Today, up at the lake, I was thinking about Father’s Day, and even though my dad died so many many years ago, knowing he was my dad for those 10 short years brings comfort and memories of a man who truly loved his wife and his kids. My dad loved mom and his family, and he would demonstrate that in so many ways. We had a big family , I had 2 older brothers and an older sister from my dads previous marriage. Their mom had passed away. And he and my mom had a total of 7 children, one daughter older than me, a daughter born after me who died shortly after birth, and than my 2 younger brothers and 2 younger sisters. My youngest sister was born the same day my dad died, so she unfortunately did not get to meet him, but I am sure he is always watching over all of us. He was a man who believed in respect, and working for a living, and making the best of what one has.
He had lessons to teach, they would come out at all kinds of moments, kind of words of wisdom. Like to always say thank you, and to keep a smile in my pocket , and to watch where I am going and not where I have been, ( Ha he once repeated that to me after I walked into a parking meter.. he said “Cynthia, life is just like that parking meter, you have to look ahead and not worry about what is behind you) . He taught us honesty, and hard work matters. He was a traveling salesman, gone 5 days throughout the week. He would sometimes get home on Thursday, but need to go back out Friday and sometimes a Saturday was required.
I liked Saturdays , cuz sometimes it was a place I could ride along. He would take either Pam ( who was older) or me on a Saturday journey, which I am sure helped mom out just having one less kid to watch out for. Most Saturdays though he was home, and for a few years after I turned 5, he would be the parent to take me to my accordion lessons in Auburn.
In the car he would pipe out words of wisdom, and I tried to remember them as he taught hints of the road. He would tell me to remember when I start to drive that I need to pay attention when driving, and it is a huge responsibility, and when you are behind the wheel of a car there should be no other distractions. He would tell me a good driver anticipates the road and drivers and therefore should not need to always have to brake quickly, and that the markings on the road mean something very important.
He was a good man, he was like a hero to me, he was my dad, he was our dad! So even though I have not seen him for 58 + years, I miss him to this day , and say- Happy Heavenly Father’s Day Dad. And Happy Father’s day to all you dads out there.
Until later, Mrs Justa Alias Cindy
I was thinking about dad, and the memories I have of him. He was alive for the first 10 years of my life, and in those 10 years, I remember him holding my hand, I remember his talking to me, I remember him coming home from a week of being away as a traveling salesman.
Pam and I did it. The toast was beyond burned, the inside was actually brown, we felt bad we burnt his toast. He said “this is how I like it” He bit each piece, crunching it with his dentures, and smiling. He ate the whole piece. Thanking us for the lovely breakfast.
JustaKrusen/ Mrsjustakrusen 