My Daddy has been gone almost 6 years, but he is still......

[Stanley Steamer]

looking out for me.......I had planned on going for a ride on the Valk today and was hoping to stop by his grave site......when I went to check the air pressure in my tires, the almost new rear tire only had 30psi in it....I knew that wasn't right, so I checked it out and found a nail in it.... .....it's only got about a 1,000 or so miles on it.... .....I guess I'll plug it later on today and see if I can find the rest of that Ride-on sealant to put in it as insurance....I was able to do that once before when a new tire with only 200 miles on it picked up 2 screws.....

My Daddy was a good Man.....I took after him in many ways....he taught me a good work ethic, to be honest, and to treat others with respect no matter their station in life...He also instilled in me a love for books and reading....he was a voracious reader even though he only made it through the 6th Grade....he loved to play music....he could play the banjo, guitar, autoharp, mandolin, and other stringed instruments even though he couldn't read sheet music....he could listen to a song a couple of times and just start playing it....I have seen him stay up many nights playing music to the wee hours of the morning with his friends and fellow band members until his fingers were too sore to play anymore....I wish I'd have had his talent for music....

He never really liked my riding a motorcycle, but he knew it was something I enjoyed.....he and I were never the "huggy-feely" type, but I loved him and I guess he loved me too....even though we never told each other that much.....he retired early at age 62 and only lived to 65.....with the last year of that with him being sick.....he told me that last year he was alive that he'd wanted to be able to spend some more time with my Brother and I, but his health only got worse as time went on....I did tell him I loved him there at the end......

He died on  Saturday Sept. 25th, 2004 around 2pm.....when I got back home that day, that was only the 3rd time in my adult life that I had cried...(today made #4)....I'm glad he wasn't there to see it....I never saw him cry or least that I can remember....I just took it to mean that real men don't wear their emotions on their sleeve like that.....I guess I'm just not that strong.......

My silly streak that I sometimes show on here is something all my own.....he tended to be the more serious type.....music was his stress relief.....I miss him more each year it seems...thanks again for "looking" out for me Daddy.....I hope you are at peace......



He's got a great view from his final resting place.....a little lake called Taylor's Chapel lake with the back of Black Rock Mountain as a backdrop.......

[Thunderbolt]

I lost my Dad just a little over two years ago.  I still miss him as I know most that have lost their Dad's do as well.  I will make a similar visit to his gravesite this afternoon.

[Gear Jammer]

Nice thoughts Steamer.   

[bludragon]

Excellent tribute, my eyes got a little wet reading this.  I lost my dad when i was very young in 1957.  All I can remeber are the fishing expeditions and horse rides on his crossed over legs.

[Strider]

Great Tribute to your Dad Stanley. 

[big turkey]

Stanley a wet eye is good for us every now and then.

Don't fret you are a good honorable man.

My Grand Mother told me two things when she was with us.

One, Our loved ones that are passed on are at peace, we are not yet at peace in this mortal coil.

Two,, You better marry that girl you just intrduced me too(SANDY MY WIFE) and I did. 28 yrs Later

still think of My Grandmother on our wedding anniversary.

She did not advise me much , but when she did, she was always right.

She is at peace now and we are not.

Love you man.

Big Al

[Stanley Steamer]

Thanks guys....like I mentioned earlier, I don't normally get "wet eyes"....this year it just hit me a little harder I guess.....

On a positive note, I got a lot of work around the home front done today and I got that nail out of my rear tire and put a plug in it....I'll probably check it again this week and sneak off for a test ride one evening to see if it's going to hold!!.....Hope everyone else had a happy Father's Day......

[alph]

this is the first year with out my father.  funny thing, i had a dream about him last night.  i don't beleive in a "here after"  but it was nice knowing him when he was here.

[Printer Mike]

Lost my dad(79) in 2001. We were not close when I grew up, but made up for it in later years. I still drive his 1984 2500 Burb. I can still hear his voice in my head... He still helps me make good decisions, and is still there for me when I don't...

[Willow]

My father left this world in late December of 2005.  I remember him with many emotions, not the least of which is sadness that he's gone.  He knew about a lot of things that are a mystery to me.  He was a strong man, a hard worker, and remarkably intelligent.

I called him Daddy all my life.  Interestingly, out of eight children only one has called me Daddy.

I miss him often and deeply.  He was and is the hero of my life.



What remains of his earthly body rests in the woods outside a small town in Arkansas.  I'm overdue for a visit.

[Stanley Steamer]

My father left this world in late December of 2005.  I remember him with many emotions, not the least of which is sadness that he's gone.  He knew about a lot of things that are a mystery to me.  He was a strong man, a hard worker, and remarkably intelligent.

I called him Daddy all my life.  Interestingly, out of eight children only one has called me Daddy.

I miss him often and deeply.  He was and is the hero of my life.



What remains of his earthly body rests in the woods outside a small town in Arkansas.  I'm overdue for a visit.

........

[shortleg]

       My father told me that the hardest thing in the world was to
  to be a son. I guess it took me a few years to understand what he
  ment
       We will always find it hard liveing up to standards our fathers
    have set for us,not to mention liveing up to what they wanted for us.
                  Shortleg[Dave]

   

[Jabba]

My Ol'Man died in 1990.  He was 61 years old.  We never spent a lot of time together.  He was a drunk.  My older (11 and 16 years) brothers were my mentors, taking me fishing and hunting.  Teaching me to drive, and how to wrench. 

My dad was never a mean drunk.  But was simply not around for me.  With the exception of about 3 years where he quit drinking when I was a young teen ager.  12-15 years old or so.  We made up for a lot then, but by that point he was physically in pretty severe decline, and suffering from some signifigant injuries from both time in the Army Airborne and a lifetime of being a railroader and drunkard.

What I most learned from my father was to be fair, and to treat people with respect.  And to listen to their ideas and be willing to change your mind.  I learned that mostly because he was not.  It was always simply his way... even though his way was slower, or harder without the benefit of a better result. 

I learned that I want MY son to NOT have the same experience with me.  I want to be friends with MY son.  I want him to remember me, as many of you remember yours.  I want to be around for him, and be part of him long after I am gone.  I plan to be the baseball coach, and football coach.  On taking him hunting and fishing.  Of riding dirt bikes with him, and spending time instilling in him what it takes to be a good man.  AFter all... that's all we can REALLY give to our children isn't it?

Jabba