Where do I begin?
I guess with one of my earliest memories, Momma & Daddy rolling back
the rug in the little house in Houston with three little ones at their feet and
dancing the night away to the LP on the record player. Us kids would take turns dancing with
them and each other. Just horsing
around really. The serious dance
lessons happened later. He would
pick me up in his strong arms and spin around, giggling the whole time. I guess you could say dancing runs
through our veins.
Christmas was a special time, too, waking up before dawn and
running into the living room with presents beautifully wrapped or a bicycle,
wagon or new doll eagerly waiting. He proudly watched the cries of surprise and
delight on our faces. He was a
loving, kind, happy man during those days. Birthdays were always rewarding, too. Our own special day, I still love
birthdays because of it.
I’ll never forget some of his famous quotes like
“Cleanliness is next to Godliness.”
Or “Never pass up the opportunity to keep your mouth shut.” I still struggle with that one! And my all time favorite – “Pull my
finger.” You never knew if he
wanted you to crack his knuckle or, well, you know!
He was the biggest teaser I’ve ever known. I attribute my sense of humor to
him. He made us laugh! But at the same time he was a strict
disciplinarian. I still have a
healthy respect for authority, something I believe he was happy we learned. He
also taught me the value of a hard day’s work. He worked long, hard days for
his wife and children and my work ethic is alive and well today because of him.
I believe children learn more from their parents by watching
rather than listening to them. The
most valuable lesson my parents taught me is how to love each other. Sixty-two years of love. Hard to believe, isn’t it? The way they touched, held hands, the
unspoken words conveyed by a knowing look, the aura of true love emanated from
both of them. It took me awhile to
find him, but their actions taught me how to find my special guy. That kind of love is rare and
sacred. I thank my Daddy every day
for teaching me that most valuable lesson.
I clearly remember the look on his face on their 50th
wedding anniversary while we were eating at a restaurant. He looked down that long row of
children and their spouses, and his grandchildren and he said, “I did all this!” He was the proud patriarch of his
family, no doubt about it!
The lessons he taught me are priceless. There isn’t a day that goes by I don’t
thank the good Lord above for allowing me to be his child.
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| “I did all this!” (and this isn't all of us!) |
