Dear Daddy,Wow! I can't believe you'd be 86 today. I was thinking about you the other day when I was shaving - I realized that you were the age I am today when I was all of six years old. I tried to picture myself having a six year old right now, and it was not computing.
There are so many things that I want to write and tell you about. How I wish you could spend time with your grandchildren. I think they'd crack you up with their antics! Sometimes I just imagine about what it would be like for you and mom to pull up and spend the Christmas holidays with us. You'd love Lucy - of course I had to get a beagle. Beagles were your favorites, so they've always been mine too. And as for Cindi's cooking - hey, I know you guys thought Bonnie was an unbelievable cook, and she is, but I think Cindi gives her a run for the money. I picture you guys bustling into the house and sitting down (slightly uncomfortable, I know, at first, but then settling in). I picture you guys smiling as we join around the clavinova and sing carols and hymns. I remember how much you loved to hear Cindi sing. Of all the gifts you guys gave me over the years, there is none that I appreciate so much as the weekend I talked you into the piano and you went out and bought it for me. Remember how shocked mom was! But what a gift. It has been something that has brought me blessing for so many years. I always remember it was your kindness in giving into a teenager's whim that started me off on that path.
Speaking of Christmas, I know you would not approve of the tree. First, it's not a cedar. Second, it's not real. Third, there's not an icicle on it. I remember the care with which you always lifted off each icicle and hung it, branch by branch, and how stunning the tree looked when you were done. I never have had the patience, I confess. But we still have lots of the ornaments we used in our house on Munson Street. I think we even have some of those cheapo ones that mom picked up at Grand Union one year - they were green. Who do you think THAT was for, eh? And you'll never guess who usually sits under our tree! Giddyup. Yes, that old red horse is still around. It comes out for a visit every year. I think you gave it to me on that Christmas that I was three and you were 43.
Well, I just wanted to write you on your birthday and let you know how much you are in my thoughts. You've been gone for so long, but I think I miss you more with each passing year. May God grant rest to your soul, daddy!
I love you.
Willy
8 comments:
uh, wait a min. I know how old you are and the age thing doesn't compute.
Nice remembrance. Pretty funny about the green ornaments for a Christmas tree.
And your dad is RIGHT - a fake tree - shivers!
Deb
I fixed the age thing. I realized it when I read it over. Refresh and see if 46 turns to 43!
As for the tree, we asked the kids this year to decide what to do, and believe it or not, they opted for the fake one. They wanted it up longer.
shouldn't that be 43 to 46!?? I am confused now. Of course, if you're 43 than that makes me.... okay - we can keep the charade up, I'm cool with it. :)
Uh, okay on the tree. don't you think they had trees up for a long time before the fake ones were around? I know, I know you say fire hazard, but thats why you go and cut your own.
Deb
Oh, I see. I was looking at the initial error at the end, I didn't see the one in the beginning. I actually had the figures wrong, because I was using mom's age, not dad's. MOM would have had a three year old at my age; dad had a six year old at my age. I think I got it fixed now!!!
Say, do you want me to help tutor the kids in math? ;)
We had our tree up generally from about December 15 until January 1. Daddy's birthday to New Year's. We almost invariably went to one of the farms in Virginia to cut the tree, so it was always fresh. But let me tell you, by January 1st it was a mess and a half, and we kept them well-watered.
ah, now I got it.
As to the tree. Thats about how long we keep ours up and its never been a "mess and a half". It is a pain to get outside to the curb and yes there are needles - but that is what the vacuum is for. But its gone and not taking up storage ;)
But, no matter, I actually don't like Christmas trees all that much. Yeah, they're pretty for a about a week (especially at night), but after that they are just in the way. Thats why I've always taken mine down on the 1st - I just can't stand it anymore. This year I'm going to try and keep it up until Theophany.
Deb
Deb,
I suspect the mess is the difference between a pine tree and a cedar.
We usually do leave it up till Epiphany, but it comes down right away after that. There is always a feeling of delight in cleaning up the house and putting back to normal without the tchatchkas all over the place!
I'm missing my dad already.
I suspect the mess is the difference between a pine tree and a cedar.
Yes, good point.
Deb
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