December 17, 2012

~A Beautiful Memory Again ~


I wrote a Christmas letter to my Dad a few years ago and published it on my blog.. I had so many comments and emails from it.. some said it helped them to try and be a better father. I hope so . I'll post it again for this Christmas Season. It's a small part of my relationship with my Dad.. He left me in June 1997 and as I like to say I've tied the memories in a bow, put them aside but never forgot. For the most part, I write it as a tribute to him but your certainly welcome to read it. BJ
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~ The Christmas Letter ~ from 2010

Although I've thought of my Dad often in the past thirteen years...its this week that I've missed him most, so I write this to you Dad.

When I was a little girl you took me everywhere with you, deep sea fishing off the coast of New Jersey, and were always so proud that your daughter never got sick no matter how rough the ocean would be. You brought me to NYC to see everything from the Empire State Building, Radio City Christmas Show, the Statue of Liberty, and when we went to Coney Island and ride that Cyclone roller coaster with me over and over . You never said no.
You taught me how to ride a bike, fly a kite, build a snowman,  and made me that real little house in the backyard. I put curtains on the windows.

You taught me my love for animals and all living things.. We took care of injured wild birds and rabbits, you'd make a box for them and if I cried when they didn't make it, you'd say " Barbra , you can't save all of them, you just do what you can". I still do .
On Sunday mornings you'd drive out to that little airport and we'd watch the planes take off and land..

One Sunday you managed to get a pilot to take me up for a ride in a small plane. And when Mom found out she had a fit. !
We'd hike in the woods and go target shooting. I'd get poison ivy every time.
You'd take me to the christening of the new big ships at the shipyard when you still worked there.
We'd go to your welding shop on Saturdays and you showed me how to weld. Then taught me to drive my first car and bought a red convertible because I liked it.. And Mom had another fit !!

You were the first one I saw when I woke up in the hospital .. more than once.
I thought you had the strength of 10 men, you could do anything and make everything alright. I remember the night we lost Louis, you looked right at me and said,
" This is the ONE thing I can't do for you". And I knew you were right because you never lied to me. .
I learned so much from you Dad. Any good that I am it was from you.. and the not so good ... you were still there for me every single time.

Every Christmas you and I would go and get the tree.
I'd bother you for weeks ahead of time.. I was good at that !... finally you'd say 'ok, time to go and get the tree,' and then with all the patience in the world you'd help me decorate it.

I remembered something new this year, the time my new kitten went behind the kitchen stove and you spent hours taking it apart to get him out.. oh, all the kittens I brought home and said 'they just followed me" and you let me keep them..
This time of year brings back lots of those memories, and I haven't forgotten a single one .

If I were given just one wish for Christmas, I would ask that every little girl be blessed with a Dad like I had. What a beautiful world this would be.
Merry Christmas again Dad
from your daughter Barbra Joan




17 comments:

  1. What a Great Dad, Barbra! and such a loving daughter! and what a nice relationship! and such a great photo! Merry Christmas!

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  2. Dear Barbra - this is truly beautiful - touches my heart and the picture of the two of you is wonderful too. Bless you for sharing. Have a lovely day - always hugs Debbie

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  3. I remember the letter and it is still as moving as when I read it the first time. I still miss my Dad. Merry Christmas, BJ!

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  4. This is so very beautiful BJ. What a wonderful relationship. He was blessed to have you and you him. You look marvelous! extra marvelous. love,Diana :)

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  5. Dear BJ, I remember when you wrote about your dad and I also miss mine. I know what you feel. Wish you all the best for Christmas! xx

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  6. Your beauty comes from your dad, methinks. I love when you share this letter, my friend.

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  7. Wow..so sweet relationship of father and daughter

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  8. So much feelings , emotions and memories go into this writing.. Some I love to remember, some are extremely difficult. Reading it back to myself opens the wound of losing my son, and my Dads words were so hard to take.
    The good memories outweigh the hard ones, and that's what I count on. I have to... BJ

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  9. A lovely heart-warming letter BJ that moves me every time I read it. You were lucky to have such a great father but I also think he was lucky to have you. Merry Christmas.

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  10. Such an intimate post between you and your Dad..and you shared it with us..thank you! It makes me think of my Dad who I lost 2 years ago..it seems like a lifetime ago...because we miss them everyday! I didn't know you lost your son..I am so sorry!!. Also, a beautiful photo of you and your Dad.

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  11. well thank you John, I hope he would think that.
    old memories, old photo, probably 30 years ago. We were at a family wedding. BJ

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  12. I remember the first time you posted and I was so moved - as I am now.
    I'm so glad that you have such treasured memories.
    Before I go - I just want to comment on how beautiful you are. Like a film star!

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  13. Sandra , thanks, you are too kind. this photo was taken years ago. Time has changed things as it usually does.. BJ

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  14. THank you. and Wow what a beautiful lady.

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  15. BJ, what a wonderful tribute to your dad. He would be very proud of you. Thank you for sharing your memories. My dad passed 23 years ago on Dec. 18th. He was also a wonderful man.

    Merry Christmas to you and your family.

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  16. Sight! What a lovely letter to a lovely dad Barbra. It has so much feelings in it. Every dad could wish to have a daughter like you, having so much nice memories. How kind of you to share it with us. I enjoyed it very much:)xxx

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