My dad was always Daddy to me - never called him dad or father - only and always Daddy!
My daddy passed away on June 7, 1974 - gosh 36 years ago. I have lived many more years without my daddy than I did with him present in mylife. He passed away one month and 2 days after my 21st birthday.
This post is to celebrate all of the wonderful and good things about this man, my Daddy.
First - it is so hard to believe that it has been 36 years since I heard his voice or felt his strong arms embrace me. That makes me sad when I think about it. He never knew my 3 boys - he would have loved them so very much. He didn't get to walk me down the aisle. He didn't get to see the person that I became. He only got to enjoy the accomplishments that I achieved to age 21; there weren't that many of them at that point in my life - only high school graduation, dance recital's and competitions, nothing really important.
I knew that my daddy loved me - really loved me - even though I only heard him vocalize those words to me one time in my life. Well, one time when not asked the question, "daddy, do you love me." I asked that question EVERY night that I was home - before I went to bed. The ritual was, I got ready for bed, then gave my mom a smooch and then sat in my daddy's lap (before I got too big) or leaned down and gave him a smooch and said "daddy, do you love me?" Everytime he said with a bit of irritation in his voice, "well, yes I love you, why would you think I don't?" And that was that, off to bed I went.
Wondering when that ONE time might be that he said the words to me first???
I attended college in Colorado and my parents lived in Arkansas (they moved there the day after I graduated from high school to retire). I was in Arkansas for Christmas break - my parents took me to the airport in Ft Smith to fly back to Denver. As we (mom, daddy, me) were standing in the terminal - just before I walked out to get on the plane, tears welled up in my daddy's eyes (3rd time in my life I had ever seen him cry) and he said, "I love you Charolette, that's important, don't ever forget it" and he hugged me for what seemed like forever. That is one of the moments in my life that took my breath away and is etched deep in my soul.
You might also recognize the "I love you, that's important, don't ever forget it" saying. Ask any one of my son's - they will tell you that I said that to them ALL of the time. Not sure it meant as much to them because I said it ALL the time - but it did, every time I said and say it. I now say those words to my grandchildren. And it does my heart good to hear Sean say that to Lawson and Britain all of the time.
Those are just good words.
Here are some of the wonderful things that I remember about Carl Franklin Crane aka Daddy:
* He was very handsome. A head full of dark hair, big brown eyes, dark complextion - just look at my Ryan - you will see my daddy.
* He was strong, physically and mentally -
* He fought in WWII - in the Army - France - was a highly decorated soldier. He never talked about it - but I have found things on the Internet and in old trunks and things about his service.
* He loved candy - especially salt water taffy.
* He loved coconut anything
* He loved home-made vanilla ice cream
* He worked hard - sometimes 2 jobs to provide for his wife and 5 children
* He never missed any of my performances; not singing or dancing or backyard talent shows - he was always there
* He believed the best in me - sorry Daddy for leaving the house everyday in a skirt that you considered acceptable and then changing into a mini-skirt when I got in the car or where I was going
* My daddy was honest - dishonesty was never tolerated
* I was his favorite - well it's true! He called me Charolette when serious or angry-otherwise he called me baby-girl, stinker or stinkpot. The later two are not my favorites - but none the less he called me that to the end.
* My daddy invited Jesus into his heart when I was 17 - he was forever changed after that - all 4 years. He was SO excited and happy when I found Jesus and invited Him into my life on February 10, 1974 (just 4 months before he passed). I am so glad that he got to see me born-again.
* He loved me...
Those are a few tidbits of information about my Daddy.
I will gladly introduce everyone when we get to the otherside - I can assure you that he will have candy and goodies for us to eat. Don't be surprised if he asks his baby-girl to dance on the streets of gold for him. He was very proud of me.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
I've Decided
I have made a decision - drum rolll......
Well - you will have to read to see.
When I started my blog, it was to document events, people, things in my life so that years down the road, when I may not be able to remember details, I can look at my blog and smile. I also started it so that in the years to come, my children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren could know and understand their Mom/Nene/Great-Nene and know what made me tick.
Well, I have now decided that this blog is theraputic for me - I am understanding myself better by blogging.
It is no secret that there are many "things" and events that form one's personality - who we are.
For the most part, I have tried most of my life to hide many of those things and events - not good -
Also, for a big part of my life, I have often only focused on the bad that many of these things and events have caused in my life.
Well - I have decided to "embrace" every part of my life and every person that has contributed - and allow myself to celebrate the good with the ugly.
Are you confused? Me too.
Stand by - join the ride if you choose.
Well - you will have to read to see.
When I started my blog, it was to document events, people, things in my life so that years down the road, when I may not be able to remember details, I can look at my blog and smile. I also started it so that in the years to come, my children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren could know and understand their Mom/Nene/Great-Nene and know what made me tick.
Well, I have now decided that this blog is theraputic for me - I am understanding myself better by blogging.
It is no secret that there are many "things" and events that form one's personality - who we are.
For the most part, I have tried most of my life to hide many of those things and events - not good -
Also, for a big part of my life, I have often only focused on the bad that many of these things and events have caused in my life.
Well - I have decided to "embrace" every part of my life and every person that has contributed - and allow myself to celebrate the good with the ugly.
Are you confused? Me too.
Stand by - join the ride if you choose.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Lila is ONE!
We had to wait the longest 9 months ever to finally meet her – and now, just like that, she is one.
Lila is a perfect combination of both her mommy and her daddy. And of course, her Nene.
Lila is such a precious little girl; always happy and wearing a big smile. Well, almost always.
Lila concentrates so intently that her little tongue will sometimes stick out. So cute!
