First published June 15, 2012
ith Father’s Day only a few days away, it’s time to remember all those little things that made your Dad so special to you. My Dad has been gone 28 years (39 years as of 2023) this September and I miss him very much. I can remember him waking my sister and I up for school every morning by pulling on our legs under the covers and saying, “get up boys, Rise & Shine” (he always wanted us to be as independent as men — and we are). When I was grown and taking care of my own family, he’d asked my Mom every night when he got home from work, “Did we get any mail, did Paula call?” And of course I had.
Our daughter was his only grandchild for 10 years and she was his Number One. He’d play Barbies with her and spoiled her to death. He took her everywhere and showed her off. He’d have her sing at the VFW Christmas parties. He gave her a “George Washington” ($1) every week.
He only lived 10 months after our son was born and he would be so proud that his grandson can bone a beef and handle a knife as well as he could (Dad was a butcher). Dad was a cook in the Navy during WWII and his grandson is a chef — it’s all in the genes.
My father-in-law Bob was like a father to me, too. He was the kindest man I have ever known and such a gentleman — luckily my son got his genes too. He’s been gone 8 years now, which doesn’t seem possible.
My husband now has his first grandchild, a little girl “the Ladybug” and she means more to him than anyone in the whole wide world.
She calls him “Peepaw” and with the water pills he’s taking, that’s such an appropriate name!
He loves her so much that he just went through knee replacement surgery week before last, so he will be able to walk and dance with her. That’s what he told the doctors.
I took Ladybug to see him over the weekend at the rehab/nursing home, and she wanted him to dance — she’s ready but he’s got to learn how to walk without a walker first.
She loves the big open space at the end of his rehab room and every time she visits, she wants us all to sing “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star,” so she can spin around dancing with her arms reaching for the stars. She sings it herself too — knows all the words kinda. Ladybug is the cutest 2 1/2 year old (13 1/2 year old as of 2023) I’ve ever seen, and I’m not partial even though I am Mamaw.
Peepaw is working hard to get on his feet again, so he can take walks with his precious granddaughter — we’re planning a big family trip to Disney World a year and half from now, so he’s got a little time to get ready.
Peepaw loves being a father too. He is very close to our daughter and son and has always been kind, understanding, and so proud of them both. He’s taken to grandparenting with the same unconditional love and amazement at every new little thing the Ladybug can do.
Happy Heavenly Father’s Day Peepaw!