Monthly Archives: June 2011

Jun18

FATHER’S DAY MEMORIES….

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 I lost my Dad  some 17 years ago on a cold, snowy, January 1st. Things here have sure changed in the past  years. Mom was forced into being the head of the house.That was pretty shocking to her, since they had been married 50 years and he had always handled just about everything there was about our life. Mom had no idea what she was in for..it took many people to set her straight as to just what all DAD handled. 

Dad drove..Mom didn’t.. she was “old fashioned” I guess..so now she depended on others to get her around.He handled the car repairs and the bill paying..in cash always..if he could.. DAD did all the repairs, handled all the household chores that were too big for her..like painting the house and snowblowing and grass mowing. It is typical of the “Southern Way” Mom said. The MAN handles everything and the woman raises the children and tends to the cooking and household duties.

Mom and Dad both were raised in Tennessee.  They moved to Michigan to find work when they married and she was 19 and he was 25. Dad worked hard in many jobs until he started at the
job he held for over 45 years. It was very hot, dirty and long hours. He would climb up a large tower every day with at least 40 steps, many times a day, to help set molds and mix sand for molds for hot iron to be molded into car parts. He took us kids on a tour one time to show us where he worked and how the iron was poured. I was shocked at how dark and hot and dirty it really was. I had more admiration for his stamina after that visit than I had ever had before. I learned to be on time and not miss any days of work from my Dad’s example, I also learned to finish the job and not let it just be someone else’s responsibility. Dad taught me to paint houses ..his way..the right way…oil base and lots of it! He taught me how to check things on my car and would quiz me on car parts so that I would be knowledgeable around a mechanic. He taught good maintenance on all our lawn equipment and the ins and outs of fixing the small things around the house.
He also taught me to respect other people and that your word is
your bond and to treat others like you would like to be treated.
These things I carry with me…everyday…. this year when mom passed away, someone said to me,
“well I bet your Dad and Mom will be very happy now that they are together again.” I tend to agree with them. It gives me comfort to know they are together, watching over us. 
 
 DAD …WE MISS YOU EVERY DAY !!! 
 
 
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Jun14

VIEW FROM A WINDOW..

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Here is a view looking out my kitchen window..

 It’s a door no longer used from one of the oldest churches in town. The building was sold and a new church built..larger and more modern..but lacks the character of the older one. Storage space right now is all it’s used for, I hope they never tear it down as it is a real treasure and landmark. People are led to certain areas of town by giving it as a bearing to which side of town to travel. I am sure glad I have a kitchen window in the new place, at least you get to have light and a view..some places don’t have that. Guess I got lucky, it could have been a lot worse..a whole building of dorm rooms and oodles of college students.  ;-)