My Poppa
Sep 4, 2015 09:57:34 #
Part of my religion is the honoring of ancestors. Yesterday was the day we honor my father. This is accomplished by a day of remembering and a candle in the window in the evening.
My Grandchildren never got the opportunity to know this wonderful man. We spent the day with stories about a man who loved his family. A man who taught us right from wrong. A man who always had your back. We called him the gentle giant. At 6'8" he was impressive but to us he was a gentle loving father.
He instilled in us a love of our fellow man. A sense of responsibility for our fellow man. If I heard it once, I heard it a thousand time: with blessings come responsibilities to help everyone live better.
He was very strict. Laziness was not tolerated. A healthy mind and a healthy body. He would accept nothing less than your absolute best. We were taught "no matter the labor great or small do it well or not at all." He always told me to choose a career I loved. He didn't really care what it was.
He taught us to live our faith. It was just a part of every day life. We began each day with prayer and quite meditation and ended each day with the same. All religious holidays were family affairs. Part of our religion is to study other faiths. He told me once, "If you choose another path, I will respect your choice."
He and my Mother had a great love story. Marriage to them meant until death. After he passed away my Mother, still a young woman, would never date. I asked her why once. She replied, "When you've had the best, you don't need the rest. I could never love anyone as much as I loved your father. It would be unfair for me to marry anyone I could not make the same commitment to."
I only wish my Grandchildren had had the opportunity to know this wonderful man. We hold him in our hearts and try to continue on the path he had shown us. Although it has been years since he passed away, he lives on in the hearts and minds of his family and friends.
My Grandchildren never got the opportunity to know this wonderful man. We spent the day with stories about a man who loved his family. A man who taught us right from wrong. A man who always had your back. We called him the gentle giant. At 6'8" he was impressive but to us he was a gentle loving father.
He instilled in us a love of our fellow man. A sense of responsibility for our fellow man. If I heard it once, I heard it a thousand time: with blessings come responsibilities to help everyone live better.
He was very strict. Laziness was not tolerated. A healthy mind and a healthy body. He would accept nothing less than your absolute best. We were taught "no matter the labor great or small do it well or not at all." He always told me to choose a career I loved. He didn't really care what it was.
He taught us to live our faith. It was just a part of every day life. We began each day with prayer and quite meditation and ended each day with the same. All religious holidays were family affairs. Part of our religion is to study other faiths. He told me once, "If you choose another path, I will respect your choice."
He and my Mother had a great love story. Marriage to them meant until death. After he passed away my Mother, still a young woman, would never date. I asked her why once. She replied, "When you've had the best, you don't need the rest. I could never love anyone as much as I loved your father. It would be unfair for me to marry anyone I could not make the same commitment to."
I only wish my Grandchildren had had the opportunity to know this wonderful man. We hold him in our hearts and try to continue on the path he had shown us. Although it has been years since he passed away, he lives on in the hearts and minds of his family and friends.
Sep 4, 2015 10:08:50 #
She Wolf wrote:
Part of my religion is the honoring of ancestors. ... (show quote)
It truly sounds as though your father was a very special man. You are a very lucky person to be born into such a caring family. May you have a very wonderful day.
Sep 4, 2015 13:42:13 #
bahmer wrote:
It truly sounds as though your father was a very special man. You are a very lucky person to be born into such a caring family. May you have a very wonderful day.
I always felt lucky. Years ago when it was the in thing to hate your parents, I always felt God had blessed me with mine. I only hope I have made him proud.
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