My dad.
This is a story about my dad.
I spent most of my youth as an only child of a single parent. When I was fifteen, Mom met a man, an Army man. They got married when I was sixteen. SIXTEEN. I was not at my best when I was sixteen. Not by a long shot. I. Was. Horrible.
But this man, this man in the Army. This man had patience. He overlooked my extreme ass-hole-ness. He was probably the most patient man in the world.
Time passed. I grew up. (Better late than never.) I was honored to have that man walk me down the aisle when I married Very Excellent Husband Don. He smiled from ear to ear the entire weekend.
He was an awesome dad.
He held three grandchildren in his arms. He held little hands as they explored the world. He taught them how to jump waves in the ocean. He taught them how to fish, with powdered donuts for breakfast on the boat. He watched them and cheered them on in everything they did. He smiled.
He was an awesome grandpa.
We knew he was sick at oldest daughter’s high school graduation. He needed a lot of help getting to his seat at middle son’s graduation. We missed him so much when our youngest son graduated and he was only there in spirit.
He’s gone. Oh my, we miss him. I think about him every day. And smile.
Some people inherit money, some inherit china, some get first edition books. This may sound weird to some people – I feel like I won the lottery with my inheritance. I got his Craftsman drill.
This man, he made stuff. He made everything. You name it, he could make it or fix it. Everything. He had lots of tools. But when you make stuff, you use a drill for just about everything.
And now, I use this drill every time I make or fix something. I use it for everything. It’s big and heavy. My arm gets tired holding it. It doesn’t help that I’m not the best carpenter. Excellent Son Sawyer and I laugh when we’re making something because over and over we say, “Yeah, that’s close enough”. Somewhere, my dad is laughing at us. I wish he was around to give us a lesson or two.
The drill is like he was – tough, strong, hard-working, and gets the job done every time. I love using that drill and thinking of him.
Now back to the Memorial Day part. He was in the Army for a long time – career guy. He flew helicopters in Vietnam. It did not define him, but it was definitely a part of who he was.
He was out by the time he was a grandpa. The kids don’t have a memory of him being a military man.
But I do.
Soon after he married my mom, he got orders to go to Korea. We had all moved to a new, nicer house. Now he had to leave. He stood there in the entryway, ramrod straight, in full military dress. He hugged me, unpleasant human being that I was, and he cried.
He left to go serve his country. At that very moment, he did not want to go. Yet he did.
He’s not here anymore. But I have a lifetime of memories of a military man, a wonderful dad, and the best grandpa in the world. And my drill.
I definitely won the lottery.
(Sharing at Clever Chicks Blog Hop, Backyard Farming Connection Hop, Down Home Blog Hop and HomeAcre Hop, Country Homemaker Hop, Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop, From the Farm Blog Hop and Creative HomeAcre Hop!)
Lovely, lovely story.
Lori recently posted…Picking Up the Brush
He was the best. Thanks.
What a wonderful testimony to what sounds like a wonderful dad. Love that you have his drill and make things too. Love is the greatest gift of all… Happy Memorial Day to you and your family.
A View From A Brown Dog recently posted…Happy Memorial Day
Back at ya! Thanks for always checking in here with me and mine. Hope your weekend was as good as the photos you took!
What a lovely tribute! He sounds like such a wonderful man and I know he is missed very much. Thank you for telling us more about him!
Tammy/Our Neck of the Woods recently posted…Strawberries With Graham Crackers
Thanks Tammy. He is missed!
I didn’t know you got Billy’s drill.
The very best thing I inherited from my grandma were two perfectly seasoned cast iron skillets. I am sure Grandma had them since the 1930s and now I use them almost everyday. Can’t think of a better way to remember and honor someone then to use something well-made that they used all the time too.
We are so DARN practical!!!!!!!!! 🙂
Nancy recently posted…This Caught Our Eye: Home Edition
That we are, Nancy. We are nothing if not practical! And funny. We’re funny, too!
Lovely tribute. And I do love those old tools too. I’m currently in the market for a table saw but can’t get myself to buy one of the new, plastic ones from a Big Box.
I’m a big fan of buying tools on Craigslist – I’ve met some great old guys and picked up some sturdy tools! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Joan Hobbs recently posted…Onward and Upward
Took me this long to gather up the tissues and have a private space to read the post. He raised a great daughter and I am blessed to have spent time with him
He smiled every time we spoke your name, Amy. He thought you were the best!
Beautiful, beautiful tribute. Thanks for sharing at the HomeAcre Hop. Please come back and see us this week: http://everythinghomewithcarol.com/the-self-sufficient-homeacre-hop-2/
Carol J. Alexander recently posted…The Kool-Aid Alternative
Your Dad sounds like, not only a wonderful Dad, but a wonderful man. It is apparent that he made an impression on you. I think it’s wonderful that you have his drill. I’m sure that every time you use it you think of him.
Thanks for linking up to The Creative HomeAcre Blog Hop!
Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions recently posted…Project In The Works ~ Rag Quilt