Tuesday, July 28, 2009

only to trip at the sound of goodbye

Sadness is hovering at Honeysuckle Faire because my dear, sweet Dad passed away. He was a bright, witty spark in our lives, never failing to make us bust out laughing at his antics. A friend gave me this photograph of him, above, which I will cherish forever because it is exactly like I remember him from my childhood. He is holding a "daisy glass" like the one I painted as a favorite symbol of that time period.
Here Dad is, circa 1943, with his younger brother.

And here, holding me, sometime in February, 1967.

Here we are, sledding in front of our barn in the winter of 1968.

Dad with his pockets out and empty when I spent all his money!
* * * *
My father was an animal lover of the first order. He was always more comfortable in social situations if there were pets around for him to walk or love up or feed. He would go on golfing trips with his friends and when we would get the film developed of his trip there would be a zillion pictures of horses in fields or a whole roll of different angles of a dog he met somewhere. Recently, he enjoyed reporting about the daily habits of Pie and Sovereign in the pastures. The very last conversation I had with him he told me to go and "play with your horsies". Unbelievably, his funeral procession drove right by our farm and Pie and Sovereign were in the pasture by the road. It was a glorious sunny morning and they were standing there just watching us go by.
Mom and I rode the boys yesterday morning and found our smiles again because of their sweet silliness.

13 comments:

  1. I love these sensitive pictures of your dad. They are so precious. He looks like a very nice man. Plus, he loved animals! I am so glad that phtography gives us these images that can help supplement our own memories, or in this case, enable me to see a wonderful guy. Thanks for printing them. It could not have been an easy post to make. Many warm hugs to you and everyone at Honeysuckle Faire.

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  2. What a sweet tribute to your father! I am sorry to hear about your loss. He sounded like a wonderful dad and I think it's so neat that you got your love of animals for him. Blessings and warm thoughts to you and yours at this time.

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  3. Very sorry to hear of your loss - but thank you for the lovely post on your memories.

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  4. Sorry for your loss.... ((((hugs)))))

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  5. Thanks everyone! You are all so great. I wish we lived closer and could go on a "blogging friends trail ride" sometime!

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  6. So sorry to hear of your loss of your dear father. It sounds like you have a wonderful family and he was a very loved man who gave a lot of love. THat is wonderful that you have that animal loving bond with him. Warm healing thoughts to you and your family.

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  7. Didn't that handsome daddy of yours get even better looking as he aged. I love that picture of John in his tuxedo pants, empty pockets turned out. Julie, it was a beautiful service. You and your mom honored him with your grace. So perfect that the procession went past the farm; boys prancing in the pasture, flicking their tails. Love, Glenda

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  8. So sorry for your loss. However, it's a beautiful thing that you can feel connected to your father everytime you are with your animal family. Best wishes.

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  9. what song are those lyrics from, "only to trip at the sound of goodbye"?

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  10. Anonymous - They are from Helplessly Hoping by Crosby, Stills, and Nash

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  11. thank you so much! ps, i love this and all your pictures.

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  12. I have to thank my wife for making your Father my best friend I ever had. She told me after meeting him in the mid 70's that I would really like him because he called a spade a spade. I never got to meet him until 1982 and the rest is history.

    He loved your Mother so so much and you Julie, also his Maisey. He always told me he was going to save the Red Tomatoe for her!

    Last, when I or others would get upset he would do one thing that I will always remember and if I forget I can see it in the barn. Your Mother told me, "Julie put a sign in the barn" which was a fitting tribute to you and you knew your Father so well and it said,
    "JUST RELAX"! I know he will do that for all of us!

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  13. Wes,

    Thank you so much for remembering my Dad with such a kind comment. You were his very best friend in all the world. I am so glad Kim and I were friends and you two eventually met each other.

    Mom just picked out a lovely monument that is a bench and it says "Just Relax"! Isn't that wonderful?

    Thank you for always being there for my Dad.
    Love,
    Julie

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