I've had a very tough time this past year and have thought about writing for a while but I guess it was harder than I thought. My poppa died. He was a wonderful man and I really wasn't ready for him to go. He had not been well for a while and I suppose people would say he lived a long life but I was still not prepared.
My dad was a Yankees fan. He told me one day when I was 5 or 6 years old that he was going to take me to a baseball game. "OK, April.", he said, "New york has 2 baseball teams, the Yankees and the Mets. You get to decide what game we are going to go to." I was very excited to be making such an important decision. "Keep in mind, once to decide on a team, you have to be their fan for life." Now I was nervous. He put down 2 baseball cards, one from each team. I studied the cards with the stiff looking men in pressed uniforms holding their bats upright and looking off in the distance. It didn't take me long, "This one!" I said confidently. "Really?" my dad looked concerned. "Why them?" I picked up the card of Tom Seaver and happily said, "I like orange and blue, they defiantly have better uniforms." My dad smiled and said ok. We went to a lot of games and I don't remember anything about them except for the snacks. Although he knew I am no real fan of baseball, he never passed a chance to give a dig now and then, "Looks like your team blew it again this year." I would say something about the Yankees playing with gold bats and I'd sit and watch the game on t.v. for a few minutes with him.
I miss my father an awful lot. He had huge hands that were super soft and gentle. He was my #1 fan and I'm glad he knew I was his.
Hi April, I really like this tribute to your Dad. He was a very special human being. You are right, he was your biggest fan. He would describe your art as "delightfully different." He is right about that too. When I check on you from time to time, I find your work gets better and better. Keep it up and continue to stay in the "blessed lane" of life.
ReplyDeleteApril, I was so sad when I found out your dad was gone. Your commentary was beautiful but it is the picture that struck me. His smile and his laugh is how I remember him. That deep belly laugh, he would throw his head back and just made you glad to be in his presence. Remembering him brings so much joy to me even now. I understand how you must miss him desperately. My deepest condolences.
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