And That’s My Daddy!

You’ve heard about my dad before – in Reflections, Chapter 7, and in a few other blogs that I have written for Father’s Day.  He was a man of his word, a man of few words, loved sports, and died too young in my opinion (67).  Today, as I was looking for pictures to post on Facebook in honor of him and Father’s Day, I scanned this one in and saw so many things that made me reflect and smile 🙂 .

So let me tell you a little story.

My mother, like most mothers, took many pictures and also kept pictures of the extended family from years past.  I loved looking through the picture boxes as a little girl.  To help remember years, places, and even people in the pictures (remember, we have a very large clan), she was careful to write names and dates or ages on the backs of each one.  Once I learned to write, I followed her example.  So on the back of this picture, in my own printing, inscribed is “Daddy 38, Debra 5.” That makes me smile. 🙂

I’m not sure if I hadn’t changed my clothes from church or if it was just any ordinary day for a princess. 🙂

Daddy was reading the paper and chugging coffee, and Mother said, “Sit up there next to him.” He had one leg tucked underneath.  (I sat that way for many years at the office until my knees got old, and I still chug coffee.)  Oh wait, princesses don’t chug.  They sip.  🙂

Look at the princess’s pearls!  But what’s up with that short pixie cut?  Well, the story on that is, according to Mother, my hair became dry, dull, and brittle from having two surgeries close together (anesthesia or something).  So she cut my hair in hopes that it would grow back luscious and healthy.  The princess had to do a little extra to make up for that short hair … hence the pearls and dress. 🙂

And, yes, let’s not forget that dress.  Look at the ruffles scrunched up behind my back.  I remember that dress just like I received it yesterday.  It was a special gift from my very special Aunt Maxine, Daddy’s sister.  She brought it to me because I had been so sick with those two hospital stays.  It was in a HUGE box, gift wrapped with a HUGE bow.  I carefully opened it and felt the rows of crunchy ruffles.  The base color of the dress was somewhat shiny, oyster-like white, almost iridescent, accented with red felt polka dots and a red ribbon trim.  To this day, it remains the best present I have ever received. When I outgrew it, I reluctantly hand-me-downed it to my sister, Kathy. 🙂

I see the throw cover on the couch and the inexpensive curtains and remember how hard my dad worked, how well he and Mother saved for his dream – to start his own business some day. And I remember life was good. 🙂

Someone once said, “He was the best man I ever knew.” 🙂

Thank you, Daddy, for letting us interrupt your Sunday afternoon 53 years ago.  It still brings a smile to my face today. 🙂