My Father | The Beauty Around Us

My Parents’ Wedding Day

My parents were married on June 7, 1952. Mom’s sisters, Eleanor (“Sis”) and Gladys, and Dad’s niece, Connie, were in my parents’ wedding. Aunt Sis was Mom’s maid-of-honor, and Aunt Gladys was one of two bridesmaids. My cousin, Connie, was the flower girl.

Beautiful Bride

According to the wedding announcement in the local newspaper, Mom wore “a gown of white marquisette over satin with cathedral train. Lace trim around the waist was extended down the front in apron form, and matching lace around the shoulders gave an off-shoulder effect. She carried an orchid mounted on a white Bible.”

Mom was a beautiful bride.
Mom remained beautiful, both inside and outside, her entire life.

My parents on their Wedding Day

Both of my parents are deceased. Dad passed away in February 2004; Mom passed away in November 2007. If they were still alive, Mom and Dad would be celebrating their 61st wedding anniversary today. I know their marriage had its ups and downs, but Mom and Dad stuck it out. They believed that marriage was for life.

Remembering Dad

Dad passed away 9 years ago today, at the age of 74. Dad was less than a month away from his 75th birthday. This morning I pored through photographs from years past. While looking through the photographs, I recaptured memories of days gone by. I remembered Dad with smiles not tears.

Please click on photograph to enlarge.

This photograph was taken in June 2003 at a family reunion. As Bob and I were getting ready to leave, I asked him to take a picture of my family. I am so thankful that I have this photograph. This is the last photograph I have of Dad, Mom, my brother, Jim, and I.

Don’t think of him as gone away
his journey’s just begun
life holds so many facets
this earth is only one.

Just think of him as resting
from the sorrows and the tears
in a place of warmth and comfort
where there are no days and years.

Think how he must be wishing
that we could know today
how nothing but our sadness
can really pass away.

And think of him as living
in the hearts of those he touched
for nothing loved is ever lost
and he was loved so much.

-Author Unknown

Happy Birthday, Dad

Had he not passed away 6 years ago, today would have been Dad’s 81st birthday. Last night, as I was falling asleep, my last thought was tomorrow is Dad’s birthday. When I awakened this morning my first thought was today is Dad’s birthday. I miss you every day, Dad, but I miss you today so much more. Happy birthday, Dad! I love you!