Remembering Dad

I was born on my dad’s birthday. He died at the beginning of my senior year in high school. I was 17 years old. Although my time with him was short, he was a tremendous influence on the woman I am today. Here are a few memories I will always cherish:

Dad and me, 1955

1) We were visiting my aunt in Waukegan, Illinois, and Dad paid for me to ride on a mechanical horse stationed outside a department store.

2) Loved his humor! I was sick in bed with a fever one Easter morning, and he walked around the room collecting items to place on top of me—including a pail. Said he was going to “break” my fever.

3) He would let me sit by him on the couch and comb his hair every which way.

4) Great memories of him playing his mandolin as the family gathered around the piano for a gospel sing session.

5) Appreciated his patience and mercy when I took my nephew and two of my nieces on a ride to a neighboring town shortly after getting my driver’s license. In coming off blacktop onto a dirt road, the car spun around and ended up in the ditch. We had company when we arrived home, and I was going to tell Dad later. He beat me to it. Noticing the dirt on the fender, he observed to my older sister, “Hmm. That car has been somewhere!” Another time, when backing out of the garage, I took off part of the door. I don’t recall him scolding me for either incident.

6) Dad took me to the café in our little town and bought me a chocolate malt, the first I had ever had in a restaurant. It was the day before Mother’s Day, and they had beautiful flowering plants for sale. Dad purchased one for us to give to Mom. Great memory!

7) Will never forget the times he would look at me with those piercing eyes and say, “You get in there and help your mother!”

8) I cherish the many hours I spent with my Dad during the years he was unable to work because of his health, discussing politics and everyday life experiences. Our discussions helped form my social graces, common sense, conservative principles, and Christian faith.

9) Dad’s example of standing for what he believed was right has given me strength to do the same in difficult circumstances. For example, when I worked for a not-for-profit organization in New York and there was what I considered an unjustified attempt by employees to unionize, I and one other person were the only ones who chose not to participate in the coup. As a result, I was ostracized and treated unfairly by colleagues. In talking with my mom about the situation, she told me that my dad, at one of his jobs, had been the only employee to do the same. Knowing that Dad endured similar abuse and resisted pressure to conform gave me strength to stand for what I believed was right. If Dad could do it, so could I!

10) During the last year of his life, I remember listening to my dad read Mr Jones, Meet the Master, a book written by Peter Marshall, edited by his wife, Catherine. Dad recorded the entire book on a tape recorder that my brother gave him. The sermons and prayers of Marshall had a great impact on Dad spiritually. I could tell by the emotion in his voice as he read. Not long afterward, Dad went to heaven. His last words to my mom were, “Remember this, I’m having my wish.” He knew it was time to go, and he knew where he was going.

Thanks, Dad, for your love and the great legacy you left your children and grandchildren!

Postscript: My brother David tells me that, a month before Dad died, David took him on a ride. During that drive, Dad made this statement, "Almost everything I ever worried about never happened,"