Sunday, November 13, 2011

In memory of my Dad

My Dad Sidney passed away last Sunday morning. He battled Parkinsons for the last decade or more of his life. And spent way to many years in a nursing home. But before that he was a beloved son, husband, father and brother. A hard working farmer and small business owner. And as many of these photos will show, an animal lover. This is my favorite photo of my Dad. It just says everything you need to know about him.






This is my second favorite photo. He is walking in the hills behind our farm with my husband Dean. It just captured his life so beautifully. At the funeral my cousin Shannon said she had dreams of my Dad walking in tall grass before he died. How fitting. That was one of his favorite things to do. Walk in the woods.







But lets go back to when he met the most special woman in his life. My Mom Doris. Of course he probably thought of my Grandma Ruth as a pretty special lady as well. My Mom always said that she treated her just like one of her own daughters. I always thought they looked like movie stars in this photo.


And speaking of movie stars. My aunt Margaret (Dad's sister) passed away within 24 hours of my Dad. She was a beautiful and talented lady. She was also an awesome cook and housekeeper. No wonder one of her first jobs was in the employ of movie stars Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne.









I love this photo of my Dad and his best man (my Uncle Jim)















My Dad looks pretty happy with his new wife.





I love this photo. My Dad saved a little orphan. He actually adopted a whole batch of baby raccoons. Which were nursed by the family cat. While I was going through old photos I laughed at one with a little flying squirrel on my cousin Julie's head. Yes, they also had a flying squirrel.

















I bet I never made my Dad this happy again. But he is just beaming in this photo.
















My Dad really has his hands full here.

















My Dad was able to fix every piece of machinery on the farm with his hands. But sometimes all a truck needs is a little bit of duct tape. (as seen behind my Dad's head) But I think he forgot a spot!











My Mom and Dad were avid snowmobilers. They traveled to Wyoming and Yellowstone (with their sleds) almost every year of their married life.









That's me.

















My Dad hard at work in the combine.

















My Mom had just recently passed away in this photo. And things were never quite the same after that. But they lived a full life of hard work on the farm, traveling to Switzerland, Florida and Dad's beloved mountains here in America. Along with fishing, hunting and raising one wayward artist. Now he is at peace with my Mom once again.





FINAL HARVEST.


He was bound to the land from the day of his birth


His roots anchored deep in the fertile earth


Nurtured, sustained, by the soil he grew


And his life, like his furrows, ran straight and true.


In faith, each spring, he planted the seeds


In hope, to reap his family's needs


With patience, he waited for the harvest to come


To gather the fruits of his labor home.


Ever turning seasons, the years sped past


Till the final harvest came at last


Then claimed anew by beloved sod


He gathered home to be with god.



Barbara W. Weber

18 comments:

Nina Crittenden said...

Oh, Sharon. What a loving and beautiful tribute to your parents. I don't think I had ever soon a photo of your Mom before. You look SO much like her, and I see your Dad in your smile. I am so very sorry for your loss. *hugs*

Anne said...

This is such a beautiful tribute to your parents. It shows your love for them. So sorry for your loss.
Take care.

DJan said...

Filled with tears but mostly for the happy and gentle soul that was your dad. And yes, do you look very much like your mom. Thank you for the wonderful tribute to a many I wish I had known. Blessings to you, Sharon.

Wanda..... said...

Sorry for the loss of your Dad, Sharon. You have wonderful photos of him and your mom, they made an extremely lovely couple. You do resemble her so much and I can see where your love of nature and animals comes from. Find comfort in knowing they must have been very proud of you.

Anonymous said...

Sharon, this is beautiful!! Just a wonderful tribute to your dad!

xoxo
Sara

Tweedles -- that's me said...

Dear Sharon
I am so sorry that your dads life has ended. I know your heart is so very sad. We understand.
The tribute to your dad and your parents is beautiful.
What a wonderful life they had.
We keep you in our thoughts while your heart heals
love
tweedles

Cat and DOG Chat With Caren said...

Sharon this was beautiful! I am so sorry about both of your losses (OMG and so close together).

Your Dad was such a handsome man and his love of animals (and of YOU) is quite evident.

This was a deeply moving tribute, I am so very sorry
((((hugs)))) He must be so proud looking down on this!

Tes said...

Hello Sharon, sorry for the loss of your dad and aunt. You have such fine collection of photos and so many wonderful memories of dad and mom. They do look like celebrities, Sharon. Such a good looking couple. You're the image of your mom. I love each photo -esp with the racoon. What a beautiful tribute. *hugs*

Serline said...

I was so sorry to hear about the death of your dad. I’m sure your dad had a hand in modeling behaviors that shaped the special person that you are – your love of nature and animals. You have shared lots of stories about your family and I’m hoping that the good memories will be a comfort to you while you grieve this loss. Know that I’m keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

barb bjornson said...

Oh Sharon, this is such a lovely tribute to your father, big hugs to you.

Pat Tillett said...

A moving tribute to your dad. It seems that he was an amazing father and man. So sorry...

Indigene said...

I am sincerely sorry for your loss. May the God, I know and trust, surround you with the peace, love and memories that will always be you and your Dad. Sending you "Gig" hugs.

Al said...

Sigh. Tears just fell again, I remember my Dad, he has lots of pictures and I've kept them all. Condelence, you're in my thoughts and prayers Sharon.

Christina Rodriguez said...

Oh Sharon, what a bittersweet post. I'm so sorry for your loss. Your photos are a wonderful vignette of a man you clearly treasured. He obviously lived a great life full of adventure, family, and love, and I don't think anyone could ask for anything more in this world.

Ellen Whyte said...

Oh Sharon we're so sorry. Our condolences to you, and purrs from the cats. Your parents look like great people. And yes, you look like your mummy!

Hilary said...

I'm so sorry for the loss of your Dad. Your beautiful tribute to him reveals what a very fine person he was. You come from good stock.

SquirrelQueen said...

Sharon, I am so sorry to hear about your father. He sounds like an extraordinary man. Your post is a wonderful tribute to his memory.

I really like the photo of him and the baby raccoon.

Anonymous said...

Oh Sharon,
I have tears streaming down my face now and I didn't even know your Dad! Beautiful!
I am so sorry for your loss.
Hugs,
Beth P