About two years ago my Dad passed away. It was a difficult time for me because we spent a lot of time together and he was sick the last couple of years. I was worried about the memories my kids would have of my Dad.
My memories of my dad include him spending time with me, teaching us and supporting us. My Dad was a great hunter and fisherman and I am sure he was looking forward to having some boys. I can imagine after a beautiful daughter (my sister), he was looking forward to the birth of his second child. I can envision him thinking, surely that would be a boy, after all, I am a great hunter and fisherman. Imagine his thoughts when I showed up! If he was even slightly disappointed, he never showed it.
What he did do, was teach his daughters how to hunt, fish, have a sense of humor, support and encourage each other. When I was younger I competed in gymnastics, I was learning a new move on the uneven bars and I was scared. I was having a difficult time building up the courage to try it. About that time I looked over to the side and saw my Dad, he was at my practice watching me. That may not seem like such a big deal, but my parents had just told me they were divorcing and my Dad had moved out. He wanted to reassure me that he was around. It made a big impact for me to see him there. I knew that he stopped by on his way home from work to watch me. That was all it took, I looked over at him, he smiled and waved, and I did it! I accomplished the new move and my Dad saw me! I am not sure what an impact it made on me at the time, but it is one of my favorite memories of my Dad.
I wasn't sure what impact he had made on my children since they were 5 and 7. My Dad worked the morning shift as a Marshall at a golf course before he got sick. He would stop by after work a couple of times a week, with donuts for the kids. When the kids got home, he would greet them with his treat! After they finished their homework, he would play video games (or at least try to). He would listen to them read or read to them. One time, he even let my daughter put several bead necklaces on him and comb what little hair he had left. She loved it and because of that, he didn't seem to mind looking as silly as he did. We took a picture that day and it is one of Taylor's favorite pictures of my Dad.
He certainly made an impact on me as an adult. He taught me to enjoy my kids when I was with them. To introduce the things I love to them, but also spend time doing the things they love. I am blessed to have memories of a great man, my dad!
If you want to know the impact he left on my daughter, look for my next entry; Taylor writes about her Grandaddy!
Cammie Moise