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Friday, September 30, 2011

In Loving Memory of My Father

Growing up my Father was larger than life! 
Strong, disciplined, man of few words, 
and always impeccably dressed.

We were not always close, possibly because we were both independent souls, strong willed and determined to make our own way in life (after all I was raised my grandmother - his mother- for the first 8 years of life). As the saying goes the apple usually doesn't fall far from the tree.

Growing up I often felt like an outsider among my family. After all my two siblings had my Father in their lives since birth. It wasn't until I came to Canada that I got to know my Father. My Father's work after I was born took him all over the world ~ there were cards, gifts, letters and rare visits. But no bedtime stories, or days at the park, or words of praise when I did good in school, in the early years when children and parents form that bond.

Like I said I was much like him, a rebel determined to make my own way in life, and that I did. 

As I sit here wrapped in my bathrobe ~ the one that use to be white [now pink, due to my instance on doing a load of laundry, shortly after my return home (post accident) ~ of course not remembering , one must sort whites from colours.] You see this bathrobe means the world to me, it is the last birthday gift my Father bought me [I was in the hospital still recovering December 2006] . As like most old school European Fathers, they rarely go and "shop" instead you get an envelope filled with money. That my Father actually went out and picked it out himself means the world to me and his action spoke the words, he often did not say out loud.

September 30th, 2007 you returned HOME
But not before I knew with all my heart how much you loved and were proud of me!
Thank you Dad, for willing me to keep going after my accident ~ without your love and strength, the last nine months of our lives together would not have been as joyous!

I MISS you more than words can describe and tears can show, but I know one day we will be united again. And you'll probably say to me ...  "What took you so long to learn your lessons and complete your purpose on earth?" then we'll plan a new set of lessons and purpose for the next time.




14 comments:

  1. Sweet post! Love it! Hope you have a great weekend!
    Following you..

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  2. Agreed with Tiff above, a very sweet post, made me a little misty but I loved it! It sounds like your father was a wonderful person full of strength and determination, like you said the apple doesn't fall far from the tree!
    Hope you have a wonderful weekend my friend!
    xoxo

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  3. It's good that you had those precious moments together before it was time for him to leave. Have a wonderful weekend!

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  4. Dearest Celia,

    The first photo is not loading...
    Your story is so much paralel to that of my Papa. Very stern, strict and almost without any praise, ever. But that probably did make us strong so we could get around in our world, and in the big world for traveling without problems. Love is often held back by that generation and we must remember that their youth was a tough one so they didn't know any better. But this is one more reason for loving your angels!
    What a fate that you accidently had your favorite and cherished bathrobe turned pink after other items blead the white gift from your Dad. But the sentimental value is still there! You can warm up in it many more times with now a pink glow for your soul...
    Love to you and have a great weekend!
    Hope you soon get the parcel and I'm looking forward to having my website and email back working... My former web designer let the domain expire. Fortunately there is a grace period and my webmaster is handling this for me.
    Hugs,

    Mariette

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  5. What a wonderful and loving tribute to your dad. Love that he bought that bathrobe for you himself - a warm item that covers you like a hug. :)

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  6. What a wonderful tribute to your father; heartbreaking at the same time. What you say about European fathers is SO true. My Dad always gives just money, and I would love for him to take the time to choose something, before it's too late.I wish he could read this blog post xx

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  7. I am sending you a hug as you go through this difficult time.
    I am so sotty for your loss. You are a wonderful woman and I know he was so very proud of your accomplishments and your strength after your accident.
    Love,
    Kristin

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  8. Sorry to hear your missing your Dad my dad died this month also

    Janice

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  9. Oh my, I am sitting here crying over your post. It is so touching and heartfelt that I can feel your love for him.

    I'm so glad that you were able to spend some quality time with your father. Even though the early years were not like most children's, I believe you were able to make up for time lost at a time when you most needed it. That's the way it is most of the time. God always furnishes the person you need most at the time you need them the most.

    I wish you a wonderful weekend.

    Kris

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  10. This is a beautiful, beautiful post, Celia. What a lovely tribute to your father. My Mom died September 16, 2007 so reading the words you've written has helped me a lot. Hope you can spend today remembering all the wonderful times, messages, and gifts you shared with your father.

    Hugs to you xoxo, Annemarie

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  11. Good morning, beautiful one...our fathers love us so...and yours I am sure has said many prayers on your behalf. But look at you...a princess, a lover of life and a special daughter. BLESS YOU MY FRIEND, and thank you for your kind words! Anita

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  12. Such a sweet and heartwarming post.

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  13. What a beautiful post Celia...I can relate very much, on my return home from visiting my Father's grave. A Father is so important in life...mine was gone for too many years too.
    Such a lovely tribute you have written. Keep that robe...
    Next trip, I hope I shall be closer!
    xo,
    Nathalie

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