A Tribute to my Dad

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
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This is my first post on this message board, though I’ve been reading for years. This is just something that I need to share. I guess sometimes it takes a loss before you really understand someone and what they are really trying to say.
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It’s a Beautiful Day**
On August 30th, 2010 my Dad passed away. As I left the hospital on the worst day of my life I was struck by the irony on what a beautiful day it was, sunny blue skies and a warm breeze. I started thinking about how Dad would always say “It’s a beautiful day”. It could be eighty degrees and sunny or ten below with blowing snow, but it was always the same to him, beautiful. Was this just something he said, or did he know something I didn’t?

My Dad was born during the depression, grew up in rural Pennsylvania, and served in the Army during the Cold War. He was married to my Mom for forty-nine years and helped raise six kids. There were times when he worked two jobs to make sure that we had everything we needed. He never bought a luxury car and there weren’t extravagant vacations, but he was always there for us. He lived a life that saw hard times, but he never complained.

As I sit today writing this looking out the window at a sunny blue sky and my baby girl sleeping next to me, I think I finally know why he said that. It was never about the weather. Your health may fade and money my come and go, but it’s your family and friends that make you want to get up in the morning and greet the day. They are what make the day beautiful.

Dad, I know you are looking down on all of us and I want you to know we love you and miss you. You will be in our thoughts every day. It makes me sad to think about how Clare will never get to know you, but I know you will be there when she says her first words and take her first steps because a part of you is in me. I’ll make sure to tell her everyday what a great father and grandfather you were. If am half the father you were to me I will consider that a great success.

So take some time to step outside, feel the breeze on your face, look up to the clouds or stars, think about your loved ones and say to yourself, and for my Dad, “It’s a beautiful day!”

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Translation of the start of Joan Manuel Serrat’s Hoy puede ser un gran día:

Today can be a beautiful day, just look at it that way; you can choose to take advantage of it or let it pass you by…

My condolences for your loss. May you have many beautiful days to share with your father’s memories and pass them on to your daughter.

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I’m sorry for your loss.

I have a friend whose father died on August 30th ten years ago. I sent him your tribute, knowing he would share your feelings. It’s good to put those thoughts and memories into words.

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michae210 - My dad was dying on a beautiful Spring day 10 years. I remember thinking how unfair it was that everything was blooming, people on the streets were happy. How could life ever be great, without my dad? My dad had an upbringing similar to yours. Born in the 30’s, his father a hard, unloving man. Raised a family of 5 kids, and was proud of all of us. When he was so frail and sick, my mother slept with a ribbon died to both their wrists, so she’d feel it if he tried to get up in the night. Dad always said “Make it a great day!”

Make if a great day. Your dad would want you to.

StG

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Untill you become a parent you can never understand your parents, I carry the spirit of my father within me and often when I have done something I know he would have been proud of I think of him. I often see a sail boat sailing and I think that that is him, being a dad is ace and i thank god that I had a good one.