Little "Big" Man

-Thoughts and Memories of my Father.

When I was young, I think a always thought my father would be here forever. He passed away on the 9^th of December 2007. I have many great memories and thoughts about his time on this earth, and I would like to share some of them now. This is therapy for me as I go through the grieving process. I’ve talked to many people who have lost there fathers, and there seems to be one thing in common. There is a non replaceable whole left in their lives with the passing of their father.

My father was very active in the community, church, and family. At the showings, many people whom I have never known, share kind words of how this man, influenced their lives in such special ways, that I will never know. He was a rock, a steady man, with devotion to his family, friends, and community. He was a father, grandfather, and husband. A pure model in everything he touched and communicated to his fellow man.

I have always looked up to him for strength, information, and advice. It seems he was this to many other people also. I remember the cool times on the golf course, and the times around the dinner table with him and mom.

I remember the times where I thought he was the most stupid, and backwoods person I ever knew. This changed as I grew older, and he got smarter and smarter. With humble knowledge, I feel I’m half the man he is, and I now know, I will never have the impact he had in this life. I can try, but it’s a tough act to follow.

Things I remember:

Tick tacks- Always a pack in his pocket

Pens-Always in his shirt pocket

Tractors- Loved to play farmer.

Golf- Truly the best times with him alone and with friends.

Laughter- He really got a kick out of the Grand Kids, and laughed with his mouth open and his tongue sticking out!

Pride in his Grand Children- God only knows how much he loved his Girls, and Andrew.

Love of my Mother

Uncle Dave mentioned that medical science gave my father his extended life. I could have been cut short by heart trouble in his early 50’s. He had bypass surgery 2 times, once at 52, and the second time at about 65. I now look at this time as a celebration and marvel of medical science, and I’m so thankful we had him for an additional 25 years. He was taken quick, and many say that was the best way to go. I have mixed feelings about this with a very selfish motive to say, “I was I would have had one more conversation with him.” Just one more time to say “I love you” and “farewell”, would be a great thing right now.

This is my tribute to my Father, “Good Bye Dad”, “I Love you.” You truly were a Man larger than life, and I will truly miss my best friend. So even if you were small in stature, you truly were a “Big Man”.