Y is for Youthful Goals

This is one of my favorite pages (number 94)  in the whole legacy book that my dad wrote.   Not only does the content make my heart swell--to know how many of my father's dreams he realized (and these were written in 1999)--but his organized, methodical, structured analysis (and underlined conclusions) of those dreams makes me nod and say to myself, "Yup. That's Daddy for ya."  Gushy husband, proud father, humble pastor, brilliant engineer.

The question at the top of the page reads as such:


What were your youthful goals and ambitions for life? Which ones have you been able to fulfill?

Daddy said,

I aspired to a good life filled with happiness.  I wanted a good, professional job, a beautiful wife, lovely and loving children/grandchildren, a home with yard and trees, and a good education.   All these came to be fulfilled. 

                              I wanted to work for God and be pleasing to Him. I wanted respect. I wanted a car that didn't have to be cranked or pushed to get it started.  I wanted to be able to travel. 

All these have, to a good degree, been fulfilled. 

I wanted to serve in the Army. I wanted to be a scientist and inventor.  I wanted to become an athlete of renown.   I scored a 10, a 5, and a 0 on these respective ambitions. 

I can't boast very much about my accomplishments, but I can boast about the goodness of God, the loving relationship of my wife, Brenda, and my progeny.  No man has been blessed more than me!

                              

B is for Ball Games

Continuing with my theme, "Daddy's Words,"  the next question was one about ball games. My dad has always loved baseball, and this is what he wrote  (in my keepsake book) about a particular memory involving a baseball game in about 1948 or '49.

Did you go to ball games as a boy? What kind of food did you eat?





Of baseball--





During high school days, our school had a Class C franchise with the Pittsburgh Pirates--the Hutchinson Elks.  We sometimes attended a game as paying customers, but more often  I watched, along with friends, from a tree limb outside the right field fence.  There, we could chase down a souvenir any time a home run was hit.  

I don't remember ever succeeding in taking home a souvenir.

But I do remember the chase.

You see, the ball club had an official retriever who was paid to chase those balls and bring them back.

Half of one of his ears was missing--it reportedly had been bitten off during a wrestling match in his youth.   He would pounce on any kid who tried to make off with a home run ball. 

So---when we saw Tarzan running toward us, we would run for cover or act like we had no interest in chasing the ball.

Of food, I ate hamburgers, hot dogs, and veggies!  (Pizzas came to the US--or to  my awareness--in my college days.)

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It's My Prerogative, so I AM Doing the A to Z Blogging Challenge

I know that last week I said I wouldn't.

But it's a woman prerogative to change her mind, and so I have.

Last week, I didn't have the material to inspire me, nor the stamina to sustain the challenge. But I think I've found the former, which encourages the latter.

Count me in for the  April A to Z Blogging Challenge 2014.  It's simple but not easy:  blog every day in April except for Sundays.  That's 26 days, corresponding nicely with the number of letters in the alphabet.

So, what changed? What inspired me? What's my theme ?

My daddy's words.

Specifically, his words written in his own hand, into a blank book called A Father's Legacy: Your life Story in Your Own Words.  I gave it to him on Christmas Day, 1999, and requested it back as a gift on Christmas Day, 2000. He lovingly complied.

I should not call it a blank book, because it didn't even start completely blank; at the top of each page is a pre-printed question and then a page of blank lines for him to write his answer. An interview of sorts, mainly eliciting autobiographical information, but also a gratifying dose of fatherly counsel and insights sprinkled throughout.

My father is now 79 years old. He is my hero, the first man I ever loved, someone I'd give my last breath for. I cherish him and always have. He is a man of integrity, gentleness, wisdom, humor, common sense, fidelity, compassion, gratitude, honor, courage, and love.  He is intelligent, articulate, inquisitive, creative, and persistent.

I've always thought of him as "Jesus with skin on."  My mother calls him "the incarnation of Jesus' love" to her.

I'd say a man like that deserves to be read.  And reread.  Hence, I will be bringing to the April A to Z blog challenge...

Daddy's Words.

I might throw in a few of his poems here and there, too. His poems make me smile. I think they'll make you smile, too.

Hodgepodge: Beloveds, Balderdash, Bugs, and Body Color

Say hello to Joyce after you read the Hodgepodge from my lodge.

