My father's name was Hobert, but most of his friends called him Hobe. He was a likeable fellow with a sunny disposition and personality. Dad worked a 6 day week but I never heard him complain, he left me with many memories that I try to pass along to Great-Grandsons who never knew him. He was generous, kind, funny and unfailingly honest.Daddy loved to hunt and fish, it was an obsession. His persistence to catch “The Big One” was almost too much, more work than fun… at least from a kid’s perspective. Yet somehow, he injected the love of fishing into my brother and me. My guess is that my Dad brought us fishing without a thought that it would leave an indelible imprint. I never forgot the thrill of holding a wriggling fish.
Daddy and his brothers and sister came from a very musical family. His Mom and Dad played a mandolin, fiddle and guitar. When we were kids Daddy used to set and play that guitar he bought when he was 16 years old. I remember him playing The Church in the Wildwood so many times.
His garden was another passion. Dad looked so forward to this time of year and planting his potatoes. He would plant them on his birthday, the 27th of February and then tend to them like they were children. Patience and care yielded perfectly formed, sturdy potatoes in the end...just like kids they needed someone to nurture and watch over them.
Daddy also loved to fix breakfast and Mom allowed him to do this despite the mess he would make! His real “claim-to-fame" was his dressing! He took such great pride in fixing it every year for the holidays and the family reunion. He would use the Crockpot to transport this secret concoction to church potlucks, giving specific instructions to whoever was holding it of it’s worth! When Daddy would be lucky enough to get a wild turkey we would have fried turkey breast for breakfast. You might think it wouldn’t be so good first thing in the morning, but if you were in that kitchen and could smell how good it was!
My Dad would have been 89 today, he’s been gone 16 years now. He would have taken so much pride in his Great-Grandsons Jackson, Gavin and Ewan…seeing them out on the boat enjoying themselves and fishing for “The Big One!”
oh momma this is so good! i was so lucky to have grandpa. he was always so happy and people just really liked him. he was so authentic, so real i think people were just drawn to him. you are so much like him.
ReplyDeletei love you!
Loved reading this. Thank you for sharing your dad with us.
ReplyDeleteI send you hugs for warmth and love as you remember your Father. Such memories are grand and precious.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could understand or know what you feel.. but my Father passed when I but was one year of age.
Help your grandchildren know your Father by the stories and his way of living.
with love,
Olivia
I truly understand how your feel about your Father. My Father also would have been 89 this Feb 8th. He passed away 7 years ago and I still miss him so much.
ReplyDeleteI am grateful that God let him live for 82 years. I selfishly wish he could have given us another 10 years or more. It is so hard to let go of our loved ones.
Thank you for sharing your loving memories of your beloved Father.