Forever Close in Spirit - Part III

Valentine's Day 2009

If you've read parts one and two of this post, you know that my dad passed away 13 years ago today. How ironic that he would leave this world on this particular day. Dad never cared for flowers, but he had an affinity for the color red. I think the fact that God welcomed him home on the holiday where red abounds holds a great deal of significance.

Dad had a passion for life. He seized the good times with almost a child-like exuberance.

He loved the mountains and the ocean. He always harbored an appreciation for nature.

He preferred the cold to the heat. He loved to watch a good storm, whether it be a blizzard, a snowstorm, or a hurricane.

He enjoyed music, but only certain kinds of music. His favorite were the tunes from the big bands era, which he reproduced on the piano to the delight of dozens of friends and family members.

He preferred to travel the back roads on a trip and would do almost anything to avoid the main highways and traffic. He loved to fly and he loved to drive. The "going" part of a trip was far more important to him than the getting there.

Dad was opinionated about politics and money and things over which he really had no control.

He detested talking on the phone.

We always got a hug and a kiss from dad before going to sleep at night.

He taught me to always pay my bills before buying something I want and don't really need.

He taught me to practice a sound work ethic of giving your best and don't call in sick unless you really are.

He taught me to face adversity with all the strength you have and never give up.

Some of my favorite memories of dad:

cooking chicken on the outside grill until it was perfect.

walking down to the corner to meet dad after work.

eating the ice cream cones he made for us when he worked behind the counter at Uncle Howard's store.

the way he said "beeee-autti-ffuull!" when he looked at something he admired (mainly scenery and new cars!)

washing the car

cradling our daughter and son in his arm when they were babies

working a crossword puzzle

dad in his post office letter carrier's uniform

dad proclaiming vehemently that gas prices would never, ever, rise above a dollar a gallon

packing the car before we left on a trip

So many random thoughts come together on this day that symbolizes love. I don't view this day with sadness anymore. Love does not end with a person's death. Love is eternal. It transcends time and space and the borders that define our lives here on earth.

Long after the body is laid to rest, we who are left maintain a connection with our loved ones. God gave us memory, and through our memories, our loved ones stay alive in our hearts. The more time that separates us from a loss, the weaker the hold our grief has on us and the stronger the embrace of precious memories.

Dad, I love you and I miss you. Thanks for all the ways you impacted my life.

Happy Valentine's Day!


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