he was much older than me, but had dark
snapping eyes.
they could snap with fun and teasing,
seriousness, and always full of
a love to learn new things.
he was also an excellent dancer.
he and his partner often cleared a
dance floor because they danced
so well together. even after they
had raised their boys.
the one time i did dance with him
still lingers fondly in my memory,
now 32 years later.
(at your wedding Connie.)
he loved his family;
his beautiful wife,
4 handsome sons,
3 daughters-in-love,
and grandkids.
also loved his family of birth,
seeming to have a special
spot for his sisters.
he was very much a gentleman,
good neighbor, faithful servant of God.
he played the harmonica.
i loved to watch him play.
hands moving "the pipe",
foot tapping, music flowing.
sweet memories.
one time i remember a bit of
spoiling for me.
we were in a shopping mall and
wandered past a candy counter.
it caught our eyes and he said
"do you like chocolate covered raisens?"
yes.
" I do too."
so this conservative man bought us some of
those fancy ones.
we walked around sharing them.
just he and i.
that's a small story about a
man who lived big.
i miss him.
i've missed him for 21 years
at holidays, family celebrations,
and just daily living.
happy Heaven Day to my
sweet father-in-love.
he's dancing with the love of his life,
just a few days before he died.
handsome teenager.
dad in the center of two of his brothers,
all 4 sons in the row behind. 1990
