Yesterday was my dad's birthday. He would have been 82 years old. We got together at my mom's to celebrate his life and to reminisce. It seems hard to believe that he has been gone nearly two years. It felt so good to have his presence in the room with us through the legacy he left behind. There were 18 of us gathered around the table for a celebration that was planned less than 24 hours in advance. That just goes to show you how much he was loved and is still missed. From my oldest brother on down to great grandchildren who never knew him, we all gathered on short notice to honor him and to offer comfort to my mom, his bride of nearly sixty years.
Among his many roles, my dad mashed the potatoes in our family. I can remember watching him add the butter, canned milk, salt and pepper and then mashing those potatoes by hand with military precision until they were creamy perfection. When he was done I would stand beside the bowl waiting to be the official taste tester. He'd grab me a spoon and I'd dip it in pulling out a little spoonful of that white goodness.
You know we did that dance, my dad and I, until his hands were bent with arthritis and his arms were too weak to mash.
So when I say I mashed the potatoes yesterday, it was just another reminder that he wasn't physically there with us. But as we held hands for grace, I looked at that circle of family gathered round and I saw him in each and every one of us he left behind.
xo, Patty
A Beautiful Legacy. Missing my daddy now.
ReplyDeleteSweet post. SO glad you shared!
ReplyDeleteOh Patty. I felt your love and sorrow in this post so much! What a precious memory of him as you mashed the potatoes this time. I can't imagine how it must feel, but I know he must have been a pretty amazing man to have such a sweet daughter! Continue to let his life go on by sharing his stories... Legacy. Praying for your comfort this morning.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Leslie
Oh Patty this is sweet. The coming holidays always make the memories even sweeter. Glad you were all able to be together.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful heartwarming post / you have brought tears to my eyes....
ReplyDeleteI ditto what Deb said. Big tears and missing my Dad as well. I had such peace when he died because of his Alzheimers, but I still miss him. Such a nice thing for your family to do. Hold each other close in remembering such a special person.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post! Isn't it special to have such precious memories of your Father? I too, have dear memories of definite things my Dad always did, from making sausage gravy every morning to letting the grandchildren sit in his lap and eat ice cream out of the container. Things that none of us will ever forget.
ReplyDeleteJudy
This is a beautiful tribute to your father...I know he was right there with you in spirit...
ReplyDeleteThat must have been difficult and sweet at the same time to write that post. It is a lovely tribute to your Dad. I empathize with you over the loss. I admit that I wish we could do what your family did. It hasn't been a year for us yet. Maybe one day we can. Glad that you had that opportunity.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful family You are! Ines
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful celebration and such loving memories~
ReplyDeleteGood Morning Patty, your post is so touching and when I read your words I could feel the love you have for your Dad and for your family. I love how you all came together to remember him and to support and comfort your Mom. It would have been a sad day for her to be alone.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you,
Your blogging sister, Connie :)
What a lovely tribute to your dad. You were taught to mash by a wonderful man.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Patty. I know your Dad was with you, as you gathered to honor his memory. How wonderful that your family gathers together like that. So good for each of you, and especially, your Mama!
ReplyDeletexo Kris
What a wonderful tribute to him and to be there all together. What a wonderful family you have.
ReplyDeleteThis is beautifully written, Patty. It brought tears to my eyes. You are so right - your father lives on in all your family. I am dreading Thanksgiving as it will be our first without my mom who died in March. A friend told me that all the "firsts" are very hard.
ReplyDeleteYour words were felt so deeply. I, too, miss my Dad. He died Oct. 22, 1994, 19 years ago and it seems just like yesterday. We have beautiful memories like you, just keep talking about them and enjoy your family. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteA beautiful tribute to him!
ReplyDeleteBrenda
What a beautiful post.
ReplyDeletePatty- What a wonderful tribute and testament to how much your Dad was loved. You were so blessed to have had him all those years. Love the mashed potatoes story-that is one to pass down to the generations below- xo Diana
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely tribute to your dad. So glad you had that moment with your family.
ReplyDeleteOh Patty, that was beautiful! Your love for him is so beautiful! It is so hard to live without the ones we love so much and were such a BIG part of our lives...but truly thankful for all of those incredibly wonderful memories!! xoxo Carolyn
ReplyDelete"...I saw him in each and every one of us he had left behind." Lovely Patty. Missing my mother-in-law and her too-loud laugh and her baked beans and just all of her <3
ReplyDelete