June 17, 2013

I heart...


The week that was...



"I Heart"
Self Portrait
June 10 - June 17, 2013
Project 52 (24/52)



Last week was one I honestly dreaded.  Father's Day.  The first without my dad.  I didn't make it through unscathed.  But I did sit down and have a little talk with Pops.  Just thought I'd fill him in on things going on in my life.  Things that I'm sure he already knows.  Reminded me of when I was a teenager thinking I was "enlightening" dear old dad on the realities of my life.  When in truth he was the great, powerful, and all knowing Oz. Well at least a police officer, District Judge, and private eye at different points in his life...which is even MORE powerful than Oz in a small town. He knew everything, or at least pretended too!

As I was checking off my list of "guess what has happened in the six months since you left us", I realize that I have LOTS to "heart".  Besides having an amazing father, that is no longer in pain, and hopefully playing first base/pitcher/catcher/wherever on Heaven's cosmic all-star baseball team...look what's happened since December 7, 2012:

1.  Thing #1 is engaged

2.  Thing #2 is engaged  (AND getting married on my parent's anniversary.  Dad apparently has the power to pull strings even up in Heaven)

3.  Thing #3 just finished her sophomore year of high school, and is morphing into a beautiful and talented young woman

4.  The Better Half has proven over and over I couldn't have chosen better because he puts up with LOTS from me (I feel an "I told you so" coming from Dad)

5.  Mom has decided to move closer to home (the FIRST time I will live close enough to a parent to just "drop in and say hi" since I got married 31 years ago)

6.  Thing #1 got a new job.  Which means he is moving closer to home too .  Maybe a bit TOO close as he will be in one of our bedrooms til he gets married.  Let's hope we don't strangle each other AND...he makes his bed.

7.  I've really aged with the stress of this past year.  There were times I looked in the mirror and didn't even recognize myself.  But I am finally emerging from the weight and taking care of myself.  Exercising regularly, eating clean, letting go of stress.  But I want my dad to ask God if there is a special prayer I can say to tighten up my saggy knees.  Because THAT is truly one of God's mysteries. Weren't locusts and a plague bad enough, but saggy knees TOO?!?

8.  I'm learning to not sweat the small stuff, besides the saggy knees thingy.  Actuuuuallly, I think I'm SUCCEEDING (Stop laughing Pops!)

9.  I've cut off some relationships that just weren't good, and I've done my part to mend some that needed fixin'.  And I feel pretty good about both.

10.  I've realized I'm much stronger than I thought.  I always have my family, faith, friends and the creative outlet of writing and photography to get me thru most situations.   And if all else fails...there is always humor.

Yes, I miss Dad every day.  But I have lots to heart too.  I guess I just didn't put it all together until I sat down and had a little talk with him.  I have a feeling dad knew the outcome of our talk before I even started.  I heart that about him too.





27 comments:

  1. Love your post Kathy! and although it is so hard to lose your dad ( I know), you will find, more and more, that he will never REALLY be gone from your life. That is some thing to heart about him for sure. Dads are like that!

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    1. Thanks Jeanne, lots to be grateful for...for sure :)

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  2. Oh my! Hugs and blessings!

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  3. A beautiful post, focusing on what is important in life.
    Thank you for stopping by at Polonica: Home Again and I hope you do visit Poland one day and like it. Best regards.

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  4. How many amazing things are happening!!! Cannot wait to see them unfold for you - I am 100% sure Pops is smiling down!!!

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  5. Beautiful post Kath, so glad that such positive things are coming your way (apart from the knee thing obviously) :O) Thanks for your kind comments on my pics - I've posted the camera settings for the dandelion. Have a great week x

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  6. Somehow I missed that your dad has moved on. I'm sorry. I'd like to say it gets better, but truly there are still times...ack...nuff said. Enjoy the wedding process. It was one of my favorite times, and wish there was another wedding in our family,, but I guess we'll have to wait for the grandchildren. I'll be in a walker by then, so maybe it won't be so much fun! Breathe, don't strangle anyone, and have a glass of wine. that always helps me! :-)

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  7. What a great post, focusing on the happy things, while still acknowledging the things that hurt. Good luck with the big events coming up in your life. It sounds like you're turning a corner. And, by the way, he probably won't make up the bed! That's coming from a 30 yr old who is moving back into my parents' house next week (w/2 kids in tow!) until the new house we're building is complete. I guarantee that it's stressful for us kids, too! Good luck!

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  8. Lovely letter to your Pops, Kathy. xo

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  9. Lovely post. I can tell you were close to your father and miss him a great deal. How wonderful to still feel his presence.

    I'm visiting from Mary's LRH.

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  10. I thought about you yesterday Kathy. (((hugs)))

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  11. What an exciting year for you guys! So much to look forward to!! All of those first holidays are hard after a loss like that. I still miss my dad and it's been 6 years. It's great you caught your dad up to date!

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  12. Your ponderings are always so good, Kathy. Love your outlook (and look back) on life. As I tell my friends when we go on a vacation or trips together--this is an adventure, no whining. :)

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  13. What a way with words you have...as always, I loved every word. I know your Dad was listening and so happy to hear from you. <3

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  14. I thought about you yesterday Kathy...
    As I struggle through my own battle with my dad...
    If you felt hugged yesterday...it was me!

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  15. Could not agree more with number 6/7/8/9 ! And I am sure your father is looking down at you with a lot of pride and a big smile!

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  16. It's amazing that when we go thru such pain, we do seem to come out a little bit wiser, stronger & healthier. Big hugs from one who knows.

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  17. Oh Kathy your sense of humor is great through out this Tribute to Pops. Did you see mine I posted on Friday? I'd like you to see it. My Dad has been gone for 23 years. Seems like yesterday. Last year he would have been 100. He was 42 when I was born. He was a great man.

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  18. What a beautiful post. Kathy...your Pop sounded like such an outstanding person! How wonderful that the wedding is on your parents anniversary and that your mom will be close to you! SO many changes taking place in your family! Good stuff you! And what a good attitude you have!

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  19. This is such a great post! I'm so sorry for the pain of this first FD without your Pops! Yet, I see so much hope and growth in what you recounted! Good for you and keep going!

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  20. I'm so sorry that you couldn't spend Father's Day with your dad, though it sounds like you two are still very close. When you think about it, he'll always be your hero, I'm sure. Sending blessings your way with the big events coming up in your life & I hope all settles smoothly. Let go of that stress! Life is too short to miss out on being really happy. Praying that it eases up a bit! Have a great week!

    Xoxo,
    Allie @ Framed by God
    http://framedbygod.blogspot.com/

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  21. Stopping by from Monday Listicles.
    @JLenniDorner

    Glad you found a list of <3 .

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  22. This is a very sweet post. Thanks for sharing a bit of your life.

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  23. Doing the blog reading catch up thing! Love this post! Maybe I should sit down with my mother's pic & have a chat with her. If nothing else it will be a therapeutic experience. Thanks for the thought.

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