Sunday, July 08, 2012

Happy Birthday, Dad.

On his last birthday....  five years ago he was taken to the hospital. We didn't know it then but .... he never left the hospital alive.  He knew....   he would say to me....   "I won't leave here... I am dying."  He went in the hospital on a Sunday.... his birthday ... just like today.  It's been five years...   I still relive the week....
       Michael & Dad 1986


After a full day of visiting with him in the hospital and telling him goodbye because I had to drive back to Georgia  I kept crying ... not understanding why.. the doctors and nurses reassured me he would be coming home in a few days. I planned to take care of a few things at home and then drive back down.
Dad & Lysa 2000

So on July 14th... our Wesley's 4th birthday...  within 10 minutes of arriving home I received the call that Dad died.
Dad & Wesley 2005

Five years....  wow.  I still miss him so much. When we went to Florida last weekend....  and stayed with my sister who now lives in my parents home,  I went into the garage... Dad sat in the garage, watching the cars go by, smoking, reading and listening to country music. His smell is no longer there. This is the first time I couldn't smell that old spice/smoke smell. He was my hero. The best Papa in the world. A WWII veteran.

The very last thing he said to me when I kissed him on the forehead and said goodbye....

"Hold it together.... hold it together now."

My Dad would of been 88 today....   but today we celebrate his life.... and that soon he will be with Jesus for 5 yrs!  Happy Birthday, Dad!

My Dad & Wyatt (named after dad "Emory"). A little blury~ 2006

Grace~ Teena
Posted by at

4 comments:

  1. Jill Foley11:09 AM

    What a beautiful tribute to your dad. There are some things you just never get over and I'm sure losing a parent is one of those things.

    ReplyDelete
  2. GrammyK8:45 PM

    Teena,
    Big hug sweetheart!!!! My parents are divorced and both remarried. I so miss being able to visit with both of my parents together. I haven't been able to see my dad more than a handful of times since the divorce in 2004. :-( Both of my parents are saved but not really living the Christian life. I'm so happy that you have such a Godly heritage and precious memories of your dad!!! That is priceless.

    I've been having a rough past couple of weeks as well. We lost 9 of our 12 chickes to the heat (9!!!!!), things have been rough financially (rougher than usual) and I've been missing my older children who have "shunned" us. :-( Makes me look forward to Heaven all the more.

    I hope that you feel better soon. I wish we lived closer!!!

    (((((Big Hug))))) Love, Kris

    ReplyDelete
  3. Melissa1:14 AM

    I'm sorry Teena! I know just how you feel. Praying for you my sweet friend!

    ReplyDelete
  4. South GA Mama5:20 PM

    Great memories are forever precious! :)

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)