Random Acts of Living


Sunday, June 15, 2008

Father's Day 2008

As with most little girls, my dad has always been my hero. Here's a little of what comes to mind when I think of my father... first he was a young man, many years before even thoughts of me twinkled anywhere.
My father was a cowboy who would tell me tales of his horse and how the horse would work with him. A cowboy's horse is an asset like another set of arms or legs.
My father was/is a U.S. Marine, and being a cowboy and Marine I always thought of my dad whenever I saw John Wayne movies.
Here he is with the VMSB 343 - Marine Scout-Bomber Squadrons. He's in the back row, right of center.
Another hat that daddy wore was that of a singer. One of the family's favorite pastimes was to get together and sing, and Ohhh the harmony was glorious. Nothing will bring tears to my eyes quicker, or joy to my heart, than to hear, or even think about my dad and his brothers singing. Dad rarely went to a gathering without bringing his guitar along.
When I was small my dad was the biggest, tallest, strongest man anywhere.
Dad could do ANYTHING. He 'helped' us make wooden rubberband guns and sailboats...
...and he built heavy duty swingsets for us. This swingset was actually used to pull engines before it held swings, and it stood in my parents backyard for many years.
The years have flown by, he's not as tall or strong as used to be, but my dad still and always will be MY HERO!
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY, DAD!
Last night I went into Wichita and joined my brother's family for a Father's Day dinner with dad. Below he's sitting next to my Aunt (mom's sister) reading Father's Day cards while waiting for our table.
My brother and his granddaughter...
...one of my grandsons in the middle and my brother's two grandsons, wife and my mom.
The next two shots are two of my grandsons and their bottles of Sarsaparilla...
...they thought that was some pretty good stuff.
After a filling meal and by the light of a beautiful evening moon...
...I bid my dad Goodnight!

I Love You, DAD!

HAPPY TRAILS!!!

9 comments:

Peter said...

Hi! I'm blown away with your awesome tribute to your dad. You are, one proud daughter!

Your dad might even be John Wayne's long lost twin by the looks of things.

My father-in-law would have got on really well with your father. He was a pilot in the Australian Air Force during WW2, rode horses and had 9 (his wife did) children and loved to listen to his daughters play the piano.

Please pass on my best wishes to your father for Father's Day.

Take Care,
Peter

Psiplex said...

Thanks for sharing your Father's day celebration!

Moonshadow said...

Peter, Yes I am. I'm one lucky child to have two wonderful parents.

I'll certainly pass on your best wishes. Thank You!

psiplex - My pleasure. Thanks for stopping by so I could share. : )

Alice said...

Thank you for allowing us to meet your wonderful father. In the last photo, he looks as handsome and vibrant as in the first one. My favorite one though is of your dad on his horse. Your dad is a shining example of "the greatest generation."

Heidijayhawk said...

what a sweet post. thank you for taking us along his journey!

Moonshadow said...

Alice - I agree with you about dad being a shining example of "the greatest generation." Which is why he's my Hero!

Moonshadow said...

Heidi - It's my pleasure to tell about my dad. I've always enjoyed introducing people to him. Thanks for stopping by!

Lori said...

This is beautiful, sweet, touching. We have similar pictures of our dads as young men. I also like the photograph of him on his horse. How wonderful to share this close bond...how wonderful for us both to have such fathers to love.

Moonshadow said...

Thanks, Anita.

Lori - When I saw YOUR post I thought the same thing, that our posts about our father's started out with similar photos. We certainly ARE blest.