Happy Father’s Day

My dad was a very quiet guy. But he also provided for his family and I always appreciated what he did for us. He passed away on Father’s Day nine years ago. So I would never have an excuse to forget him - not that I ever would. He really liked taking photos with his very complex camera that I am sorry I didn’t keep. This is a rare photo that my mom took of me and my brother and my dad way back when in New England. It’s one of my favorites. We were playing with something related to that camera. Happy Father’s Day! 

Happy Birthday Dad

We share the same birthdate but a different month. It was way back in 1919 when my dad was born. He always liked the fall months and he and my mom would visit us in the Midwest for the color. My dad was a very quiet man but he provided for his family and made sure we all went to college. That’s the one thing I remember well. Any money we got or collected went in to the bank account for college. I don’t remember having to go without and we went on family vacations. And I learned the lesson that you don’t buy something if you can’t pay if for. He came from a very poor background, lived through the depression, was in WWII sand Korea. He loved the water and in his retirement years went on a lot of cruises. You could say he was your average Joe. And for that I am forever thankful. Happy Birthday Dad! 

Happy Father’s Day

Father’s Day is a day to celebrate and remember dads. It’s hard to forget this day because it was the day my dad passed away seven years ago. Now more than ever I will always remember the attention he paid on saving money and spending it wisely - including sacrificing a lot of things so the three of us kids could go to college. He was a quiet soul and always spoke highly of the twenty one years he served in the Coast Guard and was a veteran of WWII and the Korean War. Now he lies in Bushnell National Cemetery with my mom, who served in the Navy. The older I get the more I appreciate everything he did for us. Happy Father’s Day Dad. 

Happy Birthday Dad

Happy Birthday Dad! We lost you in 2015 - can’t believe it’s been six years already. At least now Mom is with you. We miss you both.  

Happy Birthday Dad

It would have been my dad’s 101st birthday today! He was born in 1919 and lived to be 95 years old. He came from a very poor background, joined the Coast Guard at an early age, was a WWII and Korean War veteran, raised three kids and put them all through college, and loved to take cruises after he and mom retired. He convinced my mom to move to Florida way back in 1959 to “escape the icicles on your face.” He was a quiet kind of guy, and a gentle soul. I miss him. 

A Very Special Christmas Wreath

This will be the first Christmas without my dad. But that doesn't mean we won't still remember or think about him. He always had the Christmas spirit in his own quiet way. He and I would get the Christmas tree around my birthday, leave it outside for a few days, and then bring it in to decorate. He always strung up the lights. That was a long time ago, and for the last many years I always sent a small decorated live tree with lights to my parents. My mom still got one this year. So today, we went to American Plant in search of the perfect wreath to place on his grave at the military cemetery. Not wanting to be too outlandish, we selected a smaller sized wreath with some added elements - pinecones and berries - and selected just the right simple red ribbon. A bow maker created a six leaf bow and tied it to the top. We sprayed the wreath with a greenery preservative and got a little stand to place it on. Let's hope it survives the trip and looks as nice as it does today. Santa Claus was also at the shop wearing a beautiful red suit. He asked me what I wanted for Christmas. All I could say was health and happiness, which is quite a lot when you think about it. Thinking of you Dad!