Sunday afternoons and my dad would be " stuck " with the 4 kids (4 of us born in 5

years, two girls, 2 boys). My dad never complained, he simply incorporated us

into his favorite activities. My dad liked to hike in the woods and go fishing.

He didn't want a lot of chatter as this was his " zen " time. All four of us

learned to " play by his rules " , and came to cherish that quiet time. We also

got to know more about my dad by what he didn't say and what he shared with each

of us. I love wild wintergreen, I know where to look for forest treasures, how

to appreciate the drumming of a pheasant, soak in the aroma of leaves in the

fall. I know what it is to sit quietly in a small boat as the water tickles the

hull of the cold aluminum hull. I know what it is to wait patiently for the

nibble of a fish on the bobbered line in the water. I know what it is to clean

my own fish and cook it up. These are some of the small " life's lessons " that

have become my fondest memories. My father hated funerals, so in his honor, I

did a 3-5 minute eulogy. I spent 3 days agonizing over the words. I ran it by

my two brothers and my sister as it was a gem of those memories that my mother

was totally unaware of. I still miss him, but I sense him in nature all around

me in those quiet times when I look at storm clouds, hear the rustle of leaves,

feel the cool waters in a lake or stream. His soul is there, where it always

has been.

Stefani 61 year old Utahn

ILD 2/2006, NSIP (cellular) 6/2009, UIP 9/2009, Diabetes II 2/2006, Sleep Apnea

4/2009