Thursday, August 26, 2010

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Today is my dad's birthday.  He would have been 83 years old.  I say 'would have', because he died when he was 51.  He died 32 years ago.  That's a really long time ago...a long time to be without a Dad.  To say that I miss him...well, that doesn't even begin to describe what I feel.  I miss him for what I have missed out on.  I miss him for what he has missed out on.  I miss him for how our lives changed...for what we didn't have.  Dad.  Grandpa. 

I had the first boys in the family.  My dad was so excited that he had grandsons!  Matt and Paul were 1 & 3 when their Grandpa died.  I think of what they missed by not having him in their lives as they grew up.  The relationship they would have had with him.  The balls they would have thrown and the football games they would have watched.  The fish they would have caught.  The building/fixing things they would have done together.  The influence.  The 'guy' jokes between them.  Ya know...guy things.

I was 26 when I no longer had a Dad.  It was really tough.  We used to argue a lot.  True.  He would argue with me.  From the time I was a toddler...instead of just laying down the law (or whatever), he would argue with me about whatever it was I wanted or didn't want to do.  That never changed.    

Dad took us fishing on Saturday mornings...back when we girls were young.  I loved it when it was just the two of us.  We'd get up before the crack of dawn and get on the road.  Sitting in the boat with my dad was heaven on earth.  I LOVED fishing with him.  Just cuz.  

This is one of my favorite photos of my Dad and I.  Because it was a big day in my life, (though that life is no longer mine).  Look at our smiles to each other...I'm so happy that the moment was caught on camera.
 There is so much more that I could say, but I cannot.  Just that I sure wish my Dad was still here with us.

13 comments:

Kim said...

Thanks for sharing those wonderful memories of your Dad. Great photo of the 2 of you. You can see the pride on his face.
Kim

Farm Girl said...

So sweet Jacque, That is a lovely picture of you. You can see how proud he is of you, That is such a lovely smile on your face.
Thanks for sharing, I can tell that it is still hard for you.
I think he must have been a great Dad to take you fishing on Saturdays.
That is something.
You were blessed.
Such a pretty wedding gown too.

moosecraft said...

Very nice tribute to your Dad on his Birthday! That picture of you and your Dad is a beauty!

Anonymous said...

Wow,wow,wow...cannot believe it has been that many years...I sure can relate as to how much I miss my Dad, and was fortunate to have him longer, but it is never long enough.
How fun to see your wedding picture again!
Love,
Janer

jane augenstein said...

Ahhh, Jacque! What a beautiful picture of you and your father!
My dad died when I was 10, I miss him very much. The best memory I have of him is the day he took me to buy my first horse! I was 9 years old and I remember walking through the field with the horses and picking out a blue eyed paint, Trigger. A long long time ago.
Nice post! :-)

WoolenSails said...

That is tough when you lose a parent at that age. Mine were in their early seventies and I still wish I could call them to say hi and talk with them. But someday we can all be together again:)

Debbie

Primitives By The Light of The Moon said...

Beautiful memories and I can see in your words the absolute love you have for your Dad. The picture is an absolute treasure...beautiful post!

kks said...

what a lovely tribute....and a great picture!
xoxo

Rugs and Pugs said...

Jacque ~
What a beautiful tribute to your Dad. The love between the two of you is so obvious. You are so lucky to have had that kind of Dad {sigh}.
Pug hugs :)
Lauren

kelley said...

Jacque girl, lovely post about your Dad...what beautiful memories you have of him...he sure did a great job with his daughter!

Joanne said...

Ahhh Jacque - what a great post about your Dad! Wow 51 is way too young to go - so sad for you and your boys. What a great pic of you and your Dad - the smiles are wonderful

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh Jacque!! You look like mom in that picture!!! I have always liked that photo of you on your wedding day!!! Happy day, happy times!!!!
I miss him too very much!!! :(
Love you, Joyce

Erin @ Why Not Sew? Quilts said...

This is such a sweet picture of your dad and you! I lost my dad when I was 25. I miss him terribly. He missed so many things too. But I hope that he was able to get a glimpse of it up there in heaven!