My answers may be a bit more on the serious side this time.

1. What is one thing on your bucket list? If you don't have a bucket list, let's pretend you do.

The most important one: learn what it is to forgive, truly forgive from the heart. At the moment I am actively seeking help to change so that I can die in peace. Not that I'm planning to die soon, but one never knows the day nor the hour.

2. What makes a good dad?

In a nutshell, the combined qualities of the special dads in my life: my father-in-law (pictured here with Ben, 1989), my father (see photo below), and my husband (see photo above).

Not in a nutshell, a good dad is... a man who loves to spend time with his children and sacrifices his comforts for them, talks to and listens to them , disciplines them in love, protects them from all kinds of dangers--physical, emotional, spiritual--, takes them to church and doesn't just drop them off, shows by example how to care for others, prays for them and with them, is not afraid to be unpopular with his kids in the name of setting boundaries, laughs at their jokes, says "I love you and I'm proud of you" with those exact words, gives them lots of opportunity to find their strengths, provides financial and emotional support for them, maintains a high code of moral conduct,

admits when
he's wrong, asks forgiveness when he has hurt or failed someone, takes his kids places they enjoy going, leads his family, teaches his children skills he has acquired even if they don't want to learn at the time and, above all, loves their mother .

3. Are you afraid of insects? If so, which ones?

Yes, I am. I am creeped out by most things that crawl, hop, buzz, or go "crunch" under foot.

4. We're barbecuing. What's on the grill at your house?

If you mean for Father's Day, probably nothing. My dad is vegetarian and my husband would appreciate a juicy steak. My father-in-law passed away in 1992; if he were here, we'd probably do Polish hot dogs, German potato salad and watermelon on Saturday. Our older sons won't be in town, so that's sad, but we will do something.

I am just feeling sad about the whole thing--most holidays have lost
their appeal to me, frankly-- and all you asked about was what's on the grill. We'll probably end up at an Italian restaurant after church. Or maybe not. I would love to give my honey a day of not thinking about money (which is like asking a bird not to think about flying). Going out for Father's Day lunch where he pays is a bit like asking a mom to do the cooking on Mother's Day. We haven't made plans except to send my dad an Edible Arrangement.

5. Do you believe that playing is more important than winning?
I love to win, but I'd rather lose to a great opponent than beat a lousy one.
Whether it's Scrabble, tennis, or Balderdash, I love stiff competition. I hate to be on teams with people who don't play to win, who "just want to have fun" if points are being kept. I despise games of sheer luck; I hope this attitude changes before my future grandchildren ask me to play CandyLand.

6. Do you tan? Use self-tanners? Visit tanning salons? See your dermatologist once a year?
I tan easily from the waist up, so I look a bit like an upsidedown lightly toasted marshmallow (in more ways than one). Use self-tanners? Heck, no. I have done many a vain thing in my life, and many a tacky thing, but Vain + Tacky = Not Attractive. No tanning salons for me, either. (Can you say "insta-cancer"?) I don't have a dermatologist and hope I won't. I rather enjoy having people mistake me for my daughter's sister.


7. Five years ago I never would have imagine that________2011 would bring so many tests of my faith, so many heavy things that challenge my beliefs in rapid-fire succession, as well as abundant "feel-good" blessings and opportunities.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
Today my youngest and I went to the duck pond with stale bread and old Ritz crackers. I needed that...
to watch him delight in seeing a blue heron perch on the pier,
to hear him say "aww, Mom, awww, look at those cute baby geese,"
to let him "lead" me by walking ahead of me, fending off the more aggressive male geese with a curtain rod we took for protection.

(Doesn't everyone use curtain rods in self-defense against fowl play?)

Valentine's "Day" in Pictures

I put "day" in quotations because it started Friday and ended the following Wednesday .


On Friday evening Sarah, Steve, and Ambrey cooked Chicken Marsala for their parents. We had Cheryl and Marion over and just let the kids serve us. What a blast! They had done everything from scratch--the marsala, twisted breadsticks, Olive Garden style salad, linguine (from a box), and banana pudding. Everything was delicious and we loved getting to know Ambrey's folks. I regret not getting pictures of our special occasion, but things were a bit hectic!

So many good memories I have stored up in my mind and heart this year! Here's a montage...


