The memories that are flooding my thoughts are both sad and happy. Today, 50 years ago, at 2:30pm, my beloved Father rose to Heaven. He was a good and gentle man who entered a tubercular  sanitarium at 39 years old...a young and vital man!!

He stayed there for 4 years while they tried new and unproven treatments on him. He had one lobe of his lungs removed, took many experimental drugs, but lost his battle 4 years later....January 30, 1956.

Growing up... I remember my father singing as he helped with the housework. He loved to mop floors.."S"...he did dishes...and always sang. The neighbors used to sit in their yards so they could hear him. He never knew that, or he would have been embarrassed. He was my idol... someone I adored... and I was his precious little princess (an only child). He was in the hospital when I graduated high school, but the doctor's let him come home (a 5 hour trip) and allowed him to go to the
ceremony ONLY if he went straight back home, and then back to them the following day. My English teacher knew I was shy,but convinced me that he would be SO proud if I gave a speech. I did this for him!!! I remember looking into the audience
and keeping my eyes glued to his...and I saw the pride in his face!!

Afterward, a group of boys & girls got in the car and started to a bar to celebrate.There were  3 of us girls in the back and 3 guys in the front. All of a sudden we girls decided we wanted to go to my house to celebrate... not to a bar.We ended up having a great time...singing, and just hanging out. I will always treasure these friends for putting my Dad first that night.

Dad was not allowed to come home for my wedding, so we took it  to him. Wonderful memories!!

When our first son was born, he was ecstatic!!!
(he had always wanted a son, but got me)...the little girl who poured the worm out of the can and stabbed it with the fish hook..."S"

The dr's allowed me to take Rusty (at 2 months) to see him. They put us all in a fumigated room for 1 hour. He was allowed to sit next to me holding Rusty, but NOT allowed to even touch him.
As I reflect, it breaks my heart that he never even got to hold or caress this beautiful child. Two months later, he was gone. He didn't get to see his other 2 grandsons....except from Heaven.

He was an avid sportsman... one year bagging a turkey, deer and bear. The ultimate highlight of any hunter's experiences. He was an air raid warden, fireman, ambulance driver, and very active when he was younger. He helped build a sportsman's club in town and was treasurer for several years. He was an ace baseball player in his younger years. Our local doctor wanted to send him to baseball school, but he had to help his family...so went to work at age 18. Years later, I was to meet this doctor's son (also a doctor) and he told me how he used to be jealous of the attention his father gave my Dad... as he never excelled in baseball.

But he respected my Dad and his talent.

This has been a loving reflection of my Dad...
on his 50th year anniversary in heaven.

I will always love you!!

Your Devoted Daughter