My Dad

       Daddy was born in 1903 and had 2 sisters and 4 brothers. 
He parents were German Dutch and he was raised in 
a strict house. He joined the Army Engineers and got his
toes cut off and got discharged.
He got married and had two children and then fate took 
his wife and left him with two children to raise himself.
And then he met my mother - fell in love and got married.
I remember growing up, he always wanted to be a fireman.
He use to beat those guys to the fires. But there was a quota
and he never got to join. But that didn't stop him from going 
and he would drag me along. 
My dad was a plumber (the best) and I use to go out
on jobs with him. He taught me alot about plumbing
how to clean an oil burner, change a spigot but I don't
remember how now.(That's cause I never had to -
I would just call daddy & he'd come fix it.)
My dad and I use to sit and listen to the radio at night.
Mom would be crocheting and we would listen to
"The Squeaking Door" and" The Shadow"
(Now I'm telling my age)
My dad and I had alot of disagreements when I was
a teenager. But he was always there for me.
He never told me he loved me - but I can
remember my prom night- I got stood up and my dad
with tears in his eyes offered to put on a suit and take me.
I said no -  but I knew he loved me.
(He hated dressing up)
My dad was my Rock! He was my Security.
He was there for me no matter what.
I think he would have move Heaven and Earth for me.
We became very close when I was in my twenties.
We would sit at the kitchen table for hours and he would
tell me stories of his growing up.
He bought me my first car. (I never did get it paid back)
He forgot to tell me to put oil and water in it.
I threw the bearing 50 miles from home & guess who 
I called? Yep - and he came with a big log chain
and towed me all the way home. 
I remember I had a mouse in my house and I called him
He came running - & I was on the counter with a 
broom . He just shook his head and laughed.
He was my kids Pop Pop although he practically
raised them. He lived for his family.
My dad never had a social life. He worked hard and
 alot of hours and the time he had was with his family.
He was a hunter. He was a happy camper when deer season came.
I use to go too. He bought me a gun (a 4-10) and I would go 
hunting with him. He also gave me his old hunting suit. 
The only time I could have shot one I wouldn't. I never
would have shot a deer - I just wanted to go with him. 
He got several. The one I have in my living room -
 he got in 1933.
He use to say he got it the same year as my mother and 
the one on the wall never talked back. 
I use to laugh - at Christmas, mom would put a 
red ball on its nose and he would get so mad.
She did it just cause she knew he'd have a fit.
Then she would laugh.
Daddy loved my mother. He took care of her all through
her illness. I could never understand his patience
He really stood by her through all of it.
Then when she got sick - and had the heart attack
he insisted he wanted to be with her. 
So I got them a private room together and
fixed it up with their stuff so it was kinda like home.
He only lived another year and was diagnosed with
lung cancer. He died at 87. I had a military
funeral for him and it took me 10 years to cry.
I missed him so much. And I still do.
The night he died. He sang "Let me call you sweetheart"
to my mom. and then he sang
 "When the roll is called up yonder"
He is in Heaven and I will see him again.
Love You Daddy!





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