This one will sound weird for people who spend time with me, but then again after reading it you might understand me a little better. Daddy was a small but quiet man. He had a wonderful sense of humor when he would let you see it. I always loved getting a smile from my daddy because that meant he was extremely pleased with what I had done, or was thinking of something smart to say (it didn't matter if he said it or not). I had no brothers so I filled the tom-boy roll as best I could for my daddy. We didn't really talk alot on our hunting, fishing, or bowling outings but just spending time with my daddy was the best.
My daddy taught me how to hold a rabbit while he cleaned it, or course I could never bring myself to try to eat it once it was cooked. I learned how to cast a fishing line, even if I never caught anything, and spent hours watching my daddy clean the fish when he got them back home. When we would eat the spoils of the fishing trip my daddy always took the bones out for me and then put them on his plate so that I didn't get them mixed back into my food. Daddy taught me how to score bowling without the machines (did not have the computers when I learned) doing it for you, and then to his best ability how to throw the ball. People still tell me I bowl funny, but that is how my daddy taught me to bowl, won't change now.
Every summer, and this winter, I am reminded of all the times we would mow the yard. Daddy taught me how to mow untamed yards cleaning houses for a realtor and that does come in handy when my own gets out of hand. We had an old heavy red mower with a white handle that was a bugger to start, but once it was going it would run until the gas went dry. That was a great mower no matter what we put it through. When I went into the military he was so proud of me (couldn't show it because of other family members) and his eyes would glisten when he talked to me. When I came home for a visit and told him I was working on C-130's he didn't hide he pleasure for that one at all. Daddy was working at a small airpark and helping clean up after they refurbished light aircraft. Whenever I would go visit daddy would show me around the hanger and he was as proud as if he was showing around a celebrity. He would tell the "boys" as he called them, "she could come and work with you and do just a good a job as you do."
I really do miss my daddy most of the time. I am very jealous that he is in heaven playing with my first born everyday, but I am also extremely glad that Alexis doesn't have to share him with the rest of us yet and is getting all the attention that I used to get from him. I'm not sure if infants age in heaven or not, but I do hope she is big enough to enjoy all the fun things that you can do with daddy.
Daddy you left me way to soon, but thank you for still reminding me of you in your own ways. Can't wait to see you again when my girls are strong enough to not need me anymore. I love you, Daddy!