Here is the absolute coolest thing about Lila; when my brother Tom was here, Lila was sitting in the high chair at Nene and Poppy’s house – Uncle Tom was in conversation with others and I thought he wasn’t paying any attention to Lila, but he was. He paused his conversation and leaned over to me and said, “this little girl in the high chair looks JUST like you did (meaning me) when you were a baby.” OMG! What a kiss from heaven.
I love you Lila Grace Coble. I am so thankful that God has chosen me to be your Nene.
I am looking forward to watching you grow and learn and “become.”
PS – I am stealing pictures from your mommy and Aunt Laura.
Rude Awakening........
Time is flying by….
Seems like that was just last month…..
I can’t believe it’s been 10, 15, 20 years ago – seems like it was just last week…… blah, blah, blah.
I know that these words often roll off of my tongue - and everyone is sick of hearing it.
Well, buck up! If you are going to hang with me, be prepared to hear more of the same!
I never understood the concept of time when I was in my 20’s and 30’s. For some reason I assumed that I would be perpetually young and that “old” was someplace far away – many years into the future.
But alas, “old” is creeping up on me – really quickly.
John and I are loving our new boat and being out on the water. A couple of weeks ago, the lake water was still very cold but I wanted to get in. John tried to tell me that I would freeze – but no – I wouldn’t hear it. You see, I thought that I could get on my floating air mattress and be above the water. I thought that I could get on the flotation device before entering the water and once mounted and in the lake, I would float on top of the water and be just fine.
Now, go back with me about 35 years. My good friend Penny (yes same friend Penny of today) and I were always anxious to work on our tans. Well, I worked on my tan, Penny worked at not getting sunburned. We weren’t completely crazy, we had some rule(s); it had to be at least 70 degrees. Ok – so we had ”a” rule. The water was so stinkin cold – but we had a plan – a tried and true very successful plan. We knew that if we got on our 99 cent air mattresses before entering the water, only our hands would get wet and cold as we used them to propel ourselves to the edge of the swimming area at Prairie Creek. Once to the edge of the swimming area, we put the end of our air mattresses under the rope and our feet on top of the rope. That maneuver kept us warm and dry because WE FLOATED ON TOP OF THE WATER ON OUR AIR MATTRESSES!!!!!! Seems like just last week.
Leap forward 35 years – 2 weeks ago at the lake – I have a fancy expensive floating mattress – not the cheap 99 cent version. Rude Awakening – I NO LONGER FLOAT ON TOP OF THE WATER! The weight of my body pushes the mattress into the water – frigging ice cold water! How can this be? I used to float on top of the water?
I managed to get back into the boat – freezing cold and soaking wet, still reeling from the preceding event.
I had lunch with Penny last week. I asked her if she remembered our very early spring outings to the lake. She did. She remembered it exactly as I had described. We laughed. I asked her if she knew that there was a good chance if she got in the water on a 99 cent air mattress now, she would get wet. Guess what? She knows! She too has had this sinking experience.
Yes, it is inevitable, “old” comes. It is not for the faint of heart or the weak in spirit.
Good news about “old” – I wouldn’t trade it for 100 years in high school.
Seems like that was just last month…..
I can’t believe it’s been 10, 15, 20 years ago – seems like it was just last week…… blah, blah, blah.
I know that these words often roll off of my tongue - and everyone is sick of hearing it.
Well, buck up! If you are going to hang with me, be prepared to hear more of the same!
I never understood the concept of time when I was in my 20’s and 30’s. For some reason I assumed that I would be perpetually young and that “old” was someplace far away – many years into the future.
But alas, “old” is creeping up on me – really quickly.
John and I are loving our new boat and being out on the water. A couple of weeks ago, the lake water was still very cold but I wanted to get in. John tried to tell me that I would freeze – but no – I wouldn’t hear it. You see, I thought that I could get on my floating air mattress and be above the water. I thought that I could get on the flotation device before entering the water and once mounted and in the lake, I would float on top of the water and be just fine.
Now, go back with me about 35 years. My good friend Penny (yes same friend Penny of today) and I were always anxious to work on our tans. Well, I worked on my tan, Penny worked at not getting sunburned. We weren’t completely crazy, we had some rule(s); it had to be at least 70 degrees. Ok – so we had ”a” rule. The water was so stinkin cold – but we had a plan – a tried and true very successful plan. We knew that if we got on our 99 cent air mattresses before entering the water, only our hands would get wet and cold as we used them to propel ourselves to the edge of the swimming area at Prairie Creek. Once to the edge of the swimming area, we put the end of our air mattresses under the rope and our feet on top of the rope. That maneuver kept us warm and dry because WE FLOATED ON TOP OF THE WATER ON OUR AIR MATTRESSES!!!!!! Seems like just last week.
Leap forward 35 years – 2 weeks ago at the lake – I have a fancy expensive floating mattress – not the cheap 99 cent version. Rude Awakening – I NO LONGER FLOAT ON TOP OF THE WATER! The weight of my body pushes the mattress into the water – frigging ice cold water! How can this be? I used to float on top of the water?
I managed to get back into the boat – freezing cold and soaking wet, still reeling from the preceding event.
I had lunch with Penny last week. I asked her if she remembered our very early spring outings to the lake. She did. She remembered it exactly as I had described. We laughed. I asked her if she knew that there was a good chance if she got in the water on a 99 cent air mattress now, she would get wet. Guess what? She knows! She too has had this sinking experience.
Yes, it is inevitable, “old” comes. It is not for the faint of heart or the weak in spirit.
Good news about “old” – I wouldn’t trade it for 100 years in high school.
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