Only A Dad

Only a dad, with a tired face,
Coming home from the daily race,
Bringing little of gold or fame,
To show how well he has played the game,
But glad in his heart that his own rejoice
To see him come, and to hear his voice.

Only a dad, with a brood of four,
One of ten million men or more.
Plodding along in the daily strife,
Bearing the whips and the scorns of life,
With never a whimper of pain or hate,
For the sake of those who at home await.

Only a dad, neither rich nor proud,
Merely one of the surging crowd
Toiling, striving from day to day,
Facing whatever may come his way,
Silent, whenever the harsh condemn,
And bearing it all for the love of them.

Only a dad, but he gives his all
To smooth the way for his children small,
Doing, with courage stern and grim,
The deeds that his father did for him.
This is the line that for him I pen,
Only a dad, but the best of men.

Edgar Albert Guest

I'm so sorry Todd. I grew up without a good father figure. Celebrate the relationship you had and be comforted in the fact that he lived a long and happy life.

Very sorry for your loss. Only good people are missed, though. Always remember that.

Beautiful tribute and photographs. I'm really sorry for your loss.

I can't think of anything to add to what has been said here other than I am so sorry for your loss.
It seems as if he had a good run at life and went out quick on his terms.

Dave

Sorry for your loss, Todd. My grandfather passed at the same age (a couple years ago). It amazes me to think about the things people of their age have seen in their lifetime. Take solace in the fact he lived a very long, full life, and knew how much his family loved him.

Sorry for your loss!

Sounds like he lived a good life and went out with minimal suffering. Pretty hard to beat that!

Kevin...
I am so sorry for your loss of your Pop.
My father is 89. My Mother 86.
I hurts to see them slowly going down hill. They live close to me.

The photo of your Dad in the Navy is awesome. E5! Not bad dude.

I know it is hard to process but look at the positive side of his life.
He beat a hell of a lot of odds and not many make it to his age.
And he didn't have to suffer a prolonged attempt to keep him going.

You are going to move on and I hope you live as long as your Pop.

Don

So sorry for your loss.

Sounds like he was ready to go as you mention - and is back with your Mom already.

I'm sure you'll miss him as much as those of us that have already lost our dads. As others have said - these posts always bring back old memories. I wish Dad was still around.

Mark

Your Dad had a long life. Served his country. Was a good father and grandfather. A good role model. Sorry for the loss.
Guy

Thanks for this....very nice.....

So many nice words spoken here. Thanks for a well written tribute to an obviously well respected man---and son.

J8tg
Littleton, Co

My condolences.
Nice tribute to your dad. R.I.P

Sorry to hear of your loss. Regards, Sandy

One's carriage can often say a lot about the person.
The slant in his White Hat (Dixie Cup), the casual gait, the sling in his bracelet, etc.
I see a young man who is settled within and easy-going...as he walks that fine line between arrogance and self-assurance.

God Bless us all.

Condolences to you and your family, Kevin. I have a friend who is 101. She has had a great and interesting life (traveled extensively, worked for the State Dept. from the '50's into the '70's in asia, got out of Saigon three days before the big collapse, etc.) and tells me she feels it's time to go. She's healthy and sharp as a tack, and I tell her the world will suffer a loss when she goes. I always think about all the great things these people have had the opportunity to see and experience during their lives. I think their lives were generally fuller than those growing up now in the digital age.

Thank you, everyone.

I have just returned home from wrapping up my dad's affairs and reading your kind thoughts, poems and words of encouragement make me realize exactly why I come back to this place day after day.

Dad didn't have wifi, so I couldn't see anything until tonight.

I chose to stay at my father's house the whole week intown near the Naval Air Station rather than at my brother's...although I did go there one evening for dinner. There was a beautiful sunset over the Gulf that seemed almost surreal. I got my long run in each morning--so that helped me prepare for what I had to do--I guess.

Each day my nieces and nephews, brother and sister-in-law, assorted neighbors and friends would come by to pay their respects. Each night I would pack away the remainders of my parents 60 years in that house.

When it was finally empty---all the clothes, tools, books, christmas decorations, kitchen gadgets, clocks, food, you name it.....I only then settled in on what had happened.

I even sold his old Explorer while I was down there---and used the proceeds to take the family out to eat several times.

We even found the old Kodak projector and slides and for the first time the family didn't cringe when we showed them all---it couldn't have been any better to have them there with me.

What a roller coaster of emotions--especially when the honor guard bugler played Taps.

Thanks again, everyone.

Thttp://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1445645486.jpg

There's a special place in the hereafter for great Dads. Mine is there. Sounds like yours is on his way.

My sincerest condolences. He was a great man from everything i gathered here and he will be missed dearly. It is almost amazing how many eras he has witnessed. How much he has seen. It was a privilege most will not encounter and better yet a blessing. Wishing you the best during this difficult time. Stay strong!


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