Monday, October 31, 2011

five years...

It's been five years since I lost my dad.  He passed away on Halloween in 2006 after a long battle with cancer.  I don't want to write about how he suffered or how horrible cancer is (but God it is horrible).  I want to share a little about what made my dad so awesome.

  • He loved babies.
  • He loved his family with ferocity.  Don't mess with this man's kids or wife, brothers, sisters or parents.
  • He was a total blue collar man and was about as down to earth as you could get.
  • He served in the Army as a paratrooper and had the knee problems to prove it.
  • He loved candy.  Like, his nightstand was packed with it.  Black licorice being a favorite.
  • He loved the Sabres and the Bills, and please don't talk during the game (thankyouverymuch).
  • He had the most linear, boxy handwriting I've ever seen, especially for a lefty.
  • I think I get my organizational skills from my dad.  He had nearly every piece of everything he owned neatly stored in its place, labeled (naturally).  I could hang out in the garage for days going through his bits and pieces, all perfectly sensical in their order and placement.
  • I have vivid memories of my dad watching the Sabres games while I sat on the floor playing with my dolls.  The sound of the organ (dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun...dundundundundundun SCORE!) and being close to my dad made me so happy.
  • He had the most amazing relationship with Madeline.  Maddy was born on his birthday, and I think this bound them together.  Oh how he loved her.  And I loved to see that relationship develop.  I wish Jack and Emma were born earlier, because he would have adored them (he had a blast with Jack for the short time he was here with him)!
  • He was an IM maniac.  I always had some kind of IM from my dad, no matter when I checked my computer.  I loved that.  It took me awhile not to look for a message from him after he was gone.
  • He always put his shoes on, even when he was hanging out in the house.  I do that too.
I love you dad.  I just love you so much.  xo

2 comments:

Shannon said...

such sweet memories.

love you.

The Embroidery Chick said...

Hugs to you all today~