9 years ago today, my father passed away. it is so hard to believe how fast time has gone. and how much has happened since he lived. i got married...lived in TX for a while...moved across the country to CA...had 2 kids...and have had countless ups and downs during those years. and very often, it breaks my heart to know that he never knew me as a married woman...a working woman...a mom. he never saw me mature into the person i am today. i like to believe that someday, i will be able to tell him all about it.
many of you knew my dad. but, for those who didn't, you need to know that he was a man filled to the brim with love. love for the Lord, love for his work as a doctor, love for his friends and community, love for his church, love for sports (even when those cleveland teams would break his heart), love for physical activity. but, most importantly, love for his wife and his kids. we always came first.
He was... the dad who became coach of our softball teams and would cheer til his voice cracked. the dad who drove late at night to pick me up at my first sleepover, because i was homesick. the dad who drove me and my girlfriends to go teepee-ing in the middle of the night. the dad who built us the best treehouse in the neighborhood. the dad who got baptized with me in the dominican republic. the dad who taught me how to drive a stickshift. the dad who took us to countless cleveland indians game and stayed til the very last out. the dad who built the most beautiful barbie dreamhouse with his own two hands. the dad who handed me my highschool diploma. the dad who taught me how to love Christ.
i was so blessed to be given 22 years with my dad. i have to admit, though... i do get angry that it wasn't more. and if i could, i would go back in time and tell myself at 13 years old...15...16 - don't be a brat! talk to your dad, love him, spend more time with him. but, i truly hope he knew how much i did love him. i miss you, dad. i'm blessed that your legacy and your memory, including your hugs, your laugh, your presence will live on.
many of you knew my dad. but, for those who didn't, you need to know that he was a man filled to the brim with love. love for the Lord, love for his work as a doctor, love for his friends and community, love for his church, love for sports (even when those cleveland teams would break his heart), love for physical activity. but, most importantly, love for his wife and his kids. we always came first.
He was... the dad who became coach of our softball teams and would cheer til his voice cracked. the dad who drove late at night to pick me up at my first sleepover, because i was homesick. the dad who drove me and my girlfriends to go teepee-ing in the middle of the night. the dad who built us the best treehouse in the neighborhood. the dad who got baptized with me in the dominican republic. the dad who taught me how to drive a stickshift. the dad who took us to countless cleveland indians game and stayed til the very last out. the dad who built the most beautiful barbie dreamhouse with his own two hands. the dad who handed me my highschool diploma. the dad who taught me how to love Christ.
i was so blessed to be given 22 years with my dad. i have to admit, though... i do get angry that it wasn't more. and if i could, i would go back in time and tell myself at 13 years old...15...16 - don't be a brat! talk to your dad, love him, spend more time with him. but, i truly hope he knew how much i did love him. i miss you, dad. i'm blessed that your legacy and your memory, including your hugs, your laugh, your presence will live on.
4 comments:
That was so beautiful Erin...my heart aches for you but I have always so respected how you and your sisters and Mom have handled it all. I'm sure your Dad is swelling with pride for each of you. Love to you and praying especially for you as you remember him today.
I agree with Heidi..that was beautifully written. I'm sure he would be so proud of the person you've become.
thinking of you erin. beautiful post. he was an extraordinary man who most definitely would have been proud of you!
couldn't agree more with you girls...such a beautiful, heart-felt, honest tribute. i didn't have the privilege of knowing him personally, but Dave speaks so highly of him. i look forward to meeting him someday. thinking of you and your family...
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