Friday, July 21, 2006

D is for Dad...

D is for Dad, my wonderful Dad, who peacefully passed away last Thursday evening, two hours before I was able to get there (to St. Paul Minnesota, where my parents and two brothers live).

Dad & Robin (I'm about 13 years old in this picture)


K is for kind and patient, which he always was with his five children. Yet he was not "soft," for he held us to high standards, both by his example and by his requirements of us.

H is for honest. I've never known a more honest and trustworthy person than my Dad

U is for unpretentious. Though he was a Phi Beta Kappa, PhD graduate of Stanford University, and a distinguished Professor at the University of MN for 37 years, he lived simply and modestly.

H is for his sense of humor and ready chuckle, the way he always made up funny words and songs, the way his spontaneous and contagious laugh would send adults and children into giggles and guffaws.

E is for even-tempered. Dad was a get along type of guy, optimistic, with a sunny disposition.

F is for friend. As I matured, our father-daughter relationship faded and morphed into a deep friendship, which flourished as Mom's hearing began to fail and finally was lost. Dad and I talked on the phone frequently, sometimes daily, often with long discussions on many diverse topics. I cannot imagine what it will be like not to have these telephone conversations any more.

L is for lost. This is how I feel at the moment.

L is also for love. Our love is with him and surrounds him, wherever he is... and his love is with us and surrounds us, wherever we are.

M is for how much I miss him... more than I can express.

Dad & Robin ~ About 50 years later (September, 2004)


T is for thank you. Thank you for the kind thoughts and wishes many of you posted to comments a week ago. They were a support and comfort to me.

13 comments:

  1. Dear Robin,
    There are never the right words when someone loses a loved one -- so I won't even try. Just know that your friends (some old and some new, like me) are with you and send special loving thoughts your way. Remember all the wonderful years and memories you have of time with your Dad --
    With loving thoughts,
    Jackie Y/IL

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  2. So, so sorry. Nothing can prepare you for the loss of a parent. You know that one day it must happen, but it doesn't help. It will get better, and you will have wonderful memories. Nothing I say can make it better just now.

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  3. Robin, thank you for letting us know what has happened. Our thoughts and prayers have been with you since you left for Minnesota.
    I love seeing the pictures of you with your father, love hearing about what a beautiful relationship you two have (for it has not ended, not in the least...)As you can imagine, thinking about that gives me profound joy.
    Take lots of walks...
    Shed many tears...and smile at your husband through them.....we're smiling at you through them, too.

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  4. Anonymous5:32 PM

    Dear Robin:
    For all the pleasure and joy you have given so many of us through your talent and giving of yourself, we send you comfort and peace in your grief.
    Sending positive thoughts and strength in abundance.....

    Warmest regards,
    LĂ©onie Hartley-Hoover
    Canadian Embroiderers'Guild

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  5. I'm so sorry for your loss. It sounds like you have many wonderful memories of your father and I'm sure that makes his passing especially hard. My thoughts are with you.

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  6. Dear Robin,
    Thank you for visiting me and for your kind words. I'm sorry to visit you at what must be a very difficult time in your life. Please accept my most sincere sympathies on the loss of your beloved father.
    I'll be back to visit you again..
    Sue

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  7. Oh, Robin, I am so sorry. There isn't anything to say that will make you feel better but just know that I'm thinking of you and sending all my best thoughts your way.

    The photos are lovely. Thank you for sharing those with us. Your dad sounds like a great father.

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  8. I am sorry that you didn't get there in time.....but things happen for a reason. It sounds like you had a wonderful childhood with a daddy that loved you very much. The memories go on forever...believe me, my dad has been dead since I was 25 and he is still ever present in my mind 38 yrs. later. I wish there was something I could say that would ease your pain......but that isn't possible. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Linda

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  9. Blessings to your family as you heal through grieving. Take care of you.....and rejoice in your memories.

    Fondly,
    Dana in Texas

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  10. Dear Robin,
    Thank you for sharing your lovely Dad with us. Rest in the tender/strong gossamer threads of love that hold your family all embraced at this time. My heart has a soft place where your sorrow is shared.
    love, Vicki

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  11. 'We are no more than candles buring in the wind.'

    ~Japanese proverb

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  12. Thank you for your kind words and support. As someone who only recently joined the blogging community, this was an unexpected blessing.

    To those of you who wrote privately about the loss of your parent or parents, your reflections gave me a great deal of comfort, for they were windows in the darkness of grief. Thank you.

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  13. We lost my husband's father this time last year, so I send you love and good wishes and sorrow for your loss. I'm glad he passed peacefully, as happened in our case too.

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Thanks you for joining the discussion on this post today!