Dad's Memorial Page

This is my Dad and my Grandma. He passed away just over a year ago from cancer. It came on him suddenly, and before we all knew it, he was gone from us. This was so hard for me to deal with and, still today, I sometimes find myself in tears... but, he too has gone to a better place.... and I pray to see him again someday.
Dad's passion was in many things. Fishing, camping, wrestling. We used to go camping in the summers and the memories I have are still so vivid of those times. Sometimes I find myself just sitting here and grinning as I think of some of the things that he would pull on us then. I find myself pulling some of the pranks on my own kids from time to time too! LOL
Dad was FANATIC about wrestling, and his all time favorite was Dick the Bruiser. If there was a "wrastlin'" match on the TV, then you can be sure that is where Dad would be.. didn't matter what else he was doing at the time, if it was an "important" match, he was there. He often attended live matches as well, when he could get there. He enjoyed taking us kids along sometimes too.. but we all learned one thing: DO NOT expect an answer from Dad during a match... he would be so focused on the match that he just could NOT hear you! LOL The following pic is for you, Dad....

Dick the Bruiser
As I mentioned on my Mother's page, some of the things that our parents' did and said DO seem to be a part of how we raise our kids. Many times I quote my Dad to them and other's actually. He had so many different expressions.... my fav is one that is used in the mornings to get people up.... "raise and shine all you sleepy heads... it's a beeeeeaaaauuuuttttiiiiffuuullll morning!!" Invariably we were woken up with Dad shouting this up the stairs or through the tent walls!!
I would like to pass on his sense of humor, and the caring that he possessed, even if he didn't like to show it... it embarassed him I believe. He would bluster and complain about things... but if you looked a bit closer... you could see the twinkle and mabbe, if you were lucky... a small twitch of a smile in the corner of his mouth. I really really miss my Dad.....

When Tomorrow Starts Without Me
When Tomorrow Starts Without Me And I'm not there to see, If the sun should rise and find your eyes All filled with tears for me; I wish so much you wouldn't cry The way you did today, While thinking of many things, We didn't get to say I know how much you love me As much as I love you And each time that you think of me I know you'll miss me too
But When Tomorrow Starts Without Me Please try to understand That an angel came and called my name And took me by the hand And said my place was ready In Heaven far above And that I'd have to leave behind All those I dearly love
But as I turned to walk away A tear fell from my eye For all my life, I'd always thought I didn't want to die I had so much to live for So much yet to do It seemed almost impossible That I was leaving you
I thought of all the yesterdays All the good and the bad I thought of all the love we shared And all the fun we had
If I could relive yesterday Just even for awhile I'd say goodbye and kiss you And maybe see you smile But then I fully realized That this could never be For emptiness and memories Would take the place of me
And when I thought of worldy things I might miss come tomorrow I thought of you and when I did My heart filled with sorrow
But when I walked thru Heavens gates I felt so much at home When God looked down and smiled at me From His golden throne He said: "This is eternity And all I've promised you Today for life on earth is past But here it starts anew I promise no tomorrow But today will always last And since each day's the same way There's no longing for the past
But you have been so faithful So trusting and true Though there were some times you did some things You knew you shouldn't do But you have been forgiven And now at last you're free So won't you take my hand And share my life with me?"
Author Unknown