 | Daddy | for Julie's contacts |
My
thoughts have turned to my Daddy, because today is his birthday. I
wasn't very close to him because he wasn't around much when I
was young, and he rarely spoke about his past, but I do have a few
special memories of him.
He was an artist, but made his living as a sign painter. He liked black licorice 
and the color red. He liked to travel, and because of that, I was able
to travel through most of the western U.S. states, and see Disneyland
twice. I'™m not sure who enjoyed it more, him or me.
and the color red. He liked to travel, and because of that, I was able
to travel through most of the western U.S. states, and see Disneyland
twice. I'™m not sure who enjoyed it more, him or me.
He wanted everything for me. I think he thought I was some sort of
princess. He couldn'™t afford much, but he was always checking my
wardrobe (my mom made most of my clothes) to see if they were good
enough and appropriate enough for me to wear. He was very critical of
the current styles and fads. When I came into my teen years he wanted to
see that I was attractive, but at the same time his greatest fear was
that some boy would become interested!
He wanted me to become a great pianist someday, so he provided me with
piano lessons and later voice lessons. His dream was that someday I
would be one of those girls floating around the stage on the Lawrence
Welk Show! He was all for any opportunity that came along for me to
further advance my musical abilities. Because of that, I was able to
attend music camp in Fort Collins on three different occasions, and
travel for three summers with my church choir on tour, and my high
school choir one spring break. I also toured with my college choir for
two years as well. He would never step foot in a church unless I was
either singing or playing the piano for something special, then he had a
front row seat. He was always there to support me, and sometimes push
me a little more than I desired at the time.
One time when I was around 12, Mom had to have surgery. Daddy was there
to take care of us while she was in the hospital, but Mom made sure to
tell me that I was to take care of him. I did all the cooking and
cleaning, and he was so kind and encouraging in my fledgling efforts.
Because he did not live with us full time, when Mom came home from the
hospital, he left again. That was the only time I felt I had truly
bonded with him and it broke my heart to see him walk down the sidewalk
and get into his car.
All the time I was growing up he always told me when the time came for a
young man to ask for my hand in marriage, he would grill him with a
thousand questions to make sure he was worthy. When the time actually
came and M asked him if he could marry me, Daddy said, sure, take
her!! Since I had built up all this fear of him possibly saying no, it upset me slightly to think that he was so ready to
get rid of me, that is, until I saw his face as he walked me down the
aisle and actually broke down in tears in the receiving line.
Though I never thought I was much like him, I see in little ways some
traits he instilled in me. I am truly thankful to him for his care and
encouragement, and all the opportunities he gave me that have shaped me
into the adult that I am.
Daddy passed away May 12, 1993. 
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