Saturday, October 14, 2017
A TRIBUTE TO MY FATHER-
I'd like to thank everyone for coming to pay their respects to my father and our family. Your love and support have been a tremendous source of comfort to us during such a difficult time.
I was so very fortunate to be raised by 2 simply wonderful people, my father Jack, and my mother Rose. When I was a child, they were my source of strength, love, encouragement, security, and still are to this day. They taught me the right life lessons, to be kind and well mannered, to know the difference between right and wrong, and that it was okay to show your emotions...which I guess I exceeded in that department so I will try my hardest to keep my emotions in check right now, but for those of you who know me, that's going to be very difficult.
Even though my Pop had a much different demeanor than my Mom, it provided a perfect balance. In spite of their differences, they had the same common denominator, which was that they always had their children's best interest at heart.
My Pop never asked for much. He was a kind and gentle man who was always ready and willing to pitch in and help anyone, at any time, in any way he could. As most of you know, he loved being around people and sharing stories. He came from a generation of respectability, integrity and appreciation of the simple things life offered, and to do right by people. This was well demonstrated when after both of his parents had passed away within 3 months of each other, he, along with his bride Rose, of only 10 months, took his younger sister Aggie (who was born with Down's Syndrome), to live with him and my mom, and did so until Aggie's passing at age 64. That example alone speaks about just what a stand up guy he was.
He wasn't materialistic or self centered. He was a good man, a loving husband, a wonderful father, and a great friend. As his daughter, we shared a special bond which strengthened when he began having medical difficulties. The roles were now reversed. The wonderful father who took care of me now relied on me for help, which I was more than willing to give.
I became his personal full time caretaker, and he was such a good patient! Even though he felt like he was a burden to me, nothing could have been absolutely further from the truth. Whenever he started talking like that, I always asked him, "Pop, do you know why I do this?" And his response was always the same. "Because you love me".
He got it. He understood. I was paying it forward fro the life he had provided for me. And yes, much to my mother's chagrin, I spoiled the hell out of him, but why not? Who was more deserving of that than him? And I would do it again in a heartbeat, without hesitation. Simply put, he was the best of the best.
I love him and miss him tremendously. There's no more morning coffee while guessing celebrity birthdays from the newspaper, or watching his face light up when he saw what culinary delights I prepared for lunch and dinner, or sitting with him to watch his beloved Rachel from the "Price is Right", and "Judge Judy", or talking politics (although I guess Aunt Chickie is bending his ear backward and forward about that by now!), or listening to stories about his childhood, or simply just being in his company.
I take comfort in the fact that nothing that is loved is ever lost, and no one who has ever touched a heart can really pass away, because some beauty lingers on in each memory of which they've been a part.
I love you Pop, and miss you so much already. I will forever remember all our special times together. I will speak your name and recall those time often. You were and you are my heart. I am so very sorry that I couldn't fix you this time. I am so very grateful to God that you were my father, and that you lived such a long, full and happy life. I am grateful that God showed you mercy and took you back home quickly so you could be reunited with your family and friends who have gone before you.
Until we are reunited, please watch over us and know that your life has made it's mark, and that nothing, not even death, can break the strong, special bond that this daughter shared with her father.
Please help to honor my Dad by performing a daily act of kindness. It's so simple to do. Hold open a door for someone, pay a compliment, phone or text someone to see how they're doing, just treat people the way you would want to be treated. These are the things he wanted, for some civility to return to this generation. Practice this for my Dad.
At this time, I'd like you to join me in the Lord's Prayer: OUR FATHER, WHO ART IN HEAVEN, HALLOWED BE THY NAME. THY KINGDOM COME, THY WILL BE DONE, ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN. GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD, AND FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES, AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US. AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION, BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL, FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM, AND THE POWER, AND THE GLORY, FOR EVER AND EVER, AMEN.
