I got Kathy's permission to post this- her note on 2/13/14--the night we all heard of dad's passing. Today seems fitting as it is his birthday.
Dear Family,
I received the call tonight from Shirley at 8:54 p.m. that Dad had passed. Oddly enough no tears would come, but I just sat for the longest time. Then I needed out. I bundled up and went outside to 7 inches of snow and crispy, cold Maine air and started to shovel and shovel. I thought of Dad and how much he loved the state of Maine and would always talk about the fresh air smell once we crossed the big New Hampshire bridge into Maine. The scent was that of the fresh ocean air.
I believe he is at peace, someplace beautiful and sunny and just soaking it all up with no shirt on, shorts rolled up and his fishing hat on. Of course, you can't talk about "Carroll Merrill" (I believe Brian came up with that nickname for him) without a little tribute to him for all his wonderful expressions:
1. "You can take that to the bank".
2. "Olive, I'm gonna take me a shave, shit, shower and shampoo".
3. "A number one Jobby Kinoby"?
4. "That's right".
5. "Olive fix me some tea".
6. "Oh, that's bullshit".
Of course, my favorite one which is brand new is, "Honey, I'm not suffering, I'm Tony the Tiger!"
I hope these tidbits make you smile because it certainly helped me a bit tonight. If any of you can think of more and add them to the list please do because I think it will make us all smile and recall fond memories.
I hope he goes fishing, enjoys a nice, cool Schlitz beer, a shot of vodka, and his favorite cigarette (Salem's). He could do it all, fix anything around the house, we always had the perfect lawn (not one dam dandelion or all hell would break loose), remember the "Jolly Green Giant"!
Well, there will be no more "Ground Hog Day" for him!
All my love and appreciation to my siblings who've traveled this road of being a family. That's all he ever would say he wanted was for us to just get along.
For me, at age 49, I still called him "Daddy" today on the phone when I said my final goodbye. I'm so proud to call myself his daughter and forever thankful.
Love to you All and Good Night Daddy