Came across this picture of Dad - from 1980 or 81 I am sure - I think the cake is his birthday cake too. It's a favorite shot of mine - the way I remember Dad before his health declined.
And note my apron - my mom made if for me from that old pattern that I have been using of late to make aprons. I loved it - wore it out in fact.
Happy Father's Day to all you dads out there - and may your kids have great memories like I do of a dad who was really there for me all the time. If I was sick at night, he's the one who came in. When I had whooping cough and would have major coughing attacks at night that scared the beejeebies out of me, he would come in and start counting slowly, and soon I'd be calm again and the coughing would subside. If we wanted to go somewhere, he drove us there - and waited for us till we were done - I think he kept a blanket in the car so he could snooze while he waited. (He drove us because he didn't want us driving - but he taught me to drive! And offerred to drive me anywhere I wanted to go!)
I can remember him making yellow cakes with duck eggs from the Embertsons. I can remember him braiding my hair - and that's an old memory because my hair was only long when I was quite young. I can remember him ironing our dresses on Sunday mornings. And showing me how to polish my shoes. (Do kids today even know about polishing shoes?)
I remember doing homework around the dining room table - and Dad helping me with a poster for a science report on bees - he drew the pictures of the bees for me. And I remember him driving me to school with my Brazilian coffee plantation project - we normally walked, but this was a large piece of wood with a replica of a coffee plantation that I had made - with his help - and there was no way I could carry it!
Dad drove us to Stake dances, early morning Seminary, Mutual activities, and the Saturday matinees at the Panorama Theater. I also remember some kind of small car races where he would buy us candy bars. And I remember ball games - but I'm not sure what farm team they were. One summer he drove me to work each day - at a cosmetic factory near his shop. And came and picked me up and brought me back to the shop to wait until he was finished.
Dad built the house Mom still lives in - and I grew up on a construction sight. It was fun - probably drove him and Mom nuts, but I remember smooth cement foundations perfect for roller skating. And huge piles of sand. And framed walls that facilitated climbing. And lots of spare wood for tree houses. And the worlds biggest playhouse!
Dad didn't grow up with sisters, so maybe that is why he was so protective. But I was happy. Perhaps I have forgotten the things that made me unhappy. But that doesn't diminish the happy memories.
Thanks, Dad!! Happy Father's Day!
6 comments:
How nice!
I know how to polish shoes. In fact, my dad showed me how to polish mine. Not until I was 15 or 16 and actually owned some boots that got scuffed--and then I moved to Utah and wore boots all the time. So I've made good use of the polish he gave me.
I didn't know you worked at a cosmetics factory.
Great tribute. I always look forward to getting to know both of my grandfathers better someday, but for now it's nice to hear stories about them.
That was a well earned comment. Your father was a great man. He loved all of you and truly was a great father. I hope you always remember what a good example he was. Lots of memories to be rememebered.
by the way this was mom not me.
I remember working for the same cosmetic company. I would also ride with Dad sometimes them after work walk to his shop when the weather was nice. I remember most that mother use to take and pick me up. Yes, he was a good father. If I wanted something I would get it but not all the time. I can remeber getting into trouble but not often. We, Mom, Donna, and I went and put flowers on his grave today. The weather was great. Donna said that it was normally cold, but it was warm today. I cut the grass away from the head stone. It is so nice and peaceful their.
I haven't been to Grandpa's grave since he was buried. I should go sometime when I'm down there.
It's been a few years since I've been to Grandpa Terrill's, too.
I was thinking yesterday that we should do a "cemetery trip" - I have never been to my Grandma and Grandpa Steven's graves - and I think my mom would enjoy that.
I remember grandpa when he looked like that. Hey I remember YOU when you looked like that. You were probably my age.
EEEK.
And I learned how to polish shoes from my Dad. My children should learn to polish shoes, but they never wear them.
Post a Comment