| O/T Sure do miss you so - Happy Pappy's Day - Goto page 1, 2 Next |
| View previous topic
:: View next topic |
dithers
 Posted:
Sat Jun 17, 2006 3:55 pm |
|
|
|
O/T Sure do miss you so - Happy Pappy's Day
deleted
Last edited by dithers on Sun Jun 18, 2006 10:01 am; edited 1 time in total
|
|
Pretty in Blonde
Joined: 17 Apr 2006
Posts: 3468
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
| BhamMom
Posted:
Sat Jun 17, 2006 4:03 pm |
|
|
|
Dithers,
Thank you for that poem about your dad. I know he was a wonderful man by reading this and loved you very much. Yes, cherish those re-told tales and pass them on. You mande me 
|
|
** Banned **
Joined: 23 Mar 2006
Posts: 13086
Location: Posting with bitter people
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| SavannahStar
Posted:
Sat Jun 17, 2006 4:10 pm |
|
|
|
LOVE the photos, Dithers...what a handsome man he was...and loved you so. Thank you for sharing that with us.
|
|
**SuperStar**
Joined: 24 Mar 2006
Posts: 21291
Location: Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| dithers
Posted:
Sat Jun 17, 2006 4:14 pm |
|
|
|
I hope people forgive my self-indulgence but I figure it's pretty easy just to by-pass a posting like this if one isn't interested.
Thanks for the kind words. I thought it might be a nice tribute to all of the dads out there tomorrow.
|
|
Pretty in Blonde
Joined: 17 Apr 2006
Posts: 3468
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| hisss
Posted:
Sat Jun 17, 2006 4:32 pm |
|
|
|
Dithers, that is a beautiful tribute to your Dad and I thank you for sharing.
My own wonderful Dad died on November 17 also, but it was in 1977. So long ago but I think of him daily and he is in my heart, he was my hero.
|
|
** Banned **
Joined: 23 Mar 2006
Posts: 1913
Location: oHIo
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| FocusFactor
Posted:
Sat Jun 17, 2006 4:42 pm |
|
|
|
What a wonderful poem, dithers! Thanks for sharing it.
Last edited by FocusFactor on Thu Aug 03, 2006 2:17 pm; edited 1 time in total
|
|
** Banned **
Joined: 23 Mar 2006
Posts: 2035
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| dithers
Posted:
Sat Jun 17, 2006 4:54 pm |
|
|
|
Focus,
Well if this pic was taken after he was in prison then it looks like all turned out happy and well in the end.
| Quote: | | He wasn't the greatest dad in the world, but he loved us |
Hey, in the end, isn't that all that matters? And most importantly, isn't it all that matters that you know that?
I'm glad to see that my poem seems to be getting people to post memories about their dads.
As my dad was always so fond of saying - Three cheers for [fill in the blank].
So I say three cheers for dads - hip hip hooray, hip hip hooray, hip hip horray!
|
|
Pretty in Blonde
Joined: 17 Apr 2006
Posts: 3468
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| FocusFactor
Posted:
Sat Jun 17, 2006 5:02 pm |
|
|
|
| dithers wrote: | Focus,
Well if this pic was taken after he was in prison then it looks like all turned out happy and well in the end.
| Quote: | | He wasn't the greatest dad in the world, but he loved us |
Hey, in the end, isn't that all that matters? And most importantly, isn't it all that matters that you know that?
I'm glad to see that my poem seems to be getting people to post memories about their dads.
As my dad was always so fond of saying - Three cheers for [fill in the blank].
So I say three cheers for dads - hip hip hooray, hip hip hooray, hip hip horray! |
Yes dithers, he turned out to be an awesome Grandpa. We gave him 27 grandkids plus 3 stepchild grands. His favorite thing was teaching them how to swing a golf club...nice memories for them.
(ps, his crimes were non-violent, nothing sordid. He was a thief. Considered himself to be the Steve McQueen type of guy. The funny thing was if a cashier gave him too much change he would drive back and return it...all of us turned out to be honest citizens, my sis is running for a small office in her town...hehehe name recognition)
|
|
** Banned **
Joined: 23 Mar 2006
Posts: 2035
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| JennyM
Posted:
Sat Jun 17, 2006 5:03 pm |
|
|
|
FF and Dithers, thank you so much for sharing those with us.
You are always so geneous in spirit.
I love this thread.
|
|
** Banned **
Joined: 24 Mar 2006
Posts: 7908
Location: America. Home of the brave and the free
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| pax
Posted:
Sat Jun 17, 2006 5:19 pm |
|
|
|
I love my dad so much.
We have had disagreements, like many fathers and sons. But I have always respected his integrity, truthfulness, and willingness to discuss things in a logical manner.
