- His study at the Church he pastored when I was young. It was so full of books and he always had a treasure trove of cups, bowls and glasses. Mom paid us a nickel apiece to bring them back to the house from the church study.
- The night Daddy shot a bat in the church with a bb gun. We were watching from the nursery. It was an old country church with an attic full of bats.
- His love of fly fishing. The beautiful rainbow trouts retrieved from Penns Creek so near our home. I still don't like to eat fish, though.
- On hot summer days the family would escape to a mountain park called Tall Timbers for a picnic. So soothing and the water was COLD!
- Listening to baseball games on AM radio. The radio "whistled".
- Listening to old radio shows such as Lum and Abner. We had no TV.
- Friendly, brisk discussions about literature choices. JRR Tolkein, CS Lewis vs. Grace Livingston Hill.
- Going to see local ball teams play and pick up games with friends from church. His concern the day I got a line drive in the belly.
- Our playful "nasal" singing to the southern gospel music at the Sunday dinner table. This was something that just Daddy and I took part in...Mom and Allan just laughed.
- Listening to polka music while at the dinner table.
- Singing together, for real, at the many churches that invited our group in for a service.
- Riding the CATA Bus into a Penn State Football game while Daddy quizzed me about the facts of football. ie, what is a safety?
- Freezing on metal bleachers while watching Penn State Soccer.
- Learning to drive...Daddy didn't last long on this one and Mom got me back after I took Dad for a ride into a corn field. My kids love that story!
- Seeing his happiness at my choice in a mate. He loved Warren so much!
- His transparent delight in his grandchildren.
- His help and encouragement to our young family in so many ways.
As you can see, I love my Dad a whole bunch and could never express the whole of the loss that his leaving has left in my life. I am so thankful that this good-bye is not permanent!
Thanks for indulging me on this emotional day.
1 comment:
What a wonderful tribute!!
Again Becky, we have something in common!! My dad was a Pastor and he was a fisherman. He wasn' a fly fisherman but a surf/ocean fisherman! Isn't that something??
Our dad's were not only fisher's of FISH but fisher's of MEN!
What a legacy to pass on!
Also you can have a peaceful day knowing that your Dad is with our Lord! What comfort that is!
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