This weekend marks the anniversary of my Dad's favorite weekend each year. We always attended "The Kirkland Family Reunion" and my father would call everyone to remind them to be there. He thought he could urge most people to be there...and it worked!
This evening as I'm watching the evening news about local robberies, school stabbings and seeing the national news covering calls for war in Syria. I'm disgusted. I can still hear Dad asking, "What the hell is wrong with people now?" Dad was an optimist and he thought all people had good in them.
These things have me thinking of the old man. When he would call relatives to remind them about the reunion he would also include the phrase, "You know this might be my last year to be there!" But I always thought he would be here for it. His health usually improved right before the reunion, probably from his excitement to see everyone. 2012 turned out to be his last.
Dad's smirk, smile and laughter are some of the things I miss most about him. His attitude is impossible to replace, it was contagious. He had the gift of spreading smiles to those around him. He earned my respect and admiration, I wish I were more like him.
I hope others remember him fondly too. This weekend will keep him in my mind. I wish I still had him to hug and tell him how much I loved and appreciated him.
1 comment:
Aww, I bet it's especially hard since you can't go, too. He's still with you every time you have these memories. {{{HUGS}}}
Shari
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