Sat 27 Oct 2007
I am always amazed at how this day knocks me on my ass every year. I try to fill the day with things that bring joy… seeing the 3 D “Nightmare Before Christmas” with the cowboy, the Great Halloween lantern Parade… construction in my studio.. and still my thoughts just wander to my dad and how much I miss him.Every day. I miss him everyday.
Before he died we talked once a day. Just about anything and nothing. Just to stay in touch because, at one point, we were not in touch (about 8 years worth of not in touch). But… after that time… it was like we were never out of touch.
There is this void where the “Happy Birthday” goes. And, quite honestly… it screws me up EVERY year.
So… because it is what India Opal and I do… here is a(nother) 10 things post about my dad:
- He taught his artist daughter to LOVE baseball.
- He taught his artist daughter to LOVE football.
- He had a laugh that ignited firestorm of fun in any situation.
- He made friends wherever he went.
- He knew how to love you through just about anything.
- He called me “punkin’” and “mops” for my formative years.
- He knew how to forgive… and knew how to ask for forgiveness.
- He was just about as regular of a guy as you could get… in the best possible way.
- He commanded attention with his smile.
- I am his daughter… I am like him in so many good ways..
So… here’s to my dad. I wish this morning the cowboy could have woke him up with a birthday song… that my mom and brothers and sister could have shown him how much we appreciate him.
This was our song at my wedding… and I will forever thank him for being the best dad he knew how…
La la la la…
You’ve been so kind and generous
I don’t know how you keep on giving
For your kindness I’m in debt to you
For your selflessness my admiration
For everything you’ve done you know I’m bound
I’m bound to thank you for it
La la la la…
You’ve been so kind and generous
I don’t know how you keep on giving
For your kindness I’m in debt to you
And I never could have come this far without you
For everything you’ve done, you know I’m bound
I’m bound to thank you for it
La-la-la-la…
Oh, I want to thank you for so many gifts you gave
The love, the tenderness, I wanna thank you
I want to thank you for your generosity, the love
And the honesty that you gave me
I want to thank you show my gratitude
My love, and my respect for you, I want to thank you
Oh, I want to thank you, thank you; thank you, thank you
I want to thank you, thank you; thank you, thank you
October 28th, 2007 at 12:09 am
E - you are more like him than you know
I’m proud to call you my friend.
Love that song! Thanks for passing it on to me. Now I can sing myself to sleep.
October 28th, 2007 at 12:14 am
sending mondo hug energy your way. my mom passed away 7 years ago and not a day goes by… what an awesome tribute you have here for your Dad.
btw, the ‘Nightmare Before Christmas’ was part of our daily lives for years when el Beano was a little dude.
October 28th, 2007 at 7:32 am
He knows how much you love him.
Thank YOU for sharing.
October 28th, 2007 at 8:21 am
Hugs from a fellow Fatherless Daughter, E. I love all these memories.
October 28th, 2007 at 9:10 am
Tons o’ hugs to you! That’s quite a popular song…my husband picked that one out to dance with his step mom at our wedding…it’s a great song! Good choice!
October 28th, 2007 at 10:43 am
I just lost my dad and reading your post brought tears to my eyes. I never considered what his birthdays would be like; I’m just trying to figure out how to make it through Christmas.
The song is beautiful. Thank yo for sharing.
October 28th, 2007 at 10:53 am
XO
October 28th, 2007 at 5:31 pm
I lost my dad this past January. It’s been a bumpy ride for me this year, emotionally-speaking. My mom’ still alive but in a nursing home with advancd Alzeheimers, so I feel like an orphan. Fathers Day & my dad’s birthday were particarly difficult, & their anniversary too (since my mom has no clue that she’s a widow). And with Thanksgiving & the holidays approaching, I’ve been feeling his absence more deeply again. I’m guessing that I’ll have to accept the fact that it just might never get any easier. Thanks for sharing & giving me the opportunity to share as well.
October 28th, 2007 at 9:50 pm
I’m in the same boat. Here’s a hug, Laura
October 29th, 2007 at 12:37 am
Happy Birthday to Dad. He’s there with you rockin’ the dye-pot and enjoying the Cowboy.
October 29th, 2007 at 1:28 pm
I just lost my dad a month ago and yesterday was my birthday. I cried all the way to class at Springwater. Not sure what I’ll do on his birthday in December. As a newly fatherless daughter it’s nice to be in good company.