My Dad...My Hero...

Dad, on the far left...as a young soldier...


In his Army uniform...so handsome...

Opening his favorite annual Christmas gift...peanut M & M's!!!...

Simply...DAD...


Today is my dad's birthday. He passed away almost two years ago and not a day goes by that I don't think of him. I miss him so much.

I have a lot of different memories about Dad. One, in particular, is depicted in the photo below. When I was entering second grade, we had to move to another city. Mom and I drove there to meet up with Dad, where he'd been working, before everything became finalized. We pulled into the Holiday Inn where we'd be staying and I, immediately, noticed this sign. Dad had asked the hotel staff to put my name on it, welcoming us to our new home. I thought it was so neat! I felt almost like a movie star! It's something I'll always remember.

Each time I got sick, Dad would be by my bedside with a moist washcloth to lay across my forehead. He'd take a peeled apple and scrape it with a spoon and feed me his "homemade applesauce". It was so good and just what I needed to start feeling better. He always worried himself sick, literally, whenever I wasn't feeling well.

As I grew older, Dad became very protective of me, as fathers should be with their daughters. Of course, being a teenager who knew it all, it often annoyed me. I can't count the times I'd go out on a date only to come home to find him waiting up for me. It drove me completely crazy...BUT, now that I have a teenage daughter...I understand! Sure makes you see things in a different light when you're the parent. He always expected my boyfriends to treat me with the utmost respect and, if they didn't, they'd have him to answer to. He ran a few of them off a time or two!

Dad always instilled in me a deep love for my country. This was primarily due to the fact that he served in the Merchant Marines and in the Army. We took a trip to Washington, DC once and Dad was completely enamored with the history there. It was exciting to see everything through his eyes. It's because of Dad's strong patriotism that I get a lump in my throat whenever I see a soldier in uniform, or hear the National Anthem being sung.

Dad believed in the importance of a good education. Though he never went to college, he worked very hard to give my brothers and I that opportunity. I wanted to earn a college degree to make him proud, and I think I succeeded. However, I think Dad was especially proud when I became a mother. He loved being a grandparent to his four grandsons, two granddaughters, and one great granddaughter. He relished in watching them grow and mature, and seized every opportunity to brag about them and their accomplishments.

Dad never passed up the opportunity to have a good belly laugh. He had a wonderful sense of humor, which always made it so much fun to be around him. He'd laugh and cackle every year we'd give him the same "favorite" Christmas gift...a 2 lb. bag of peanut M & M's. Like me, he was a chocoholic and could consume a huge bag of M & M's in no time flat! Also, we was very well-read and loved watching Fox News. He could argue anyone under the table about politics. I watched his brothers and sisters engage in political debates many times over the years and Dad never backed down from his beliefs. He taught me how to be a strong person and to always stand up for what I felt was right.

So, on this day, I count myself incredibly fortunate to have had Dad in my life. Pop, I love you with all my heart and I miss you more than you know. Thank you for all the sacrifices you made to ensure that I would have a good life. You were an honorable man, and a loving husband, father, and grandfather. I'm proud to have been your "little girl". The lessons you taught me will never be forgotten. Happy Birthday...I love you!!!

Here's a poem I'd like to share. If you never lost a loved one, it really makes you think. If you have lost someone very close to you, it makes you think even more...

Tomorrow Never Comes

If I knew it would be the last time that I'd see you fall asleep,

I'd tuck you in more tightly, and pray the Lord your soul to keep.

If I knew it would be the last time that I'd see you walk out the door,

I would give you a hug and kiss, and call you back for just one more.

If I knew it would be the last time I'd hear your voice lifted up in praise,

I would tape each word and action, and play them back throughout my days.

If I knew it would be the last time, I would spare an extra minute or two,

To stop and say, "I love you," instead of assuming you know I do.

So just in case tomorrow never comes, and today is all I get,

I'd like to say how much I love you, and I hope we will never forget.

Tomorrow is not promised to anyone, young or old alike,

And today may be the last chance you get to hold your loved one tight.

So if you're waiting for tomorrow, why not do it today?

For if tomorrow never comes, you'll surely regret the day

That you didn't take the extra time for a smile, a hug, or a kiss,

And you were too busy to grant someone, what turned out to be their one last wish.

So hold your loved ones close today, and whisper in their ear,

That you love them very much, and you'll always hold them dear.

Take time to say, "I'm sorry," "Please forgive me," "thank you" or "it's okay."

And if tomorrow never comes, you'll have no regrets about today.

~Norma Cornett Marek~