Today marks the day that my dad would have turned 60. It also marks 4 weeks since his sudden passing. I’m not sure where to start but I wanted to write something that is a tribute to him.
** UPDATE: MY MOM INFORMED ME THAT MY DAD DID NOT LIVE “UNDER THE EL”. INSTEAD, HE LIVED IN THE PARKING LOT OF THE PANTRY PRIDE **
Shew! glad I cleared that up! 😉
footnote: my mom’s name is Paulette
This is such a wonderful tribute to your dad. I so appreciate your openness and honesty and I’m happy that I meandered onto your blog today. Love ya!
You write beautifully Melissa. Thank you for sharing your Dad with some of your friends that did not have the honor of meeting him.
Melissa, this is so beautiful. Thank you for sharing. Much love!
What a beautiful tribute! It was nice to read today on Harry’s birthday. I loved your dad he was a great guy! My favorite thing about your dad was his honesty, it really is a wonderful quality. It’s what I love most about Steve as well:) I am thankful for the time I got to spend with Harry! Love You! Kate
Melissa, that was beautiful. of course it made me cry! He will be missed!!! I have great memories of your dad that I will always have. Happy 60th to Harry! Btw, the pic are just how I remember you all!! Love you!
Beautiful tribute Melissa! Thanks so much for sharing, this makes me wish I could have gotten the chance to meet him. He sounds like my kind of guy! (btw: What did you dance to at your wedding?)
This tribute to your dad is wonderful . We know he is smiling down on you. Happy 60th Harry – we celebrate your life today.
I enjoyed all of the memories your pictures brought back. Sorry for your loss.
Beautiful! Touching! We are still thinking of you all and our prayers are with you. Love, Michele and Tom
Thank you ALL so much for the comments!! I am so glad that you enjoyed this post. It was a bit difficult to write… btw, Danette, we did not dance to The Doors…. but we did dance to Sinatra’s “The Way You Look Tonight”. 🙂
Melissa,
What a beautiful tribute to your father. Thanks so much for sharing. Although I never met him, I felt like I knew him through the stories your Mom and I shared. Sometimes we would say we were married to the same man. My husband was also my high school sweetheart and he too share’s your father’s love of cleaning and some of his other fine qualities! Happy Birthday Harry!
Dear Melissa, at first I was a bit teary and then a smile lit up my face. Such beautiful and fun memories you hold dear to your heart of your dad. Exactly what each of us should strive to do and be in our lives. He has not left you, for you have him inside you. Yes, we will all have our turn. What a lovely tribute. Thank you for sharing with us all. Laurie
Beautiful Melissa,
There are no words to say how beautiful your Tribute is. Although Harry’s life was cut short I would have to say that in the wife and children department he came up the richest many in the town. I know he felt this way as it was expressed to me by the man himself. It has been a privilege to be a part of your family for so many years. To have a friend like Paulette is such a gift and for her to share all of you with me , what can I say. Your dad was my buddy. I will miss him so much. We crossed the Continental Divide together, Harry , Paulette, Nancy. The poor guy stopped at a 100 bathrooms for mom and I. He drove us to the top of a mountain and we saw such beauty. We share this moment and I will never forget it. My heart breaks to think I will not see him again on earth. But he will be with us in spirit. There is a tribute that is even greater than these beautiful words. That is you Melissa,you and your siblings and the lives you live are a tribute to your dad. Thank you so much for sharing this.
Melissa, I am so glad that I came onto your blog today and read this. I did not know your dad, but your remembrance of him brought tears to my eyes. A beautiful way to celebrate a life cut too short…
What a wonderful tribute, Melissa. Your words paint a great picture of him and your photos capture your descriptions. My mom’s birthday would have been 4/25, so I too have been feeling the bittersweetness this time of year…
Your mom just sent this to me, Melissa, and I am so glad she did. I’m at work but that didn’t stop me from savoring each word and picture, alternately smiling and wiping away a tear. I have such fond memories of your mom and dad from our High School and early married years and though we moved away to North Carolina 19 years ago and only got to see them on rare occasions, when we did it was as though we had seen them yesterday and we took right up where we left off. I treasure your mom’s friendship that we have shared since grade school and will always treasure having known and been a friend of your dad’s. Though rough around the edges, I always felt that he was one of the warmest, loving men I ever met. He will be missed but will live on in the hearts and memories of so many. thank you for sharing this beautiful tribute with us all. You and your family are the real tribute to the late, great Harry!
I just wanted to say thanks to all of you once again! Your responses have been so wonderful and heartwarming. You have no idea just how lovely they have been for me to read. Thank you,
melissa, i had heard you did pics of baby jackson and decided to take a look at your website today. WOW…. you are wonderful. You tell the most beautiful stories with pictures and words. Thanks for helping us to always remember how great your dad is and will always be…