Reflections of a Daughter
Dad was many things to many people. He was a businessman, a boss, a doctor, a political conservative, a friend, a hunting buddy, a golf buddy, and a husband. To me, he was just Daddy.
I was born March 2, 1957. Hugh and Harriette were not able to conceive and have their own natural children so I was adopted at 6 weeks of age on April 15, 1957. Dad would forever after refer to me as his little tax deduction. I had flaming red hair so he called me carrot top. At least until it all fell out and I was bald just like Daddy. His favorite nickname for me was Dolly. He said he would hold me and I looked like a little china doll. That nickname stuck with me all my life and he called me Dolly the last time I spoke with him the day before he died.
They never adopted any more children after that. I could be conceited and say how could they top perfection but it was actually my mother's dad's illness that kept them from adopting other children. So, I became an only child.
I have so many fond memories of my Daddy. Sitting in the basement watching slides (he never took print pictures) for hours on end. Going down in his workshop and watching him make things out of wood. He taught me to reload shotgun shells at a very young age - 410/28/20/12 guage. Building model airplanes (OK, I was somewhat of a tomboy). Racing the cars on the racetrack he built me. He offered me a dollhouse or a racetrack - I chose the racetrack. My daughter, Jennifer, chose the dollhouse some 30 year later which he also built for her. Going to the gun club in Pacific (which I thought was a thousand miles away) and trying my best to shoot that 28 guage with the specially designed stock just for me. Going fishing with him. Playing golf on Sunday afternoons at Old Warson - I referred to it as the Sunday afternoon death march - it would take 4 or 5 hours for a round of golf. He and I could play 2 balls each on a Tuesday at 4 pm 18 holes in 2 hours. Sitting in a duck blind with my camera. Lazy Sundays at a pig roast.
The memories have come flooding back at this time of loss. Yes, Daddy, you were many things to many people. But you were just Daddy to me. I'm the only one who got you as Daddy. And those are the memories I will cherish and take with me for the rest of my life. Memories of the greatest Daddy in the whole world! I love you so much and miss you so. Be at peace now my wonderful Daddy. I hope there is a championship golf course in Heaven cos I know that is where you will be.
Namaste!
Love, Lisa