What I learned
from our father:
Anyone that ever
knew dad knew that he never had a problem with shedding a tear. But looking
back I don’t remember him crying very often because he was sad. He cried
because he was happy or proud or just filled with emotion. It’s ok to cry –
that’s what I learned from our father.
When I was in
high school dad and I were in the grocery store and a woman was in front of us.
Her child was running around and the woman was getting frustrated. She looked
at dad and said kids today are so stupid. Dad’s expression was devastated. He
didn’t say a word he just shook his head in disappointment. Words can hurt –
choose them wisely – that’s what I learned from our
father.
When I came to
visit a couple of years back dad and I were driving back to the house. A young
man was walking along the road and dad made a U-turn and pulled over. He asked
the young man if he needed a ride – I was in shear panic thinking that dad
shouldn’t be picking up strangers but dad never hesitated to see if he could be
of some assistance. The young man politely declined and said he lived close by
but thank you anyways. Always help a brother in need – That’s what I learned
from our father.
He was so proud
of his children, his grandchildren and great grandchildren…. But he was
extremely proud of our mom. He talked to me quite often about what a wonderful
wife, mother and friend Esther is. He respected her and told me how much he
appreciated all the wonderful things she did for him. There is no greater gift
in life then the gift of love – that’s what I learned from our
father.
Dad would stop to
point out a flower, a butterfly or just admire the beautiful sky. Appreciate
the little things in life – that’s what I learned from our
father.
Dad and mom both
taught us these life lessons not always by words…. But by the actions that were
shown on a daily basis.
To this day I
know that Dad believed it was always important to make others feel loved - more
than him feeling loved.
That’s what I
learned from our father.

I am in the process of digitizing some of Dad's sermons that are on tape. I sat down to hear a little as I have it playing in the other room and this sermon is titled The Sound of Music.

Part of the sermon he talks about the heart beats around 60 times a minute. So if music is played at more than 60 beats per minute, you become active. Anything slower and you become relaxed. That is why people like slow music in church.

Then he says- If you take all the people who sleep in church and lay them end to end...  They will be much more comfortable.

Thanks Dad, I needed that out loud laugh.

Please listen to some of the sermons under the Audio Gallery. Check back as I will keep posting more when I have time. 

Through the southern states like Texas, where sleeping on a picnic table('cause there was no room (at the inn) in the trailer or the car),  with the bugs falling out of the tree making it impossible to sleep.  Dad, to tired to drive, but let his 18 year old son & 16 year old daughter command the car and trailer with all inside, went on down the road continuing the journey. All the way down to the Florida Keys, up the Eastern seaboard to New York, NY.  With nerves of steel dad manuevered our temporary home through those busy streets, (even tried to park it, in vein) just so we could see the Empire State & United Nations Buildings, with a ferry ride past the Statue of Liberty and Niagara Falls.  We visited the Liberty Bell and used our bodies as bait to catch Leeches in Conneicut.  Mom & Dad knew because of our aging family that this would probably be the last summer vacation we would all get to share, with all of us together.  It's only one of the experiences we shared, to become as close as we are, not only because of the size of the car but because of the love we all shared.  Don't forget in Tacoma, Washington we picked up our 18 year old cousin Markus and brought him to So Cal with us. Now we were 9, three states worth.  Four on the front seat, four on the back seat and Rene our youngest on our laps or the back deck and who was on the floor boards, was that Allan? 
Love you Mom and will always miss you Dad...

PS. Catch a big rainbow first chance you get. Trout that is...

When we lived in Brea I loved scared movies.... Unfortunately I'd have nightmares... So I would climb into mom and dads bed in the middle of the night. Mom always got up before dad and I would get up with her but I wouldn't leave the room, so while mom was getting dressed I would stand at the end of the bed and practice cheerleading. Dad never told me to stop but when I was older mom did say that dad said "it's a sin for someone to wake up with that much energy" 

when we drove across the u.s.,we had many experiences,most that i recall happened in our car, trailer, or as a family interacting. one interesting and kind of embarrasing story,at the time anyway,involved dad wanting to watch the moon landing. so when we were in, mom thinks a Dakota, dad figured being a minister, surely a fellow minister would say yes to 8 people coming in to share such a historical moment. so we got to see the moon walk, thanks to the brotherhood of the clergy. if it wasn't for the ingenuity,courage, and i guess determination of our sweet father, we wouldn't have experienced all we have in our lives AND be the people we are, and of course thanks to you sweet mom,i love you, deanne,  and wes too!

This story is to give an example of how a very loving father would go out of his way for his family. I will start with Arizona as I hope the other kids contribute their own memories in different states.

Summer of 1969 our family spent 1 month traveling around the United States in a 1967 Chrysler 300 sedan. This car was Gold with a Black vinyl top and was towing the family trailer. For one month this ride housed 6 children and 2 adults (Ok maybe Paul was an adult too). 

I wish I had the Rand McNally atlas that Dad had so carefully plotted our course. He kept it in his briefcase along with 8 tracks of Englebert Humperdink, Tom Jones, Simon & Garfunkel, Neil Diamond (His favorite), Buffalo Springfield, The Box Tops etc.... This was the soundtrack of our Summer of Love.

Here is one of the highlights:

Arizona- We had the Auto Club guide which showed which states allowed passengers to ride in trailers and Arizona was the first we came upon.

First up was the boys went to the trailer at the state line and my most vivd memory was Paul laying on the bed as David and I lay in the canvas cots above the bed.
Paul proceeded to kick both of us up as we hit the ceiling which prompted the walkie talkie call from our dad wondering why the trailer was rocking and swaying. 

 

There was always a lot of laughter in the Burdine home.

I used to hang out at the house in Brea a lot in the early 70's when I would go to visit Paul.

There was a lot of interaction between Paul and his dad, Paul still living at home at that time and being the oldest.

Pastor Burdine would go to bed early and liked it very quiet when he went to bed.  One night I was reading a book in the family room and Paul was writing a letter.  Pastor Burdine comes down the stairs and said "can you guys be quiet I am trying to go to sleep."   Paul says "was my pen too loud"?  Pastor Burdine tries to keep a serious face but starts laughing.

Another time Paul had bought some Velveeta cheese and had just put in on the kitchen counter.  Pastor Burdine looks at the Velveeta and asked "mind if I cut the cheese?".   Paul and I looked at each other for about 5 seconds trying not to laugh, and then Paul says "not as long as you say excuse me afterwards".   Pastor Burdine says "I guess I asked for that one".