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)
mickeyrony
The sentence in a heart is nothing compared to the memories, some pictures of "tell time. Just look a moment to punish its absence. I understand your pain and memories for a simple look that father love who did not have foreseen the smiles as Kates. Your heart fills with "emotion, but what it tastes result. Bravo is a magic photo, humane and loving. I believe he deserves the heat of an e thought each new day of his journey. MICKEYRONY La peine dans un coeur n'est rien à comparer aux souvenirs, que certaines photos d"époque relatent . Il suffit de regarder un moment pour nous punir comme de son absence .Je comprend tes peines et souvenirs pour un simple regard de ce père adorer qui n'as pas pu prévoir les sourires de Kates comme . Ton coeur se remplit d"émoi, mais quelles saveurs il en résultent . Bravo c'est une photo magique ,humaine et rempli d'amour . Je croie qu'il mérite d'avoir la chaleur d'un e pensée à chaque nouveau jour de son grand voyage .MICKEYRONY
greensleeves81
So beautiful, warm and gracious!
anahata.c
you know, I owe you a letter, but one of the things I was going to say was that this upload was one of the most touching in your or any other gallery, that I've read for a long time. Your words are direct, from the heart, with honesty and love that you've left untouched and unchanged; and his letter is truly moving. While he's saying that he's been trained (as many men are) to withhold certain feelings, lord, he expresses them all. The letter left me in tears, as did your simple but from-the-bottom-of-the-heart dedication to him. A beautiful upload, and a piece of life everyone can relate to. Uploads like this make us feel gratitude...thank you for this, it's beautiful, and a great tribute to someone you must've loved a great deal. Wonderful, Lucinda, and very moving.
anaber
Lucinda. I have a look in your gallery now and then...i don't know why i never was here...in this page! I cannot avoid the tears in my eyes...and i thank you from the bottom of my heart that you shared this with us! Being a mother, i have to say that i never wrote so beautiful words...! There is a lesson of tenderness and total honesty in words of your dad! He wrote from his heart and i feel his love as a precious pearl...You were both very lucky , having each other! IT IS A DIVINE STORY OF LOVE and it is the most wonderful love letter that i ever had read. I Wish you a wonderful Christmas and a great 2017, with all the very best to YOU and all yours! Have a wonderful WINTER!