My dad was not a sappy guy. He
was hardheaded and independent and not afraid to share his thoughts about any
subject with anyone. When I was growing up, I can remember my mom suggesting
that he curb his remarks at work out of concern that his tongue might
negatively affect his career path. Patience was not his strong suit, but he
taught countless friends and family members how to water ski over many years,
taking as much time with each as was needed to make them successful.
The year he coached my rec league
softball team, I heard many complaints from my teammates about how hard he
pushed us in practice. Our recreational league teams were organized by school.
Our elementary school had two teams—the ringers and the rejects. Our team was
the reject team. But that year, we won
the rec league championship because of the effort Dad extracted from us in
practice.
When my mom was diagnosed with an
incurable strain of tuberculosis, Dad took early retirement so they could enjoy
retirement together in the hills of Tennessee on Watts Bar Lake. Mom had a lot
of good years left, but as she became unable to cook or keep house Dad took
over those duties without complaint. He was devoted to my mom, and took care of
her as her health declined.
After retiring, he got active in
the little church they joined when they moved to the lake. He and Mom served in
many ways there, and developed a close circle of friends. When Dad was admitted
to the hospital last month, and we realized that his cancer was terminal, a
steady stream of friends flowed into his room to visit. My husband, Jim, and I
heard story after story of kindnesses done by Dad, and we were moved by the
circle of love that surrounded Dad and us, not only during his hospital stay
but also afterward, when he was moved to the nursing facility where he spent
his remaining three weeks.
Dad left this world peacefully
and gracefully in the early morning hours last Wednesday. Of course, I miss him
already, but I was blessed by the way he lived his final weeks on earth. And
even though there were many, many times I rolled my eyes or got frustrated by
things Dad said and did, I am proud to be his daughter.
