FATHER'S DAY GIFT

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY... I just finished this
Italian Stone piece with a "Father's Day
sentiment" saying "Anyone can be a Father
but it takes someone special to be a Dad."

I wish I could give it to my Dad on Sunday!!
I love him so much & the message is how I
feel about him...
but I can't...because he passed away many yrs ago.

****This is a TRIBUTE to him & all the other
Dads out there that make time for their kids,
make each child feel special & are that
"SPECIAL KIND OF DAD" like mine was.

I was so lucky to have such a wonderful
Father! (as well as a fantastic Mother) The
memories flood back of drive-in movies & playing
on the swing with Dad before it started. Taking
"just me" out to buy something special for no
reason. Making his weekly trip to Sears &
telling me to pick out my favorite peanuts/candy
from their Candy Counter or suggesting we get
some new shoes & "lets get Mom some high heels
too. " (Always thinking of how to surprise her with
something)...Always making me feel like I was his
favorite) Little did I know the other 4 kids felt the
same way!)

My Father taught me FAITH..& how to have it when
things look grim. He always was optimistic & showed
me what "Inner Strength" was & I could do anything
I put my mind to. He was so generous to his family &
everyone he met. I remember he would have me put
the flag out to the neighborhood kids to let them know
it was time they could all come over & swim in our
pool & play volleyball. (Which we did every night!)
And mom would have some kind of special treats
for everyone.

He taught by example & he and my Mom would
call Universities @ Thanksgiving and find exchange
students that didn't have a place to go & he would
pick them up to come & have it with us. I remember an
exchange student from Ethiopia, Africa...That was
really something! We met some very interesting
people to say the least & broadened our horizons.My Dad loved my Mom & (showed it all the time)
and that was a great gift to all of us 5 kids. We saw
examples of unselfishness & compassion on a
daily basis. I look at these photos & it says it all.

They even had a "Kissing Window" from the
kitchen into the family room so while she was
making dinner he would serenade her with his music.

The Elementary school asked them, if they would
play Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus and of course they
DID & LOVED IT!

The PHOTO Above is when they were
first married...

The Photo Below is 30 yrs later..The
same "LOOK" into each others eyes.

My Father & Mother truly found the....
JOY IN THE JOURNEY OF THEIR LIFE
TOGETHER & WITH THEIR FAMILY THEY
CREATED.

I am so blessed to have had the parents I did.

I LOVE YOU BOTH & MISS YOU SO MUCH!!
Happy Father's Day, Dad!