Here's a little story about him. When he was a senior in high school, the students were asked to write an essay about what one word is most important to them. He wrote about the word "sacrifice." The winner of the essay got to go to Washington to meet their congressman. The prinicipal called him in and told him he had won the essay contest, but that the person who came in second was from a poor part of town (Boston area, Roxbury), and had never been to Washington, D.C. My dad had visited D.C. the previous year with his family. So, my dad suggested that they award the prize to the other kid. No one ever knew other than my dad and the principal. That really is what my dad has been like all his life.
Also, when my father was a journalist, he interviewed Martin Luther King, Jr. twice. King told him that my dad was one of the few journalists who understood that King was primarily a theologian, rather than a political figure. My dad wrote a book in which a chapter was about King's theology. I will never forget seeing my dad cry when King was killed. I was only seven years old, but it has always stayed with me.
Another brief story. My dad was an executive at a newspaper in Detroit. He used to go to ball games with a friend from the paper. I always had assumed it was another executive, until one day he was taking me to a Tigers game. His friend was the parking lot attendant at the newspaper. That's the type of person he is, never makes a big deal out of stuff like that.
Gosh, I've got a bunch of stories like this. I just want to say that I am glad to live in the same town as my dad. I'm taking him out for a special barbeque for Father's Day tomorrow.
Everyone here, if you have the chance, please tell your father that you love him. And to those who have lost your father, honor his memory in some way.
|
|
Joined: 23 Mar 2006
Posts: 16326
Location: Wish You Were Here
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Heli
Posted:
Sat Jun 17, 2006 5:22 pm |
|
|
|
FF not everyone has a "perfect" dad; some of us had fathers who may have been so in name alone: unemotional, unreachable, distant but in my case, Dad was devoted to the bottle while we faced growing up in the co-dependent, hyper-vigilant shadow of his presence.
For all of the sorrows and heartaches we lived through, I came to know my father as a pitiful and pathetic person who medicated with alcohol and cigarettes to compensate for terrible feelings of inadequacy.
My father died December 6, 2004 of lung cancer. He never told me he loved me, he never hugged me once in my life and to be honest, I don't even remember ever having felt his touch until the night he died, when I touched his hand and kissed his face after he'd taken his last breath. My father at 78 was gone and I'd never felt the love or touch of a father.
To all the Refugee fathers, I wish you the happiest Father's Day. Fathers do matter; fathers are irreplaceable and mothers cannot be fathers, EVER.
Tim Russert has written a powerful and wonderful book about his father entitled "Big Russ and Me". It touched my heart deeply as do all of Tim's amazing stories about his amazing father.
|
|
Transcription Goddess
Joined: 23 Mar 2006
Posts: 23516
Location: Puffed Up DimWit
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| FocusFactor
Posted:
Sat Jun 17, 2006 5:22 pm |
|
|
|
Give him an extra big hug tomorrow Pax, what great stories.
|
|
** Banned **
Joined: 23 Mar 2006
Posts: 2035
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| FocusFactor
Posted:
Sat Jun 17, 2006 5:26 pm |
|
|
|
Oh Heli, that is very touching. My best friend is going through something similar with her father right now.
You know, it is very hard to find a card that doesn't say "to the best dad in the world" and the reality, especially nowadays with so many absent fathers, is that most fathers are NOT the stuff cards are made for.
|
|
** Banned **
Joined: 23 Mar 2006
Posts: 2035
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| dithers
Posted:
Sat Jun 17, 2006 5:34 pm |
|
|
|
Pax,
deleted
And Heli, I'm giving away the answer to my lyrics question but I'm going to post the whole song here for you in hopes it might help you feel good.
The greatest man I never knew
Lived just down the hall
And everyday we said hello
But never touched at all
He was in his paper
I was in my room
How was I to know he thought I hung the moon
The greatest man I never knew
Came home late every night
He never had too much to say
Too much was on his mind
I never really knew him
And now it seems so sad
Everything he gave to us took all he had
Then the days turned into years
And the memories to black and white
He grew cold like an old winter wind
Blowing across my life
The greatest words I never heard
I guess Ill never hear
The man I thought could never die's
been dead almost a year
He was good at business
But there was business left to do
He never said he loved me
Guess he thought I knew
It's by Reba McEntire - a beautiful song.
Last edited by dithers on Sat Jun 17, 2006 7:40 pm; edited 2 times in total
|
|
Pretty in Blonde
Joined: 17 Apr 2006
Posts: 3468
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| pax
Posted:
Sat Jun 17, 2006 5:36 pm |
|
|
|
Dithers, I do not share your cynicism. Just watch the National Spelling Bee. There are many great kids, many great people. Always have been, and always will be. Hard work, sacrifice, optimism and integrity are still valued in this country. Regardless of your political views.
|
|
Joined: 23 Mar 2006
Posts: 16326
Location: Wish You Were Here
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| dithers
Posted:
Sat Jun 17, 2006 5:39 pm |
|
|
|
Pax,
Too bad you brought a sour note here. I wasn't talking about the kids.
