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Father's day - Memories of happy times
Jun. 19th, 2005 11:22 amMy dad and I shared a very special bond, the kind only dads and daughters can share. Today I'm remembering the fun times we shared.
I was the first infant he was around for, because he was on his way to fight in Korea when my sister was born. I treasure the few pictures of us when I was tiny. Being the second kid, there aren't many pictures of me.
Most of the grownups who held my hand crushed it in theirs. Daddy had me hold on to his two fingers instead. It was a lot more comfortable. What I didn't realize at the time was that he had me even better than the hand crushing people did. His thumb clamped my hand to his fingers. I'm including a family picture from Easter when I was almost two. It's obvious I wanted to be running around like a maniac but he had my hand in that grip! I used it with my nephews when they were small. It works!
The year I started kindergarten, he started working for the county data processing department, though I doubt it was called that back then. He worked the swing shift, so he and I spent mornings together before he delivered me to my afternoon class. I loved running errands with him. People always told him I was his "spittin' image." I remember hugging his leg and feeling bashful and proud all at once.
My parents were rock n' roll fans. I have happy memories of riding in the car bouncing to Chuck Berry riffs and singing along to other late 50's rock 'n roll. One time Daddy called a radio station contest and won a 45! We had to go down there to pick it up. As Dad dealt with the front desk, I noticed a man sitting at a table with lots of equipment and two record players. He sparkled at me and asked me what my name was. I told him my name and that my Daddy won a record! Then he held up his finger and winked. The record was over and he spoke into the microphone. This was the man on the radio! How many five-year-olds get to see a radio station in action? When the music started again we spoke a little longer but then Daddy had his record and we had to go. I remember the nice man and I waving merrily at each other as I went out the door.
Daddy had a beautiful clear tenor voice. Mom would play the piano and they'd sing together. When my sister and I learned the songs, we'd sing along, too. Mom and my sister didn't want to perform. Daddy and I did. He spoiled me though. He'd always let me sing the melody and he'd harmonize. That bit me later when I had to learn to harmonize as an adult. Our first public performance together was at my parents' square dancing club on amateur callers night. I was 10 years old and I wanted to do a singing call named "Put a Light in the Window." Daddy said he'd be up there to back me up. I wonder now if he was afraid I'd choke? LOL I didn't. He let me do the calling part and when the phrase from the song came up as the dancers promenaded back "home" he harmonized with me. I was such a ham! He understood because I got it from him.
The last song we sang together was the duet version of "Unforgettable" by Nat "King" and Natalie Cole. Dad had Nat's entire collection of LPs in his cabinet. We used to listen to them anytime we wanted. When I grew up, I became a fan of his daughter's work. So when he chose that song to dance with me at my wedding, it was so perfect! We sang it to each other as we danced even though our karaoke DJ couple were singing it for the crowd. My train came unhooked and I was wearing 3 inch heels so it's a tribute to my Dad's wonderful dancing skills that I stayed on my feet and looked good! I guess I didn't mention that before. Dad was the best dancer I've ever danced with.
The last time we sang "Unforgettable" together was about six months before he died at his older sister's wake. She managed her late husband's Swing band, so her wake was a jam fest. He was finishing up his chemo and was in a wheelchair. I got up to sing and was singing our song to Dad. Mom and I realized at the same moment how much he wanted to sing, so where the second verse was going to start, I had the microphone in front of him and I was singing over his shoulder. His voice was weak and shaky. He couldn't remember the words. He couldn't remember the timing. I let him lead and sang around what he did, just as he used to do for me. Full circle, just like life.
Daddy was a treasure. I miss him so much!
( four pictures )
I was the first infant he was around for, because he was on his way to fight in Korea when my sister was born. I treasure the few pictures of us when I was tiny. Being the second kid, there aren't many pictures of me.
Most of the grownups who held my hand crushed it in theirs. Daddy had me hold on to his two fingers instead. It was a lot more comfortable. What I didn't realize at the time was that he had me even better than the hand crushing people did. His thumb clamped my hand to his fingers. I'm including a family picture from Easter when I was almost two. It's obvious I wanted to be running around like a maniac but he had my hand in that grip! I used it with my nephews when they were small. It works!
The year I started kindergarten, he started working for the county data processing department, though I doubt it was called that back then. He worked the swing shift, so he and I spent mornings together before he delivered me to my afternoon class. I loved running errands with him. People always told him I was his "spittin' image." I remember hugging his leg and feeling bashful and proud all at once.
My parents were rock n' roll fans. I have happy memories of riding in the car bouncing to Chuck Berry riffs and singing along to other late 50's rock 'n roll. One time Daddy called a radio station contest and won a 45! We had to go down there to pick it up. As Dad dealt with the front desk, I noticed a man sitting at a table with lots of equipment and two record players. He sparkled at me and asked me what my name was. I told him my name and that my Daddy won a record! Then he held up his finger and winked. The record was over and he spoke into the microphone. This was the man on the radio! How many five-year-olds get to see a radio station in action? When the music started again we spoke a little longer but then Daddy had his record and we had to go. I remember the nice man and I waving merrily at each other as I went out the door.
Daddy had a beautiful clear tenor voice. Mom would play the piano and they'd sing together. When my sister and I learned the songs, we'd sing along, too. Mom and my sister didn't want to perform. Daddy and I did. He spoiled me though. He'd always let me sing the melody and he'd harmonize. That bit me later when I had to learn to harmonize as an adult. Our first public performance together was at my parents' square dancing club on amateur callers night. I was 10 years old and I wanted to do a singing call named "Put a Light in the Window." Daddy said he'd be up there to back me up. I wonder now if he was afraid I'd choke? LOL I didn't. He let me do the calling part and when the phrase from the song came up as the dancers promenaded back "home" he harmonized with me. I was such a ham! He understood because I got it from him.
The last song we sang together was the duet version of "Unforgettable" by Nat "King" and Natalie Cole. Dad had Nat's entire collection of LPs in his cabinet. We used to listen to them anytime we wanted. When I grew up, I became a fan of his daughter's work. So when he chose that song to dance with me at my wedding, it was so perfect! We sang it to each other as we danced even though our karaoke DJ couple were singing it for the crowd. My train came unhooked and I was wearing 3 inch heels so it's a tribute to my Dad's wonderful dancing skills that I stayed on my feet and looked good! I guess I didn't mention that before. Dad was the best dancer I've ever danced with.
The last time we sang "Unforgettable" together was about six months before he died at his older sister's wake. She managed her late husband's Swing band, so her wake was a jam fest. He was finishing up his chemo and was in a wheelchair. I got up to sing and was singing our song to Dad. Mom and I realized at the same moment how much he wanted to sing, so where the second verse was going to start, I had the microphone in front of him and I was singing over his shoulder. His voice was weak and shaky. He couldn't remember the words. He couldn't remember the timing. I let him lead and sang around what he did, just as he used to do for me. Full circle, just like life.
Daddy was a treasure. I miss him so much!
( four pictures )
