A lesson about nature from grandpa.
Memories
Sometimes it’s fun to ask a question on Facebook and see the response. This week I asked what is special about your dad and what are some of your favorite memories. The response was overwhelming and heart warming, to say the least. See if you don’t agree …
Sue: My dad took me to the drive-in when I was a teenager and we had a great time. The movie was “White Lightning,” starring Robert Mitchum. Another fun time was when my mom was in the hospital and it was up to my dad and I to cook the meals. One day Daddy wanted fried chicken and mashed potatoes with gravy. Well the fried chicken and mashed potatoes went along fine, but the gravy was another story. I had seen mother fix it, but was not sure of the amount of drippings, flour and water. I added the flour to the drippings and then the water, but it wasn’t enough. Daddy came in and added more flour, so then it was too thick, so I added more water. When all was said and done, we had enough gravy to serve all the Duke Power Plant employees, but even so, it was pretty good. My mother got a good laugh out of that story. (Growing up, Sue lived near Bucksteam Power Plant).
Joy: One of my favorite memories is eating ice cream in Dad’s convertible with the top down. I’ll never forget his face when he turned around to see us covered with ice cream!
Carol:I had been begging for a dog, so my favorite memory was the Saturday Dad and I loaded up in the Chevy Nova and drove to Landis to pick out a dalmatian puppy! I named her “Queenie” and loved her so much! She would ride on the Spencer Fire Dept. Fire trucks.
Jessie: My dad was a very busy man with work, but he never ever turned down a chance to play catch in the backyard with my brother and me. He played basketball with us all the time, even installing a light outside so that we could play into the wee hours.
Grace: My dad is a servant. Always wanting to help fix what needs it.
Leanne: Getting up before the sun to go deep sea fishing.
Lydia: My dad met NO stranger.
Betty: My daddy worked at Rowan Flour Mill in Cleveland, NC, and a part of his job was to go around to different stores taking orders for the flour. During the summer, he would let me occasionally go with him. At just about every store, he would buy me a piece of candy, a soft drink, or ice cream. It was a wonderful day spent “helping” my daddy!
Kelly: My daddy was on television for thirty years. He had lots of children on his local show. He believed good manners were extremely important. He’d always end his shows with the phrase, “Mind your manners.” He taught my brother and I how to be mannerly and to this day when people find out he is my dad, they’ll say something about “minding your manners.”
Janet: My daddy always brought me a pack of juicy fruit gum home with him after work. I would search his pockets and he’d say, not today and laugh. Bit it would be there!
Laura: My dad was an amazing man! He taught me so much about life. Looking back now I wish I would have paid more attention to the details. I was probably one of the few 5 yr. olds in Rowan County that could operate a backhoe!
Angela: My daddy taught me how to drive a stick shift on Mountain Rd. when I was about 13 years old! I grew up on that road and the part we lived on was dirt. One Sunday when we were getting ready for church, Dad and I got in the truck to ride up to the yield sign and back. I think we were trying to give my mom time to finish getting dressed. Anyway, I had on these little high heel Candies and when I turned the wheel to turn around, my foot slipped off the clutch and I threw a “doughnut” and scared the crap out of myself. My daddy thought that was the funniest thing ever! I was able to share that story with Vance, since we’re teaching him how to drive a stick shift!
Norma: There were five of us kids with 19 years between the oldest and the youngest, but my dad always found ways to spend special time with each of us. He played cards with us and often took us on individual motorcycle rides to see the ships at Port Canaveral, Fla. He built us wonderful playhouses that were so nice you could live in them. He made each of us feel valued and taught us how to value others. I remember him saying over and over, “Don’t’ sweat the small stuff and it’s all small stuff.” After serving in WWII and seeing the things he saw and enduring the things he endured, I imagine everything else was “small stuff.” I’m so thankful for the dad I had and more thankful because of Jesus I’ll spend eternity with him. Can’t wait for that day.
Connie: My dad always letting me put my little hand in his big hand when we would go to a new school or when I was afraid.
Sam: My dad came to see our eighth grade talent show. He was self-employed by that time, and he was always hesitant to take time away from his work, especially at 10:30 in the morning on a work day. But he took the time to come see our show. I’ve never forgotten it, and it’s one of my lasting memories of him.
Carson: Everything we did was special. Miss him so much.
Brenda: Everything was special. Miss his smile. Love you DAD and miss you!
Vickie: Being small, all the water skis were too big. I wanted to learn to water ski like all my cousins, so Dad made a pair for me! I had to wear a size bigger tennis shoe to keep them on, but I got up after a few tries. He worked so hard bending the wood over an old barrel with a fire in it! The skis were blue with a white stripe!
Sylvia: Always bringing chocolate home!
John: Dad would come home from work “dead tired,” but not too tired to chase four kids through the house with a balled up piece of aluminum foil for a game. He would toss it at us and hit us with it. Drove Mom crazy as she tried to cook supper.
Betsy: My dad equipped our old fiberglass rowboat with a little 20 hp. Mercury outboard motor and when he saw my sister and I trying to steer it sitting sideways, he decided to install cables and a steering wheel facing the bow so that we could be more comfortable. We had many fond memories of pretending we were race boat drivers, flying across the water in a hydroplane! Despite the fiberglass slivers and having to bail the rowboat out after a heavy rain, we loved that boat and took it out every chance we had. He kept the gas tank full and every summer made sure we had a blast on Lake Chautauqua. He built friends and neighborhood kids a huge raft so we could play King of the Mountain on the raft out past the dock as well. We were full time water bugs-day in and day out. Some of the best memories from growing up.
Robin: My trips with daddy when I was little and having coffee with him as I got older. I lost him to lung cancer in 2007.
Joyce: My dad had an antique car and loved to ride around in it. He let me drive it one time and I didn’t even know how to change gears! He loved to hunt-mostly rabbits. Took us to the beach every summer even though he had to stay covered up from the sun because he burned so badly.
Monica: His kindness towards all people. He was one of the most unselfish people I have ever known in my whole life. He had a heart of gold. Many people I already knew told me this after he died. One good-hearted man!
Ginger: I have lots of good memories of my grandpa. He loved me and I loved him. Period! I remember going with Grandpa to the store and getting each of us a Little Debbie double decker oatmeal cookie. We’d eat it in the car and then he’d tell me not to tell Grandma because he wasn’t supposed to eat stuff like that. Of course, I didn’t tell. He was my buddy.
Lisa: My dad was a wonderful man! Always there for me and for anyone! I had a wonderful childhood because of this man. My dad loved to farm and loved his cows and loved to fish and taught us all about it. He still loves his wife of 60 years. My mom is now in a nursing home due to having a stroke almost 3 years ago. Even though Dad’s in the early stages of dementia, everyday someone takes him to the nursing home so he can sit with his wife. He has a heart of gold! I’m thankful for my dad who has taught me so many life long lessons.
Thanks so much to everyone for sharing their memories of their dad or granddad. If you would like to add yours to the list, leave a comment, message on Facebook or email dicysm@yahoo.com
Thanks,
Dicy
www.dicymcculloughbooks.com
www.dicymcculloughbooks.com/blog
I had such a great time reading everyone’s thoughts about their dad and granddads. What an awesome legacy.