Last edited by dithers on Sun Jun 18, 2006 10:02 am; edited 2 times in total
|
|
Pretty in Blonde
Joined: 17 Apr 2006
Posts: 3468
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| lushus
Posted:
Sat Jun 17, 2006 5:55 pm |
|
|
|
I lost my father to a brain tumor on June, 08, 1998 ..
Every day, I think about him ..
Every day, I miss him ..
We had just 'celebrated' his 68th birthday ..
Happy Father's Day Dad,
Tiger
xoxo
|
|
Joined: 24 Mar 2006
Posts: 8288
Location: Oo(^.^)y-~~ smokin\'
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| likestoflap-lol
Posted:
Sat Jun 17, 2006 6:15 pm |
|
|
|
wonderful storys to treasure. we have memorys of our dads who have passed and those who have a dad who is still full of life -you are very lucky to be able to make a phone call tomorrow
Last edited by likestoflap-lol on Sat Jan 06, 2007 9:21 pm; edited 1 time in total
|
|
** Banned **
Joined: 24 Mar 2006
Posts: 2433
Location: at the mall buying purple sandals to meet clients -oh my~!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| dithers
Posted:
Sat Jun 17, 2006 6:20 pm |
|
|
|
I just think all of these posts are the greatest and am enjoying reading them all. I was so reluctant to start the thread, especially using my own poem, but how glad I am that I did.
|
|
Pretty in Blonde
Joined: 17 Apr 2006
Posts: 3468
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Heli
Posted:
Sat Jun 17, 2006 7:22 pm |
|
|
|
Dithers, hugs to you for that Reba song which I'm familiar with, but never before had truly listened to nor acknowledged its words.
I love this thread and I feel privileged to have all of you share your most personal stories. These moments are what make Refugees and each of you treasured and special friends.
|
|
Transcription Goddess
Joined: 23 Mar 2006
Posts: 23516
Location: Puffed Up DimWit
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| gagal_05
Posted:
Sat Jun 17, 2006 7:30 pm |
|
|
|
I lost my father when he was only 47 years old. He had a heart attack and lived for 5 days and then died in the hospital. I was 6 1/2 months pregnant at the time and he was so looking forward to his grandchild. He and I were very close and not a day goes by that I don't miss him.
|
|
**Deactivated**
Joined: 23 Mar 2006
Posts: 5296
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Oopersann
Posted:
Sat Jun 17, 2006 7:43 pm |
|
|
|
My Dad is 85, will be 86 in August. His biggest problem last week was--- he couldn't open an attachment on an e-mail sent to him by his 84yr old brother! My son was able to correct it for him, BUT, only on the condition that he teach my father how to do it. I think it has something to do with those stubborn English-Irish genes!
|
|
Joined: 23 Mar 2006
Posts: 133
Location: upstate New York
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Maybelline
Posted:
Sat Jun 17, 2006 7:54 pm |
|
|
|
Heli, like you, I didn't have a good relationship with my dad. He didn't drink or womanize, but he had many mental/emotional problems. I know now he was probably bi-polar, but I don't think he was ever diagnosed. Or if he was, I never knew it. We just called his dark periods "his moods."
I think he did his best with what he had to work with, but he was never very close to any of us four children. We usually had to walk on eggshells around him. He was not physically abusive, but could be very emotionally abusive at times.
My mother did her best to make up for his shortcomings as a parent, but divorce was never an option for her. They really loved each other, but her life was not easy.
So I'm really glad for all you posters who had great relationships with your dads. When I married, I made sure that he would be a great dad. And he was, even tho' we are divorced now and the kids are all grown. They turned out great.
|
|
Joined: 23 Mar 2006
Posts: 879
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| gagal_05
Posted:
Sat Jun 17, 2006 7:58 pm |
|
|
|
Thanks Dithers for starting this thread. I was just thinking about tomorrow and came here and saw this. Thanks to all who have shared. As Heli said, this is just one more reason that Refugees are a special group.
|
|
**Deactivated**
Joined: 23 Mar 2006
Posts: 5296
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| dithers
Posted:
Sat Jun 17, 2006 8:04 pm |
|
|
|
Oopersann Posted: Sat Jun 17, 2006 7:43 pm
| Quote: | | My Dad is 85, will be 86 in August. His biggest problem last week was--- he couldn't open an attachment on an e-mail sent to him by his 84yr old brother |
Oopersann, hey, great to see you here my friend. Your dad sounds like my husband's dad. He's 95 and all his kids are up visiting him this weekend. The big disaster today is that his Earthlink was accidentally cancelled!! And his biggest gripe otherwise is his older sister keeps bugging him to go out and eat every night!!!
|
|
Pretty in Blonde
Joined: 17 Apr 2006
Posts: 3468
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
