Happy Father's Day - Daddy

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.