Dad
I've been thinking about my mom and dad. I've been dreaming about them lately. Maybe God's telling me I'll be seeing them soon. If that's the case, I'll be in heaven. Wouldn't mind that. Mom was a shoe-in in getting to heaven. Dad was a project. As some of you know, My dad and I weren't the closest. But I loved him more than he ever knew. He was my hero. To look at him, you wouldn't think he was anything special. He was maybe 5'10",,,180 pounds. A good looking man even though my sisters hated getting his nose. Black hair combed straight back and slick with hair cream. He had powerful arms. He had to have them. He was a butcher. What people call meat cutters now. But in a way, he was more because he had to handle sides of beef,,,half a cow. He'd cut them down into quarters that could be handled easy. He hand cut everything,,,steaks,,,chops,,roasts etc. He was particular about what he sold and the qaulity was always high. He sold nothing he wouldn't eat himself. He had a reputation for having the best meat in the area and people would drive miles just for the meat. They might buy their groceries at a chain store, but they came to my dad for meat. And you could get any amount. If you wanted a slice of balony, Dad would wrap in some butcher paper and sell it to you. You want a variety of lunch meat,,,2 slices of pressed ham..3 slices of peminto loaf....4 slices of salami,,10 slices of Amercian cheese, All wrapped in butcher paper. If you wanted a steak thicker or thinner that what was in the meat case, he'd slice it for you. You like hamburgers and meatloaf? Dad had the best ground beef anywhere. Ground fresh every morning. How about pork sausage? His was better than Jimmy Deans and you could get as much or as little as you wanted. He'd just it spat off the big loaf in the meat case. I know all this because I worked in his grocery and market from the time I was 8 years old and a lot of the time was spent on the sawdust floor in the market. I made a lot of ground meat and sausage with him. Boned a lot of the meat that went into them. Dad had to be a work at 7 every morning. He'd have breakfast at 6:30. I guess that's why I get up so early in the mornings even when I'm off because I got up every morning to have breakfast with him and mom. In my young years, it was the only time I saw him because I was in bed when he got home from work. Saw a lot of him when I worked at the store, but other than that, there wasn't a lot of time with him. He never saw me play football or baseball, or act in a school play, or me in a DeMolay ceremony. He didn't even see me when I preached my first sermon. Dad went to church for only 2 things...weddings and funerals. But he was a good man. If any of the churches or schools in the area needed something, he'd either let them have at cost or give it to them. If people were down on their luck, they could charge their groceries. There was a church about a block away that he gave a thousand dollars every year. But there was a provision. He told the pastor that if he told anybody where the money came from, it would stop. Dad didn't want anyone thinking he was trying to buy their business. Dad never cheated anybody. He supported our family far and above what he should. My sisters and I got all the college we wanted all paid. Mom wanted for nothing and when he died, there were bank accounts enough for her retirement. He really didn't know how to love because he was never loved by his dad. I didn't find that out till years after he died. If I'd known, maybe I'd understood how he was toward me. As yall know, I can't listen to Harry Chapin's "The Cat's in the Cradle" because of my dad. I do love him and if I make it to heaven, I expect to see him and mom.
Replies
What a beautiful tribute. I believe your dreams are your parents letting you know that they\'re with you and love you.....
When we get called to go \"Home\" I look forward to seeing our loved ones that we miss so much. We\'ll have to book a corner for our DS family too!
Very nice. I think it\'s just recently that men have learned how to show affection and what a blessing that is. You were a good son.
Blessings
Of course you will see them in heaven. You know, i am close to my dad, and he is my hero. The first time i ever saw him cry was when my brother passed away, and after that, he became more emotional towards everything. He provided for his family, he taught us about life, and the lessons he taught me will last me my lifetime. You\'re a good man, Mike, take care. Hugs and kisses, Deb :0)
I dream of my Mom and my brother Ed all the time. I think it\'s just because I miss them so much. I would love to see them in Heaven soon, but Ed\'s kids and grandkids need me. I don\'t think I\'m leaving soon, but I can\'t wait to see the Lord and my family.