A Letter by myrrhluz
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Description
If my dad were still living, he would be 86 today. For the last 8 years of his life, he suffered from the effects of a stroke that left him disabled and changed in personality. When I think of those eight years, my heart goes out to all who must face a loved one changed by illness. When I think of my dad I remember those eight years, but mostly I remember the man he was before the stroke.
I remember:
His wisdom and humor.
His voice singing.
His joy of fishing, and excellent fish fries at Toledo Bend.
Talking to him late into the night about every subject under the sun.
Going for long walks with him on British footpaths or short walks to his garden.
Hearing him snore on the recliner in front of a football game.
Hearing him say “I was watching that” if we changed the channel.
The warm and sustaining hug he always gave me when I arrived at my parents' house.
The warm look in his eyes when my mom walked into the room.
A letter...
When I was 22 and overseas in Japan I got a birthday letter from my dad.
On his birthday
In his memory
I share his words
Happy Birthday Dad
Dear Lucy,
As Pat left tonite to go substitute in ladies Bridge Group she said: “If you’ll write your youngest daughter a birthday letter, I’ll try to mail it tomorrow and maybe she’ll get it. I know I won’t have the “care package ready.” As you know I always do what Pat asks so Happy Birthday! What does an aging father write to his youngest daughter on her twenty second birthday? Can he in any new and different way express the love he holds for her from the first time he saw her, a helpless infant, but so beautiful in his eyes. Probably not. Can he, then offer his blessing -- the Biblical blessing of father to child--But would that be any different from all the silent blessings as he rocked the babe in his arms. Or the mute out pouring of his heart as he watched her grow into a young woman. Can he offer sage advice to smooth her path in a world of choices & decisions-- Or is it past time for advice now that she is her own person. Does he write the old tried and true platitudes of the ages, penned by unknown poets and tied with a pretty bow. Or perhaps he should try a witty card but must tenderness be denied him?
How does he express with sincerity the tenderness, the affection, the love, the good wishes-all those things he feels for this his last child-this special daughter? We who were brought up to control our deepest feelings, to joke when we felt a little too serious or sentimental…As we grow older we have a sense of loss at not being able to express our feelings to those we hold dear.
So Lacking the pen of the poet and the ease of emotional expression, I can only say, Happy Birthday, Lucy - Happy Birthday my youngest Daughter. I love you - Dad
Comments (34)
myrrhluz
One of the best presents my dad ever got (and on his birthday!) was his first grandchild. HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATE!
drifterlee
Wonderful old photos. So sorry for your loss.
durleybeachbum
How marvellous is this! Thankyou so much for sharing!
jascorpio
Lovely tribute!!!
helanker
This was really touching and so beautiful indeed. Yeah it is best to remember the good things and try to forget the bad. Thanks for sharing this.
dochtersions
Dear Lucinda. No words, I'm in tears, so very touched. Thank you my dear friend, for sharing this love-letter with us.
annie5
He was a beautiful man! Thanks for sharing with us :)
tennesseecowgirl
What a beautiful gift, my dad always wrote letters, pages and pages long, where he would even draw little pictures or illustrations to show what he was trying to write about, I loved them and I have them all still. I had to laugh at the similarities of our fathers, my dad also was an avid fisherman, was one of his great passions, so was baseball and football, and I can recall doing the same thing changing the channel after he had fallen asleep and him waking up saying hey I am watching that. And him calling to sing to me every year on my birthday, your not only are honoring your own father but helping some of us to look back at memories of ours thanks for that. What a touching post, beautifully done. Hugss I know it is a hard day for you.
jendellas
What a wonderful letter to arrive on your birthday. Thankyou so much for sharing this beautiful gift from your dad. Take care. xxxx
jayfar
Lovely pictures and very touching story and letter.
unstart
What a beautiful tribute and loving memories!!
emmecielle
I was touched to read the letter! Lovely tribute to your father! Hugs
mariogiannecchini
Grande ricordo di tuo padre! So bene cosa voglia dire avere un genitore malato in casa . Lettera veramente commovente .Ungrande abbraccio , Lucinda ! Great memories of your father! I know what it means to have an ill parent at home. Letter really touching. Ungrande hug, Lucinda!
sandra46
a very touching tribute for your dad
magnus073
Lucinda, this really hit home with me and all I can do is read it over and over and soak it all up. First of all let me say sorry for the loss of your Dad, he really sounds like he was one of a kind and the best Dad ever. It's hard to imagine a more moving dedi as this one has me fighting back the tears when combined with the images. Thanks for sharing his letter with us as it helped us to feel like we knew him in a small way and gave us an insight into just what a loving Father he was. Great job, sorry but I have to break away for a while after this.
flavia49
wonderful memories and great tribute!! thanks for sharing!
vaggabondd
What a wonderful thing to be able to pick up a pen and put down what is in your heart. I envy both of you. How nice would it be to receive a letter like this from your father, he clearly loved you with all his heart and how nice it is to love your daughter so deeply that these are the words that are in your heart. Thank you so much for sharing this with all of us Randy
JaneEden
Oh Lucy what did you do, I am crying now! It brought back memories of my own father and the unconditional love I had for him and he for me. He too had a stroke in latter years, and I am so saddened that my own children cannot remember what he was really like. I nursed him when he got terminal cancer, and to this day I miss him and how we too used to talk about any subject for hours. The letter your father wrote to you is so obviously your prized possession, and as it should be too. Thank you so much for sharing that and your father's birthday anniversary with us, I know that he is looking down on you now, and guiding you along the way, living on in your heart and in your fond memories of him. hugs Jane xx
goodoleboy
Great grin. All the above, and more, Lucinda!
npauling
What a wonderful letter your Dad sent to you, better than any present I think. A lovely dedication to your father who sounds to have been a wonderful man and a great father. You must really miss him but you also have great memories.
mgtcs
This is a fantastic and moving tribute, amazing old photos, a very sweet memories,thank you for sharing!
bimm3d
wonderful memories and great tribute!! thanks for sharing!
Madbat
It means a lot to have memories like this, thanks for sharing this.
alanwilliams
Lucinda. A very moving and heartfelt tribute, and having recently lost my dad, i know where your coming from
ShadowsNTime
This is so incredibly beautiful Lucinda! I can't see the images well but the dedication both from you and from your dad to you brought tears to my eyes. You know how this has touched me as you know so much of my history now and that I never had a chance to have this kind of relationship with my father. I copied and pasted it into notepad (so I could see it well) and have read it over and over. What a wonderful man your father was, what a special relationship! His words so wise, special and important, telling of the time when people hid their emotions, what a gift he gave you that day so long ago. A gift that continues to this day. Happy Birthday to your father and many blessings to you for sharing this so awesome letter! I am faving this so I can come back and see it again when my pc is fixed. Thank you so much for sharing your memory, one to be cherished by anyone who reads it!
clbsmiley
Aww! This is so wonderful!! Thanks for sharing. A wonderful image of your family! :)
MagikUnicorn
Beautiful dedication...my father die in 1998 at 77...and my mother die in 2009 at 86
jocko500
My dad is still alive. His legs is gone but but his mind is still sharp. i sit here crying a lot for i know he 94 years old and i know time will take him as time takes all people. I see he love the Lord and loves you a lot.
lior
Such a superb tribute and memorie.
wysiwig
Another Scorpio? We are a passionate bunch! I know from experience that it is never easy but you are fortunate to have such wonderful memories. Your dad looks like a nice man, a modest man. I'm sure he would be very touched at your warm and loving tribute. I can see where you got your way with words.