A tribute to my dad

    Today, on October 21st, I gaze out to the morning sky and see a star in the sky and think of my dad. Today marks the 101rst birthday of my beloved Daddy. He died when he was just 73 years old, so I guess we can say it's his Heavenly Birthday. I hear people refer to our relatives or friends who have passed as if they knew they were in Heaven. But we don't know. That is why we must pray constantly for their souls. My father was a good man, a good husband, a good provider and a good daddy. My mother and him showed me what it meant for a man and a woman to love each other deeply. They would hold hands as we walked to Mass. He would snuggle her in his arms as he snuck up behind her as she was at the kitchen sink doing dishes. No one back talked to my mom in his presence. He was a good man. 

    Serving 26 years in the Navy made him quite structured and that is how he ran the ship on "33" Street. Having the Church and playground in seeing distance, my sister and I would swing on the swings until we heard his famous loud whistle, telling us it's time to come home for supper. On cold, snowy days, the fireplace would be going and we would walk into it's warmth with the smell of delicious hot soup cooking on the stove and the smell of homemade bread baking in the oven. 

     Snuggling in my dad's arms and pretending to fall asleep, is also a great memory for me. Then carrying me to bed with the sound of Bishop Fulton Sheen or the Red Skelton show playing would always be on that black and white TV. 

      His voice was from Heaven. A deep Baritone sound, he could sing just like Bing Crosby or Perry Como. Singing to us often the songs of my childhood. One in particular called "babes in the woods". It was about two little children who were stolen away on a fine Summer's Day and left in the woods. The sweet birdies came and covered them with leaves to warm them as they sweetly died in the nature of the woods. The children had each other thankfully, and I always sensed that their Guardian Angels were the sweet birds that eventually carried them to Heaven. In Church, I was always so proud to sit by him in the pew, listening to his voice sing. Later on in years I would come to find out that he and his brother Ted sang on the radio together in the 30's.

      My dad didn't have such a great start in life. Being born in the Great Depression, his family was poor. Poor so much that him and his brother had to work at such a young age. That's probably where he got his great work ethic. Because he was a wonderful provider for me and my siblings and mom when I was growing up. Heading off to the Navy, later in his teens, he helped fight wars and rode on big ships all in the name of "America". Our flag flew brightly on Holidays and every war movie that could have possibly ever been made was watched. John Wayne was another favorite of his. My dad reminded me of John Wayne. Both walked with an upright stature and commanded respect when they walked into a room. 

     Oh how I miss him. He died too soon. But God knows best. I ask God nightly to have it be possible to someday be reunited with all of my loved ones, especially him. Where he can sing to me once again. And I can feel his sweet hand walking along that lake in Heaven, getting ready to do some serious fishing. Seeing his comforting eyes again will be a delight to my heart after such a long time of missing him. 

      Rest in Peace daddy. I love you. Happy Heavenly Birthday. Xoxo