Above all things, he loved his family most and close behind were golfing and gardening. He spent at least 3 mornings a week at the golf course and all his other spare time tending to his impressive garden.
He also walked 4 miles a day.
He had 2 triple bypass heart surgeries - 18 years apart.
Pulmonary Fibrosis is what finally did him in.
He never lived to meet Sissy, but he and Buddy had a particularly close relationship. Buddy was the first grandchild on my side and my dad just thought he could do no wrong. Buddy loved spending time with his "grampoo", too.
Buddy was 6 and a half when Dad died. I don't think he ever really could wrap his mind around it then, and I know he still struggles with Grandpa's death to this very day.
When Buddy was born prematurely and spent 6.5 weeks in the NICU, the nurses said they could set their watches on Dad's arrival (visiting hours didn't start until noon, after the doctors had done their rounds) and my dad was there at precisely noon for 48 days.
Dad, you have a beautiful granddaughter now, too. She would light up your life just like Buddy did.
In his honor today, I worked in my little patch of dirt and plants. And thought of him tending to his own tomatoes, cabbage, onions, etc. There wasn't anything he couldn't grow.
Happy Birthday, Dad. We love you.
Nice tribute to your father...I wish my dad had lived to see my kids grow - and then enjoy the "great" grandkids!
ReplyDeleteThat's a beautiful tribute, ETW. I'm sorry he's not here today to celebrate his birthday with you andyour family.
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely tribute to your father. I am sure it is a tough day for you. My thoughts are with you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful memory you shared. You monster tomato plant would impress him.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure he's proud of you and his grandchildren. I'm sure he's watching over you all from above.. and now that you mention it he's probably watching over that monster tomato plant for you too :)
ReplyDeleteA very special Happy Birthday to your dad, ETW.
ReplyDeleteI hope that today has been full of wonderful memories for your entire family.
Aww, big squeeze for ya.
ReplyDeleteI bet he'd be very proud of you evil one.
ReplyDeleteYou made me cry! Sounds like a very special man. Hope you spent the day enjoying more fond memories.
ReplyDeleteGreat post... it's so nice to get to know your dad through you.
ReplyDeleteThat was really nice. I think you did him a nice tribute by spending time doing what he loved. I'm sure he's looking down at Sissy everyday and she lights up his world!
ReplyDeleteMy Great-Grandma died when I was about 8 and I remember thinking I won't cry because I might never stop. I can imagine how hard that must have been on Buddy at a young age.
Such a nice tribute to your father. If I spent his birthday doing what he loved, I'd be re-plumbing the house or painting, or re-wiring a lamp, etc. LOL
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your memories of your father.
ReplyDeleteThat was so nice to read, what a man.. and a really terrific tribute to him, he did love family as it is clear that he would be there on time everyday when Buddy was born.
ReplyDeleteI still miss my own dad, so I know.. I wonder if they had any idea how they impacted our lives?
Great way to honor a special man
ReplyDeleteThat was beautiful. Thanks for sharing that and I wish you well on what will always be a rough part of the year for you to remember.
ReplyDeleteBig hugs!
Beautiful Tribute, ETW - I know he is just so proud of you & watching from above! xoxox
ReplyDeleteThat was a beautiful tribute to your Dad, thank you for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteI wish that my kids had known my Dad. Even though he's been gone since 1972 I still miss him very much.
What a nice tribute. I like grampoo - Like shampoo!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post.
ReplyDeleteThat was so beautiful it brought tears to my eyes.
ReplyDeleteYour post was wonderful, as everyone else has commented. My dad turned 90 on July 17th and is suffering with metastatic prostate cancer. Your memories are some that I am relating to, also.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely story about your Father. I'm sorry he died much too early.
ReplyDelete