Friday, December 23, 2011

FRIDAY BLUES

First and foremost, I want to thank all of you. Friends, family, and all of you out there who follow this little blog. I want to wish each and every one of you a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!

This holiday season, hold your loved one's close to you, and give them an extra hug and a kiss. Let them all know how much they mean to you this Christmas.

My Dad passed this morning. I'm going to be away from blogging for a bit. I wish that a lot of you could have known my Dad. I know that he would of fit right in with us bloggers.

He enjoyed a good story and to laugh, even at himself. He had a love of the outdoors like no one I have ever seen. He could catch fish, and hunt, camp. He loved to set in front of a nice campfire. He got his first deer when he was 16, and his first elk when he was 18. He also got his first and only bear when he was 17. I got my first elk when I was 16, and my first deer when I was 17. I never have been bear hunting.

My Dad served 13 years in the Air Force, then he got out because he had two kids to take care of. After my sister and I were in high school, he joined the Air Guard. Then after I was out of high school, he and Mom bought a place in Arkansas. They didn't have a Air National Guard there, but they did have a National Army Guard. So, he transferred to them. He worked in supply and took biochemical and nuclear warfare classes. He almost went in Desert Storm. He did his time in the guard and ended up doing 23 years total. He enjoyed every minute. The stories he had to tell!

Things won't be the same now that he is gone. He will be missed by so many, remembered by so many. And life will continue. The sun will rise and set. The seasons will keep going by. And he will be remembered.

He loved to dance. He loved animals. He was strong in his faith. He was someone you could talk to. And he was always ready to lend a hand to anyone. He loved to talk of firearms, and could answer just about anything you could think to ask about them. He was a jack of all trades, and a master of none. He could fix just about anything. He could be hard on you when you needed it. And Stern. But could cry for a little kitten that didn't make it, or a bird with a busted wing. Or to kiss away the boo boo of a child.

The outdoors will be just a bit more peaceful for me from now on. I won't be able to look at a deer, elk, mountain, or stream, or beaver pond and not think of him. He is now free to do his wandering in the hills of the hereafter.

He was a husband, a grandfather, a great grandfather, an uncle, a brother, a gardener, a hunter, a fisherman.

He was my Dad.

10 comments:

  1. I am truly sorry for your loss. My grandfather also passed on this day 39 years ago. You'll be in my thoughts and prayers.

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  2. May God bring blessings to your family this weekend. I am sorry for your lose and the passing of another American Hero. Take Care.

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  3. Your dad sounds like a wonderful man.I'm sure I would have been proud to have met him.
    This time of year it's hard not to get those "Friday Blues" now and again. Memories tend to come up at us out of seemingly thin air during the holidays. It's funny, I woke up this morning thinking about my Papa and couldn't go back to sleep. He's been gone now 10 years yesterday and the love I feel is no less real than it was then. They are always with us in our hearts.
    Merry Christmas to you and yours from me and mine!!! I hope you make new memories this holiday season. As you know, they can last a lifetime. God Bless

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  4. I'm sorry about your dad. We lost my papaw unexpectedly this year. He loved Christmas more than anyone I've ever known. Just doesn't seem the same without him. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

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  5. I just dropped in to say Merry Christmas and saw the news. I am truly sorry for your loss and wish only the best for you and your family. Keep telling stories about your Dad and he will always be there. I will say a little something extra tonight for him. Take care, friend.

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  6. My condolences. It sounds like he was a wonderful man. Merry Christmas and may your family have warmth and love this season.

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  7. Flier - i wish your Dad was my Dad! he sounds like he was an awesome man, an awesome patriot and he left some awesome children behind! Flier, you have all of your Dad's gifts...except maybe the dancing - bahahahah!

    i really appreciate how you honoured him in this post. it's gonna suck not having him "physically" around...but he's always going to be there...in your heart and your memories. and all of the crazy stories you have told about him.

    so i have one tiny request - tell us more stories about him. nobody tells a story like you, except maybe your Dad. so tell us all of the stories as i am sure there are a ton of doozies!

    i am sorry for your loss, my friend. very, very sorry.

    i also wanted to tell you how nice it has been getting to know you and Kathi over the last few months - it has been really nice.

    your friend,
    kymber

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  8. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family on this dad day. I am so sorry for your lose.

    okfever

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  9. I am so sorry to read about your loss. My thoughts are with you and your family. I will definitely be giving my Dad an extra hug tonight when I see him.

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