My Dad died suddenly when I was 16. He's been roaming the Heavens for 39 years. I am the youngest of 6 kids, and am sure that my recollections vary a bit from my older siblings, but, we all hold the same warmth, love, and respect for our Dad. He was a Physician. He was tough, intelligent, funny, and my Hero.
The other day, I was looking at an old Eskimo doll that sits on my bookshelf. My Dad brought it home for me from a business trip to Montreal. It used to have a hood, lined in faux fur, but who knows where that disappeared to over the years. It even has a rip in the back of it's outfit that my Dad "sutured" with a piece of wire. It's still there. He was handy and crafty that way.
He was also an avid golfer. Even made his own "costumes" or accessories to wear to themed golf tournaments. I vaguely recall a tiger-striped ensemble he made for a Detroit Tigers tourney. Maybe it was just a hat. Maybe it was a sort of jacket. Maybe it was both. Sewing, sutures, Eskimo clothes, peoples injuries. All in a day's work ;)
The other day, I was looking at an old Eskimo doll that sits on my bookshelf. My Dad brought it home for me from a business trip to Montreal. It used to have a hood, lined in faux fur, but who knows where that disappeared to over the years. It even has a rip in the back of it's outfit that my Dad "sutured" with a piece of wire. It's still there. He was handy and crafty that way.
He was also an avid golfer. Even made his own "costumes" or accessories to wear to themed golf tournaments. I vaguely recall a tiger-striped ensemble he made for a Detroit Tigers tourney. Maybe it was just a hat. Maybe it was a sort of jacket. Maybe it was both. Sewing, sutures, Eskimo clothes, peoples injuries. All in a day's work ;)
The other day, when my Daughter and I were putting up our Christmas tree, I recalled one Christmas my family had in Detroit. Our tree was a biggun'. So big, that it wouldn't fit in the tree stand. My Dad crafted a wooden base, and nailed it to the bottom of tree. He then created a system of sugar water IVs that he strapped to the trunk. Yep, intravenous tree feeding. Several small glass IV bottles were secured to the trunk, complete with attached tubing, and needles that were jabbed into the trunk. GEENIUSSS! I'll never forget it. Ever. Did he think that this would sustain the 9 ft Fraser fir? Yep, probably. And did it keep the
big-o-thing alive the whole Christmas season? Why, yes it did! (After all, there is no documentation in the family archives of any of us being slammed by a falling, dead, 9-ft tree. Maybe it was 20 ft. I don't know. I was young and small. We all survived.)
My Dad would have been 94 last Saturday. I miss him terribly. Some may not believe this, but, I believe he "visits" our house on a regular basis. I find great comfort in that.
So does the Christmas tree.
Happy Birthday, Daddy. I love you.
*The details of the Tree story are remembered differently, or not at all by some family members. At least 2 of us recall this one. xo
So does the Christmas tree.
Happy Birthday, Daddy. I love you.
*The details of the Tree story are remembered differently, or not at all by some family members. At least 2 of us recall this one. xo