Monday, May 26, 2008

MY DAD

This is my Dad.
The best dad anyone could ever have. I am the oldest of 5 children and the only girl and he always introduced me as "his baby girl". I was born while he was in the South Pacific serving in WW II in June of 1943. He didn't see me until I was 18 months old. My mother tells me the night he came home he watched me sleep most of the night with a flashlight in his hand. As I got older I realized it was important so I always told him I loved him, either in person or during a phone call. I often called to say "thanks Dad for my hair" because I inherited his natural curl. His Navy service was a large part of his life. Some of his best friends were other men he met in the service. He attended reunions until they ended several years ago.

I hope I always let him know how much I loved and appreciated him but the one thing I never did was thank him for fighting for his country. Several times I tried but couldn't get past the emotion of it. I need to tell him now. Thank you Dad for fighting in WW II and especially for being a wonderful example of "The Greatest Generation". I Love You.

27 comments:

Jan said...

A wonderful tribute to your wonderful Dad. I'm glad you knew how much he loved you.

maggie moran said...

What a handsome young man, and your freedom was all the thanks he needed. :)

j said...

Oh Honey, I thank him for his Service too! And he knew. I really think he knew.

I have a guest blogger coming to my Prayerfully Yours site who is a Military wife and mother. She is bringing the devotion and prayer tomorrow. I would love for you to visit and encourage her!

I hope your day tomorrow is blessed.

Jennifer

Jeanne said...

Love the tribute to your father. I loved my dad too. Happy Memorial Day.

Jeanne

Scooterblu's Whimsy~Rhonda said...

Beautiful tribute...brought tears to my eyes! My dad was born while my grandad was serving also. Grandaddy was a cook stationed on a ship, and until he died, he did most of the cooking at home. He made the best sweet tea! :) I don't know how old my dad was, when he finally came home. Your dad was so handsome! I just bet he knew how much you love and are proud of him. I can tell from reading this, that I your actions spoke much louder than words! "smiles" I thank your dad for his service!

The book sounds great! I will have to check it out...I may try Ebay also! I will try to rummage through my scrapbooks, so I can get the exact names of places I visited in NY, and we can compare notes! I'm so hoping that I go back in June!!! ;)

~Rhonda

Cynthia said...

What a sweet tribute to your father!

Pamela said...

yes.. thanks dad.

Beverly said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Beverly said...

This is such beautiful tribute to your father. I just know he knew how much you adored him. There is something special between a girl and her daddy.

Thanks for sharing with us.

ellen b. said...

Yes! I say thank you to your dad too. Wonderful memorial...

Nikki via The Scarlett Rose Garden said...

Hi there Judy! Thank you for stopping by!
What a handsome father~ you really choked me up with the "standing over you with a flashlight" bit. It really was the greatest generation, wasn't it! I'm greatful for his service on this Memorial Day.
Lovely post, off to read more!
Nikki

Alison said...

beautiful post, thank you.

Rachel said...

I am sorry for your loss. that was a wonderful tribute to him!

Is this the same man that seved a mission in Nauvoo also? What a man! He served his country in so many ways!

Granny Sue said...

Thank you for sharing your Dad with us. What a man.

Annie said...

Judy, your last several posts have been so interesting and heartfelt. Thanks for all the new information. I want to check out the vacation home sharing.

Carol said...

That was a very special tribute to your very handsome Dad..I am always touched and get a lump in my throat when I read this sort of loving post on parents.
He was a very special man.
Carol x

Rue said...

What a beautiful tribute to your dad. I'll bet he already knew that you felt that way. Thank him for us too :)

rue

Cheryl said...

Hi Judy....A lovely post to your Dad. I adore my father to.
Thanks to your Dad from me to......all those men that gave so willingly. We would not be where we are today without them.

Your Dad was a very handsome young man.

Mike Golch said...

I thank your Dad as well for serving our country.I'm glad to hear that you knew how much he loved you.My Dad was not much to share his feelings,But he would let people know in his own way of his feeling for you.

j said...

I linked you on my post today!

Hope you are having a great week.

Jennifer

Betty said...

What a great tribute to your Dad. I know you are proud of him and him of you. Thank you for visiting me today.

Unknown said...

What a handsome dad and how blessed you are to have had such a loving father. This is a wonderful tribute, and I am sure he is watching over you still. Karen

Raven said...

What a lovely tribute to your father. Your post makes it so clear that there was such abundant and well expressed love. No way he didn't know - or that you didn't tell him in a thousand ways, even if not in words.

PJ said...

What a lovely tribute to your Dad. Thanks for dropping by. (And the Blogging OCD only gets worse...trust me!!!)

My Dad is a WWII vet also...He was army and served in Germany.

Anonymous said...

A handsome man. Beautiful tribute. Thanks for sharing a little about him with us.

Paz

Here, There, Elsewhere... and more said...

Hi, a beautiful tribute, your father has such a gentle look about him...
Thanks to him and others, the world is most definately a better place for us all..:)

Cats~Goats~Quotes said...

Beautiful tribute, very touching.
My Daddy was in France when I was born in July of 1943.
They were brave, wonderful men.

~ Bobbie