My Dad

Daddy and his Girls
Mom and Daddy dancing at Erin's Wedding
Me, My Uncle Oogs, Warren (one of my Dad's BFF), Erin, My Dad and Tristan
A Boy and his Bapa
Daddy's Baby
A Little Monkey named Jack and his Bapa
Mom and Daddy being silly

Today would have been my Dad's 69th birthday. Almost two years have gone by already since that day in June. Not a day goes by where he isn't on my mind. I miss the phone calls. I miss knowing he's there. I miss having someone to talk to about oldies with. I miss that laugh. I miss him.

A couple of weeks ago, my sister and my Mom got together with one of my Dad's friends. Every year for St. Patrick's Day, my Dad would drive down to Savannah, GA as a part of, "The Boys from Boston." In 2000, my Dad had an emergency quadruple bypass. Two months later he was in Savannah with his buddies (he had so many of them.) No one wanted him to go but if he wanted to do something, he did it. Well, they were sitting in a hotel lobby when my Dad says, "I'm going to go for a short walk to the Irish bar over there." The guys insist that they'll go with him to make sure that he's okay. Dad says that he'll be fine. Well, the next thing you know, these big beefy law enforcement guys pick UP the large stuffed chair that my Dad is sitting in and proceed to carry him like a King two blocks until they're stopped by a Georgia police officer who asks them what they're doing. Badges are flashed. Stories are told. The officer laughs and says, "You can walk the rest of the way. Leave the chair in my car and you can get it on your way home."

If you knew my Dad, you'd be laughing your ass off at that story. We never heard it because he never talked about what happened then. I'd get a daily phone call (sometimes more than that) from him telling me he was out having breakfast (now I wonder if breakfast was a Guinness or two) and enjoying the weather.

Here are the t-shirts that they made in memory of their honorary, "Mayor."  

 

These are for you, Daddy:

Dean Martin:


 Johnny Maestro and the Brooklyn Bridge:


Otis Redding:


Louis Armstrong:


What a wonderful world it was knowing that you were in it. You graced so many lives and left an imprint on so many hearts and minds. We love you and miss you, Daddy.

Comments

Unknown said…
What a wonderful tribute post in honour of your much loved father. He sounds like a truly warm hearted man and such fun to be around. How wonderful for you to have had almost daily phone calls. I hope that you get such great comfort from all your memories, and the fact that he lived for 69 years, and looked so happy and content in all the photos.

I am truly envious of you (in a kind way) as I never got to enjoy a mum or dad - so I 'soak' up all the wonderful posts folks make on their blogs and get to share the amazing 'journeys' that adult 'children' have and do have - which gives me great pleasure
Kelly Kilmer said…
XO, Lottie. Hugs and thanks, Kelly
Debbie said…
Kelly...I know the pain in your heart...I have that same pain even though my Dad died in 1988...just over 25 years ago. I love how you're focusing on the good memories of your Dad...that's what I do...it helps to remember the good times & happy memories. There's a special bond between a Daddy & his little girl that not even death can take away. I wish I could have met your Dad...and I love that story about him being carried off in the armchair...what a hoot! My heart is with you, my dear.
xo
Debbie
===^..^===
Debby said…
What a great way to honor your Dad. I hope you find comfort in your memories of your Dad. He sounds like he was a great guy and a great friend. I love to read your stories about him. My Dad has been gone 10 years now but he was not as nice a guy as your Dad. So it is nice to read your precious stories. Take care. Debby
trish quilty said…
what a lovely tribute Kelly. Your memories sustain you always.
Lotus said…
What a wonderful memory Kelly! And I love the photos and music too!

I lost my dad just over a year ago and my husband just over two.

So strange to be waiting on a call(my parents lived in TN), then remember "oh ya..."

But we're blessed to have these wonderful people in our lives, ya? Have a blessed Easter!
Lotus
Maureen Bennett said…
Oh Kelly - A wonderful tribute. Paul decided no more Savannah after this year. Last year was meaningful for the tribute to Jack. But this year, it just didn't have the "Jack factor" anymore. He was truly one in a million. Maureen
Anonymous said…
Awesome tribute Kelly; made me teary, but in a good way. He was clearly blessed to have such a loving and endlessly devoted daughter.
Guilia

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