My Dad

C

Catman

New member
Ten years ago tonight my dad died of a heart attack.

Recently I've come across letters he wrote me from as far back as the mid-70's. His words demonstrated love, and as I read through his well-crafted messages I'm struck by how lucky I was to have him as my father. We had some wonderful years doing sports and cruising Washington and B.C. in the 60's and 70's.

I have some regrets, however. I could have been more mature, more appreciative sooner than I was. Could have been a more understanding son. But what I wasn't then I work to be today, and dad's voice is still in my head to help me. Funny how smart he's gotten.

They never go if we don't let 'em, and my conversations with my dad these days are words I hope he hears. He taught me more than I knew, and I wish he'd lived longer so I could share an older me with him.

Today I sat in the grass at his grave at Tahoma Memorial Cemetery in Kent. Birds sang. Life slowed. There's his name, my dad's name. There on the gravestone. How could that be? My fingers massaged the letters.
I continued to stare, and to think about what he meant to me.

Tears fell. I was lifted.
 
Catman-

Thanks for gving us the chance to share these tholughful and well written ideas! I've felt many if not most of them myself regarding my father, as have many, many others, I'm sure. Too bad we can't really come up the years and understand all of this and visit with our parents until we reach this age ourselves. Thanks again, Joe.
 
Catman,

Well thought. Well spoken.

Somehow I have no doubt that the energy of your thought and emotion make it to where ever He is.

My folks are buried at Arlington. Happily, I no longer have (any) business in Washington; but I do sometimes have business at Arlington.

If I could write, I would do a book called "Conversations at Fifty." It would describe a conversation around a campfire with my Dad, my Grandad, and a few more generations of Casebeer/Poyner menfolk. Magically, we would ALL be fifty, and our perspective and observations would be from that same age, but tinted with the experience of our particular place in Time. While the differences would be astounding, I believe the similarities would reveal some of the underlying lessons we all seek.

Thank you.

Casey
C-Dory Naknek
 
I know what you're talking about...lost my dad in '99. So many things I wish we would have talked about, but never did. I feel his presence whenever we're out hunting or fishing...and I smile to myself. Your dad is with you always...whether or not you feel it at the time.

Rick
 
Brock, Thanks buddy, for sharing. Made me think about how much I miss my dad. It has been 26 years. How could that possibly be? It seems like he was here just a while ago. Maybe........

Robbi
 
Not a bad legacy for your dad to have left...a son who cares and tries to do the right thing.

Thanks for baring your heart.

colobear
 
Patty here. Wow, Brock. That was so eloquent and touched my heart. I think of my Dad every day and can't believe he's been gone 19 years this year. I had a full year (he had ALS) to tell him how much he meant to me, how much he gave me, but a loss is a loss, isn't it?
 
Way Cool. I still visit with my dad and I have to drive to Iowa to do it. With
memorial day comming up we all should take the time to think about this
topic. Thanks for that post. Again Very Cool.
:smiled john schuler :smiled
 
Thanks Brock. Good warm thoughts. My dad and mom both passed away about that time, within a year of each other. I still miss them both.

And John, savor every moment you can get and say all the things you want to say now, you may never get another chance...l :unlove

Charlie
 
Brock
Your father must have been a man of honor, for his reflection is revealed in the person of his son. You are the kindest gentleman I know. Yes, he would be proud of who you are. :hug :love
 
Brock,

And to think your friends say you have no feelings (Ha Ha)

I would love to have your permission to use your story in a Father's Day Sermon. You obviously have touched a lot of hearts with the wonderful way you captured the importance of your relationship with your dad.

Thanks A Million for sharing.
 
Wow. Moist eyes again, and I'm just reading a screen. Parents are a thread we all share. Funny thing is, after a decade his passing evokes more emotion than years before.

At any rate, each of your carefully crafted responses were a warm embrace. Thank you so much. I dropped in to read two or three replies and was overwhelmed. Yeah, this is a heck of a place. What a group.

It feels good to feel this good.
:love

P.S. C-Sick, of course you can. And I'm flattered.
 
Catman, your very rich message about your father gave a gift to all of us. Just look at the wonderful posts that have followed yours.
You all brought me up short and gave me a needed lesson. My dad will be 99 in June and my mom is 96. I adore them both but sometimes I get so caught up in overseeing their lives that I forget to slow down and just appreciate them. My mom is in a local adult care home but Dad still lives on his own!!
Dad is very vital, keeps up on current events and LOVES people.
When Bob and I attended the CD gatherings at the SBS we both agreed that Dad would love to be in the company of this wonderful group. We are hoping against hope to get him to a gathering ON THE WATER when we get our boat this summer.
Thank you for being such loving brats,
Betsy
 
Brock

It also says allot about what we think about you too... You have a lot of friends...Your dad must have rubbed off on you.

Joel
SEA3PO
 
Brock,
Thank you for so eloquently sharing your remembrances of your dad. It is obvious that many of us have similar thoughts. Count me in as one who mourns for the opportunity to again speak with our parents. I have always felt however, that my parents see and hear all that I do....(a bit frightening to think that way, but probably helps keep me "in line").
My dad truly loved the water...(active WWII as a chaplain on an aircraft carrier...the USS Intrepid). At one time he dreamed of the two of us operating a commercial fishing boat and during the "off season" utilize it as a tour boat in the San Juans. (This was back in the '60's). However, other than his owning a 5HP Johnson outboard (no boat ever), this particular dream never materialized.
While out cruising on "Sea Shift", I often feel as if he is on the water sharing the moments with me! He would have truly loved the "sensibility" of the C-Dory line of boats!

Thanks for "triggering" many memories!
 
Back
Top