It has been 2 years since my dad passed away.
It doesn't really feel like he is really gone. Maybe because he isn't "gone." I am so grateful for the knowledge that I have to know that I will see him again.
A couple of days ago, Parker was wearing Dad's Tilly hat, and he said, "Mom, I want to go see Grandpa Joe in Heaven." "Well, Parker, some day, you will get to see Grandpa Joe in Heaven, I promise!"
I think Paisley looks like my dad. We should have called her Josephine! She has his red hair and blue eyes. {Even though Mom says that beautiful little Paisley looks nothing like grumpy old Dad!} It's nice to have that little reminder, that little connection to Dad. He would have gotten a kick out of her having red hair! Maybe we'll nickname her "Red."
Dad taught me so much. He loved learning and reading. That is something I am trying to pass onto my children.
All the cool things Dad knew, he would say, "This is a trick I learned from the Indians. I still picture him having an Indian friend!" I always thought an Indian showed him how to make sugar/lettuce rollups! {what a special treat!}
I remember "camping out" in the back yard. Before we would go outside, Dad would say to watch out for the One-eyed Indian. {You know, the one who is out searching for the kid who poked his eye out with a marshmallow stick? Yeah, that one!} It used to scare me to death!
I remember riding with him to Broulims and him letting me pick out one piece of candy. I'd always get the Jolly Rancher stick.
I remember Dad teaching me how to ride a bike. I remember the day he took me on the road, and ran behind me while I peddled, and then let go.
I remember going camping in High School, and Dad talking in his sleep, and just me just giggling at the gibberish, and on that same camping trip, him really teaching me how to fly fish.
I remember Dad getting me ready for 1st grade, and him combing my hair out with his little black comb.
I remember going to Pocatello with him and getting "snow balls!" {The coconut covered marshmallow covered cake.}
I remember dancing with him at my wedding and him telling me he was proud of me.
I have so many memories of Dad. I miss him. I love him.
{Will you share your favorite memory of him? Just leave a comment!}
Kate, I have quite a few memories of your dad as well. He taught my hunter safety class. I remember going sage hen hunting with him, and him and Ben (a cousin, I believe) showing us different guns and letting us shoot them...I also remember the kick some of those guns had. Your dad was a great dad! I am thinking of you and your family today. Angie
ReplyDeleteI have so many memories that to leave one is hard. I knew this day was coming and yet I can't believe that it has been two years. One thing that I still miss is the phone calls, and especially when we would just talk for over an hour, and I knew it was over an hour because when we would start dad would tell me about the train that had just passed his house on the way to Poky, and then I would tell him when it would go past my house. That was sooo much fun. I also remember the last time that he looked really good. That was at Ben's 2nd birthday party. He practically skipped up my stairs, which was no small feat. Yeah, that makes me cry. I miss him, too.
ReplyDeleteI also have so many memories, it is hard to keep them all straight. When we lived in Menan, I used to stand outside in the garage with Dad and Ben for hours every night, standing and talking. I got a "real" education out there, let me tell you. The things I would hear! I remember the look on his face when he realized we were keeping Wisky. It is funny, because he pretended like he minded a lot, but you know what? That first night Wisky slept in HIS bed, so I think he wasn't quite as mad about keeping her as he let on. When I was going to college the first time, I talked to him almost every day. I would share my experiences of the day with him. I remember when he came to my Boot Camp graduation. He was bursting with pride. And the last thing he said to me on the phone what that he was so proud of me for going back to school. I know he was disappointed that I left the Navy, but he knew it was the right choice for me. I miss him terribly and wish so many times I could call him up and get some answers. To any question, because, you know, he pretty much knew everything. I'm just glad for the memories I have and all the fun times we had together.
ReplyDelete~Pam
Oh Kate, that was really sweet! Those memories are great and priceless. Thanks for sharing those sweet things about your dad and your memories, they were so cute. I loved the "one eyed indian".
ReplyDeleteI too have plenty of memories of your dad. I know that the only time that I was grounded as a kid was a day after we graduated from hunters safety and we stayed over at the garage reloading shotgun shells until dark. Of course Scott was grounded much longer than me so my grounding was pretty small. A memory that sticks in my mind is the time I went to Bancroft to visit. You all went to church and your dad asked if I wanted to go to Soda Springs with him. At the time I was seeing Pam so when he took the back roads to Soda I was a little concerned that I might not make it back. He took me out and showed me where the Oregon Trail was still visible and so many other things. It was probably the most one on one time we had together and it was quite enjoyable. I used to talk to him on the phone when I would call for you or Pam and he would answer the phone. The Berrett's miss him. Thad
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