Saturday, September 11, 2004

Reflections of My Father

I have been thinking all day about what it means to be a good citizen.  Since it is September 11th, I have been very reflective.  September 11, 2001 really, really changed my outlook on the human spirit.  I was so touched by the rallying of Americans - by strangers helping others.  It is still going on today.  The spirit of helping is ever-present.  I can see it.  The world has changed.   I know it has.  It will never be the same.  My concept of what a true hero has changed also.  I was also thinking today alot about who my heroes were.  I wanted to introduce everyone to my Dad tonight.  His name is Donald and he is 76.  You would never know that he is in his elder years.  What makes my "Daddeeoo" (as we call him) unique is that he has a spirit that doesn't quit.  He is a helper and a coach and a person who is concerned no matter what the situation is.  When I was little I thought that no one was smarter than my father was.  As  I am in my adult years I am realizing  that no one really is smarter than my father!  I can go to him for any answers and he, with concern, will find an answer for me - any answer!  He also likes to know what is going on in my life.  My life has been filled with alot of strife and illness and I know it must have been so hard for him, but he has hung in without judgment or abandonment when others have long since left me.  He strives to learn about my illnesses and takes me to most of my out of town appointments.  He has taught me to not judge others and to be a good friend.  He has become a "surrogate father" to my friends who don't have fathers or have parents who are not there for them.  He has a jovial spirit and quick wit and keeps pushing on even with constant pain.  Although sometimes I complain that I think he is micro-managing my life I really am so grateful that he is a constant source of strength and comfort and stability in my life that won't change or abandon me and won't swaver.  He roots for the little guy and his morals are impeccable.  I wanted to thank God for him today.  He has been married to my mother for 45 years (I think that is right?!) who is another constant, wonderful force in my life and another hero to me.  Yes, this is my Daddeeoo!!  Hope you all enjoyed meeting him!!  My hope is that everyone has a hero they look up to and loves with all their heart like I do my father!

16 comments:

  1. Beautiful entry and a tribute to a truly wonderful man, my father. -Krissy
    http://journals.aol.com/fisherkristina/SometimesIThink

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  2. Aww what a great entry! Arent dad's great!

    Thanks for the comment in my journal...I hope you are keeping well.  I have to go rest for a bit now (cos of the M.E...stupid illness!) but I'll be back to look at more of your journal....hope to hear from you again soon!

    love Amy

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  3. Thankyou for the comment in my journal!
    It's great to find somebody who understands what it is like to suffer from horrible depression.
    You're Dad sounds like an amazing man!
    I will be back to read more of your journal, but in the meantime, I'll put your link in my journal.
    Take care.
    Becci. xxxx

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  4. Hello!  Thankyou for visiting my journal and leaving such a nice comment.  It's nice to think someone likes what I write.  I've been having a read of yours, to get to know you a little better.  Is Krissy your sister, or a good friend?  She has also visited my journal and left lovely comments.  Must run in the family!  I know a little about depression hon, been there, thought not to the extent that you have.  I would be interested to hear more about your relatives that have autism and aspergers, my little man is still so little, it would be nice to have some sense of how he will cope in the world as he grows.  Thanks again for stopping by.
    Sara   x

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  5. I was going to type "must be nice to have a father like this" and realized that sounded a tad bitter. *sigh* Ah well...someone out there has to be lucky and get "the good ones". :-) -B

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  6. What a wonderful entry about your Father and how nice to see him.  I bet he is very proud of you as well.  Thank you for sharing.

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  7. Oh, your Dad sounds like a really sweet man.  Thanks for sharing this entry.  I put something similar up about my Dad on Father's Day.  If you get the chance, come read it in MySouthernHome!  I really enjoy reading yours and Krissy's journals.  When I get an alert from Krissy then I also go from her link to read yours too!
    Have a good Sunday.
    Sonya

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  8. I am Chelsea!!!  My mother wanted me to write something in her journal b/c she said everyone knows all about me and would love to see a comment from me, sooo... here I am, writing a comment in her journal! Thanks for all your concerns about me! :-)  Oh yeah, this is my grandpa or as we call him Opa! Yeah, he's great!!!  :-)

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  9. What a lovely story about your Father Val.  Yes, my Father is somewhat of a hero to me also. :)  How lovely to have a sister!  I always wanted a sister, and got stuck with two brothers instead!  Not the same!!!  Have to admit to you what I admitted to Krissy, I didn't bake the biscuits, I bought them!  They're still good though!  Take care.
    Sara   x

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  10. Oh, I had a look at that site - the world needs a voice - thankyou for that.  I remember watching Clay in American Idol, we had that here too.  Nice that he's doing stuff for kids with disabilities.
    Sara   x

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  11. Nice getting to meet your daddeeoo!  You are so fortunate to be able to have a relationship with him-- well, with both of your parents actually.  Treasure the time you have with them.  It is so very precious.  My parents died years ago, and i still miss them so SO much.

