My dad loved Flag Day. I can still see him now....outside in his homemade cut off shorts and t-shirt with the arms cut out, hanging the American flag. He was always the first one on the block to display it for the holidays (Flag Day, July 4th, Memorial Day, etc.).
You know, most people who lose a loved one have the most trouble on the first "big" holiday without them, but for me....on this day that most people will not realize is even a holiday....this is the time I miss him the most. My dad loved being outside. He would spend hours working on the yard or in the garage....his work bench would always have two things on it no matter what the weather or temperature. A cup of coffee and his pipe. The radio would be tuned to the latest Cubs game or Bob Collins; and religiously at 12:00pm....Paul Harvey. Summer was certainly dad's season. He was known for his famous "bucket wash". He would see a dirty spot on the car and instead of washing the whole thing, would get out his trusty bucket and rag and give it a quick clean....in one spot. John used to love it when we would pull up in the driveway and there was dad, crouched down beside the car, pipe in mouth and rag in hand scrubbing away on a fender. Seems to me dad always had a sheepish grin on his face when we would catch him doing that!
When the girls were little and we would come over, dad never missed a beat between what he was doing outside and playing with them. They would immediately get on the bike that was kept there for them, and start riding in circles. As they would pull up to where dad was, he would pretend to fill up their "gas tank" at Papa's Garage, check their oil, whatever needed doing....and then off they would go until they ran out of gas again. My girls still reminisce about that.
So today when I put out my flag, I will take a moment and be thankful for the freedom it stands for. I will also be thankful for the privelage of having 35 years with the greatest father I could have ever asked for. I love you Dad!
17 comments:
wow sounds like your dad will always be alive in you memories and you girls...what a wonderful thing...I still have my dad but he really doesnt get invovled in my life...makes me sad....he is missing out...but I have a great step mom..so she makes up for it...
I'm sorry you can't hug your dad but I know he looks down on you and smiles....with pride and love
Donna In TEXAS
Im thank ful for you Dad serving and I am sure he is looking down smiling on you and your family. He is proud he served his country to make it safe for you and all of us. I pray you find peace and comfort today knowing the flag waving is your Dad waving back at you. {{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}}}
What a great story.. You're very lucky to have such a great dad whose memories will live with you and your family forever! Happy Flag Day and Father's Day to all the great dads out there:-)
What beautiful memories you have of your father...I too lost my father when I was 15 years old and till today the memory of him lives fresh in my mind and in my heart.
that was such a beautiful entry. Brought tears to my eyes and a lump in my throat. Im very happy for you that you have such happy memories of your Daddy. Arent they the best? Happy Flag Day!
THAT IS SO SWEET. THIS ONE IS A TEAR JERKER.. I LOST MY DAD 5 YEARS AGO AND HE TO LOVED FLAGS AND EAGLES. HE WAS VERY PATRIOTIC ALTHOUGH HE WAS NEVER ABLE TO SERVE IN THE MILITARY DUE TO HIS HEALTH PROBLEMS HE HAD ALL HIS LIFE, I THINK HE WOULD HAVE IF HE BEEN ABLE TO.
I ONLY GOT 27 YEARS WITH MINE AND ALL THOUGH ME AND HIM ARRGUED ALL THE TIME ( MOM SAID BECAUSE WE WERE JUST ALIKE - HARDHEADED) I MISS HIM JUST THE SAME.
TAKE CARE :-)
http://journals.aol.com/nerves05/Mycrazylittleworld/
Beautiful entry and tribute to your father.
Hugs,
Gretchen
What a beautiful entry fro your father. I am sure he watched you put out the flag today with pride. (((hugs)))
lovely entry Sherry, your love for your father truly shines through ........Jules xxx
http://journals.aol.co.uk/jules19642001/Itsmylife/
ON behalf of Dad, thank you Sherry, Love you.
Flag Day is a big thing in our house too. Its too bad so many people have forgotten about it. One year we made birthday flags for everyone in the house, and we display them on our flag pole the morning of their birthday and untill they go to bed. We have made homemade flags for other holidays too. I love the flag.
I always cry when I hear the Star Bangled Banner. Because as it is playing, I listen to the words and I remember all the people that have died, so that we can raise that flag and display it. Its a Honor to call that our flag.
Awww man, Sherry, this made ME cry and he wasn't even my father!!!! This was a beautiful tribute to an amazing Father and Grandfather! Sniff, sniff, pass the tissues will ya' (preferably the Puffs Plus with lotion)?
Hugs and love, Lisa
Awww, beautiful memories Sherri!
Lisa
Aww Sherry,I miss your dad for you hun.And your right,we generally dont think of this kind of holiday when we miss our loved ones.What a great tribute to your father.Hugs and love to you.KIM
This was such a sweet entry that when I read it yesterday afternoon, Alana and I ran out and put our little 4x6 flags along the walk-way, which made me forget to comment. LOL
I loved reading your and the girls memories of your father, he sounds like he was a wonderful dad. ~Melissa
It's no accident I stumbled on this journal; My 73 yr. old Dad died June 4, not even 2 wks. ago. The funeral was 4 days ago, so the frantic activity has just settled down; my husband went away on a business trip today till Tu. The waving flag in your entry stopped me in my tracks - there was a flag draped on my Dad's coffin and the Guard played "Taps" at the grave site and I didn't think I'd survive the moment. My parents have been together since they were 16 and 18 yrs. old. My sister + I created a "Daddy Museum" at her house for the reception, packed with memorabilia + enlarged photos from his days as a Nat'l champion figure skater w/my Mom, a ballroom dancer, a Boston + NYC Marathon runner, triathelete, executive, Daddy, + "Papa" to 8 grandchildren. Figure skaters he taught when they were CHILDREN came, now in their late 50's! Dad had a long, painful, rare dementia for 9 yrs., and at the end lasted 20 days w/no food or water because his swallowing reflex had vanished as the last part of the disease, and his Living Will said no feeding tube. After 9 yrs., he died only hours after Mom told him, "It's okay to go,hon." I really miss my Daddy.
It's so lovely that you feel like that about your dad & have such lovely memories. I don't know what flag day is..obviously we don't have it here in Britain. I do like your patriotism...we don't seem to do patriotism here in Britain these days!
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