Dads
The last couple of weeks have been difficult for both my mom and mother in law, and for the same reason. Their dad’s are dying. Both have been put into hospice care with a very small likelyhood of living much longer. Of course this has got me thinking about my own dad and how difficult it will be when the day comes that I must say goodbye to him as well. Rather than focus though on losing him, as I hope that won’t be for many years, I would rather think about all the reasons I appreciate my dad.
When I was a kid my dad was an auto machanic. He would come home after working out in the cold or heat, exhausted and stained in grease with cuts on his hands, but he would still play with us kids. He worked extra hours under the table so that we could afford a family vacation every year to the lake. He always stopped if someone was broken down on the side of the road, and offered help to those he knew or didn’t know when it was in his ability to do so. After suffering an injury that made working on cars difficult, he returned to school and got two degree’s allowing him to work at the local college. Since he dropped out of school in 7th grade, this was no easy task. He raised us kids with values, and was adament that we always use the manners we were taught. He has been faithful to my mom for 35 years, and has never uttered an ill word about his parents, though I am sure there were many to be said. I could go on and on about how great my dad is, but more than anything I repect my dad because I know that even as difficult as his kids can be, he is always there to bail us out when we need him.
Because my dad is a private man, even I don’t know his thoughts on most things. I would like to hope that before the day comes when my dad is gone, I will be able to say I learned as much as I could about him. I better start soon though, because there are alot of blanks to be filled in.
Jessica The Rock Chick responds:
Posted: August 17th, 2007 at 12:24 pm →
You’re dad sounds a lot like my dad. My dad died when I was 12 and at that age, of course, I really didn’t know him.
So sorry to hear about your grandfather and your grandfather-in-law. Must be a difficult time for all of you!!!
Jessica The Rock Chick
derek responds:
Posted: August 17th, 2007 at 1:07 pm →
Your dad sounds like a terrific man and I hope that you are able to learn as much about his personal thoughts while you can. I lost my grandfather earlier this year and never really got to talk to him about his life and experiences as a young man in Germany, among them being required to join the Nazi army or when he was captured by Russians in WWII.
Your family will be in my thoughts during this trying time.
Sarah responds:
Posted: August 17th, 2007 at 4:00 pm →
Jessica & Derek: I have never been very close to my mom’s dad and barely know my husbands grand father, but I was prompted to write this post when I spoke to my dad earlier today and heard him cry for the 2nd time in my life as he recalled his father’s suffering in a similar manner. It saddens me to think of anyone losing a parent, but it seems all the more disheartening that my mom and mother in law are experiencing this in the same week. Thank You both for your kind comments.
pia responds:
Posted: August 17th, 2007 at 5:02 pm →
Sorry for your mom and mother-in-law.
I was very close to to my Dad. The knowledge that I knew his stories helped.
I am passing them down to my niece so that she will know her maternal grandfather who she was named for.
My mom’s death was harder because it was so sudden, but I have learned to smile and laugh when I talk about her–or to scream into my blog
robin responds:
Posted: August 17th, 2007 at 7:20 pm →
My dad worked his butt off, as well, to give us a wonderful life. My sister & I never wanted for anything. Ever. However, that meant that he wasn’t around much (he was & still is a doctor, but when we were growing up, he had his own practice, so that took much of his time). But, now that I’m grown up & my dad doesn’t work as much, we have a really great relationship. He’s an awesome granddaddy to my sister’s 2 kids & that’s all that really matters now. He, too, is a very private person…he’s also very generous & very protective!!
Thanks for stopping by my blog & leaving me a comment! I love meeting new people! :0)
Joe Cheray responds:
Posted: August 18th, 2007 at 7:56 pm →
Hi Sarah my friend Derek mentioned you in his blog and I wanted to come over and wish you a warm welcome into the blogosphere.
I lost my dad when I was 3 and he like your father was a mechanic and owned his own filling station. I think that is where I got the entrepreneurial spirit from as I always wanted to find ways to work for myself instead of someone else.
Feel free to hope over to my blog anytime and see what’s new.
Have a great day!
Rose responds:
Posted: August 21st, 2007 at 8:19 pm →
I will keep both your father and father-in-law in my prayers.
Sarah responds:
Posted: August 25th, 2007 at 7:26 pm →
Thanks to everyone for your kinds thoughts and words. My husband’s grandfather is still hanging in. Mine passed away on Thursday evening. He was in a lot of pain, so I am glad he is now at peace.