My Dad and his brothers; seated from left to right are Harvey, the oldest, born in 1922; Roudet (Rudy), born in 1930; Bill, born in 1924; and standing behind them is my Dad, Kenneth Ray (Kenny) born this day in 1927.
Dad in the late 50's or early 60's in the living room of this house I still live in. Sometimes the memories here make things easier, then there are days like today...what should have been his 80th birthday.
Dad and the "apple of his eye", my sister Cindy somewhere around 1970. No kidding, she was always his favorite, and never did anything wrong! Uncle Rudy used to tell me that it was always that way; that the oldest never does anything right, and when a parent sees how that works then they do a complete reversal on the next kid...
Dad, Harvey and Rudy are all gone now, in that order.
Most years it doesn't bother me so much, but something about this being his 80th has been weighing heavily on me. The grandsons he'd be so proud of; the great grandkids he never got to see. Though he would be pissed at me for saying it, I'd trade Mom for him in a heartbeat! I know in many ways I would still be a disappointment, and that we would have our disagreements; I know there are times he would infuriate me.
But damn I sure miss him!
alan
11 comments:
I miss my dad, too. He was a navy (ROTC) man, gave the best years of his life to Flint Chevrolet Pressed Metal. By the time he became ill, his colleagues were starting to be forced into early retirement.
My older brother took the heat and criticism, my little sister was indulged, and I'm glad I was the middle kid.
I think I understand what you're feeling. On January 26 my dad would have been 69. Having died at 50, he missed a lot of the good stuff -- never even knew my two youngest kids, and there are so many things they could have learned from him better than I can teach them.
Beautiful pictures, Alan, and a wonderful tribute to your father.
Lovely tribute, Alan.
I lost my dad three years ago just after his 80th birthday. I was the oldest. He expected much and I'm not sure I always measured up. But, I know I was loved.
Yep, i know what you mean, i usually miss my dad around Fathers' day, actually even on Mothers' day, or when i am feeling really really low.
and i agree, what a lovely tribute...he sure looks like he was a nice man, but then as "they" say, "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree", eh?
...and i am partial to the name Kenneth, and weird .... today, where ever i was i kept noticing the initial K or the name Ken or Kenneth...isn't that strange...it just kept popping out at me and i was wondering why? hmmmm....
well, anyway alan, i just came over to thank you for your Comment, and to wish to Happy Valentine's day for tomorrow.
great post. happy valentines day {{alan}}
yes...
anniversaries are hard...
loss is hard
you have wonderful pictures, though
((you))
thanks for hanging in with me, my friend.. it has been so rough lately...i appreciate it
oops..Sorry Alan I deleted above.
Just wanted to say what a beautiful tribute..Hugs and Kisses today. Happy Valentines Day~
I know what you mean — I miss my mother, too.
Happy Valentine's Day, Alan! May you feel how much you are loved today.
I miss my dad too. In March, he will be gone fifteen years. Not a day goes by that I don't think of him. There's always something there to remind me.
This is a lovely tribute, alan. It's a good thing that love goes on in our hearts always.
I'm the oldest too and understand what you are saying. But I still think he would be super proud of you.
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