    The hero in my life today is my sister, Jennifer, who walks through the fire with me.  She is my rock, and one helluva woman!

    Stop by and say hello sometime.  ((0.~))  

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  12. Your daddeeoo sounds wonderful. I know what you mean by 9/11 altering people for the better, lets hope it continues and the world is a better place :).....Jules xxx
    http://journals.aol.co.uk/jules19642001/Itsmylife/

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  13. Hi Val.  Just wanted to stop by and thankyou for once again leaving lovely comments in my journal.  I love it every time I get a comment - big kid!  Well, thankyou, hope you are good, have a lovely day.
    Sara   x

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  14. What a very nice tribute to your father.  You are lucky to have him still in your life.  But, I also think he's pretty lucky to have a daughter like you.  Take care.
    Susan

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  15. HELLO, MY NAME IS PATTY I LIVE IN GASTONIA NORTH CAROLINA I AM 35 FIVE YEARS OLD AND I JUST READ THE STORY ABOUT YOUR FATHER, YOU ARE SO LUCKY TO HAVE HIM, MY DAD IS STILL ALIVE BUT MY GRANDFATHER RAISED ME HE WAS MY DAD AND I LOST HIM THIS PAST JUNE 8TH AND IT TORE MY WORLD APART I KNEW HE WAS SICK I JUST DIDN'T EXPECT IT SO SOON, IT TAKES EVERY BONE IN MY BODY TO GET ME UP EVERY MORNING JUST TO LIVE THRU THE DAY I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT YOU HAVE A GIFT SO YOU CHERISH IT AND SPEND EACH DAY AND DON'T LET A DAY GO BY WITHOUT TELLING HIM THAT YOU LOVE HIM BECAUSE WHEN HE IS GONE, ITS MISERABLE I READ YOUR STORY AND IT TOUCHED MY HEART AND I WANTED TO SHARE MY STORY WITH YOU SO IF YOU EVER NEED A FRIEND MY NAME IS PATTY AND MY E-MAIL ADDRESS IS PLILDAISY@AOL.COM AND REMEMBER GOD LOVES YOU AND HE WILL ALWAYS BE THERE TO PROTECT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AND CHERISH WHAT YOU HAVE NOW BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN ITS YOUR TIME TO GO THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR STORY, MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU ALWAYS.

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  16. HELLO, MY NAME IS PATTY I LIVE IN GASTONIA NORTH CAROLINA I AM 35 FIVE YEARS OLD AND I JUST READ THE STORY ABOUT YOUR FATHER, YOU ARE SO LUCKY TO HAVE HIM, MY DAD IS STILL ALIVE BUT MY GRANDFATHER RAISED ME HE WAS MY DAD AND I LOST HIM THIS PAST JUNE 8TH AND IT TORE MY WORLD APART I KNEW HE WAS SICK I JUST DIDN'T EXPECT IT SO SOON, IT TAKES EVERY BONE IN MY BODY TO GET ME UP EVERY MORNING JUST TO LIVE THRU THE DAY I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT YOU HAVE A GIFT SO YOU CHERISH IT AND SPEND EACH DAY AND DON'T LET A DAY GO BY WITHOUT TELLING HIM THAT YOU LOVE HIM BECAUSE WHEN HE IS GONE, ITS MISERABLE I READ YOUR STORY AND IT TOUCHED MY HEART AND I WANTED TO SHARE MY STORY WITH YOU SO IF YOU EVER NEED A FRIEND MY NAME IS PATTY AND MY E-MAIL ADDRESS IS PLILDAISY@AOL.COM AND REMEMBER GOD LOVES YOU AND HE WILL ALWAYS BE THERE TO PROTECT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AND CHERISH WHAT YOU HAVE NOW BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN ITS YOUR TIME TO GO THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR STORY, MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU ALWAYS.

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