MONDAY


Steve had this vignette ready for his sister and mama on Valentine's morning. How
sweet. (Ben was in New Jersey with his girlfriend, spoiling her.) Joel got the day off
because Feb 14th is his birthday. He put this 1,000 pc Lego battleship station together in
7 and 1/2 hours . I helped him for 45 minutes for starters, to help organize pieces.
The necklace from my kids...
Can you see the image? Mother dancing with her four children. Perfect.

I'll leave out the part where I had a doctor's appointment. Doesn't every woman want to see her
gynecologist on Valentine's Day?


TUESDAY, after we'd all gone to bed...

Steve set the table and prepped the waffle iron and ingredients for the next day's brunch.

WEDNESDAY

He and Ambrey made Belgian waffles, and she gave Joel a gift --a huge Hershey's kiss
and his choice of little gifts . He chose a plastic frog that he says looks like a Democrat.
But then he said, "No, actually, he looks John McCain.Seriously! Look at his mouth!"

We laughed at ourselves for being such fashionistas. I was so stylin' I couldn't be seen
in pictures. Don't wanna make someone jealous. Ask me how to put together a man's white turtleneck brown ankle-length skirt, grey socks, and furry slippers.



Sneaky me, I snapped a shot of Steve & Ambrey warming up for a run.



Flowers for Sarah .We love her so much.


The ring on top was my ultimate, uber romantic gift from my generous husband.





Stunning tulips from my daddy. I'll plant them somewhere special as soon as I can.

Woops--more MONDAY memories!

Found all this at my place on Valentine's morning when I came downstairs.







I made each child a big pancake.






I highly recommend what Paul did: bought a dozen plain red balloons.
We were able to personalize them with a blue Sharpie--Steve to Ambrey, and
me to my folks.



Steve heading out, bearing many gifts for his lovely girl, Ambrey. He put
together a veritable treasure chest of her favorite things: an aquamarine
necklace, a polka-dotted puppy, Swedish fish, Lindor truffles, pink Gerbera
daisies, a Wawa cappuccino, and a card picturing two Golden Retrievers snuggling.
(She has a female Golden and we're getting a male Golden in 2 days!)

Man on a mission. Made my heart sing.


I gave my parents a few little gifts to remind them of when their love was new.
After all, their love is the reason I'm here.




Daddy looking forward to opening the KU loot bag with Mama at home. (She was in bed with
a bad chest cold. He was just getting over it.) The bag itself was a thoughtful gift from
Laurie, my blogging friend in Kansas. I was painfully aware that Laurie and her family were,
on Valentine's Day, at her mom's funeral. My heart was breaking for them.


Daddy gave Sarah a box of chocolates, and both of us got a sweet card. The
boy is being his usual photogenic self. UGH! You can pick out a 9 year-old boy in any picture, can't you?





Pappaw (Lyle Dauber) and Joel Lyle (or as Joel said, "the two Lyles")


I finally got a new 'do at the end of the week.

For so many reasons, this year's Valentine's celebrations made me rejoice. How great the Father's love for us, how vast beyond all measure!

A Few Pictures from the Past

Stephen, ten months old, in Pappaw's arms at Andrea's wedding,
1992.








My happy parents at the beach.
Not sure when this was taken, nor where.














My parents' 25th wedding anniversary, 1986.
Paul and I (far right) were engaged. Back then,
it was hard to fathom being married 25 years,
but we're coming up on 23 this year. Wow.















Daddy shoveling after a blizzard at our
old homestead. He had the strength
of a 30-year-old--and borrowed a
30-year-old son-in-law (Paul) to help.
Not that he asked; I'm sure Paul
volunteered. We owned that Dodge
truck in the picture.












Seated: my grandparents, Chet
and Kathryn. This was the grandma
who played baby dolls with me and sang
"His Eye is on the Sparrow" while
sitting beside me as I played it on piano.
(What patience she had!) Back row:
Mama, me, baby Sarah, Andrea,
Rachel, little Jill, Daddy. 1989.














Our beloved horse, Brandy, with
Ben and Sarah on her back, and Pappaw
close beside. Probably 1992.














My parents kissing at Gettysburg.
Her caption on the back of the
photo: This is a battlefield?














Is any job beneath Daddy?
Just floor-scrubbing:).














A personal favorite.