Forever fifty-one

by Robin

Sunday, May 21st was my father's 70th birthday. Mom would've made a huge party with all our friends and family. There would've been dancing, since Daddy loved to dance. There would've been delicious food and lots of fun and laughter. It would've been wonderful.

Everyone loved my father. He was kind and loving to his friends as well as to strangers. He managed a bakery in South Boston and when a homeless person came to the back door, Daddy always provided that person with bread and rolls so that they would have something to eat. He cared about everyone.

Daddy died at work at age 51 of a heart attack. Life has never been the same for me, my sister, Kara, or my mom. Almost 19 years have passed since that day. I was 24-years-old. Kara was one month away from turning 13.

It's weird to think that he will never really be 70. He will always be forever 51 for all of us. I always thought that 51 was too young to die but then I remember that my dad really lived his life. Some people just glide through it without ever living.

Instead of feeling sad on his birthday,I decided to write about the lessons I learned from this loving and amusing man. He was always smiling and full of life and that's how I always think of him. Here are 10 things that my dad taught me.

1: Always have a tambourine handy. You never know when you might want to march through the house singing,"Seventy-Six Trombones" from the musical, The Music Man.

2: Keep a mug in the freezer at all times. Pepsi tastes better in a frosted mug.

3: Kids need to play outside. There is no reason to stay indoors even if you are sick. You can still sit on a lounge chair and breathe the fresh air. That'll make you better!

4: Always tell the truth. (Since I was an only child for 11 1/2 years,I really didn't have any other option. I had to tell the truth since I had no one else to blame!)

5: Make your own good time. Don't expect to be entertained everywhere you go.

6: If you don't know the words to a song, make them up. If you sing your own words loudly and with confidence, people won't notice.

7: Never leave toasted marshmallows outside in your sand pail overnight. (This was a valuable lesson I learned when I was six-years-old.)

8: If you are afraid of everything, you'll never do anything.

9: If the label on the Jiffy Pop popcorn says do not try to re-pop the unpopped kernels, don't! There is a reason for this. You don't have to see the kernels popping all over the kitchen,to know that this is a bad idea!

10: Laugh as often as you can.

What is the most important lesson that you learned from your parents?

Robin P. lives with her husband and daughter in a suburb south of Boston.

Comments

[Jo]

I don't have any lessons to share but wanted to say what a beautiful tribute this is to your father. You can definately tell that he is still very loved even now.

[Rooth]

Beautiful tribute, Robin!
He is still very much alive for you in your heart and spirit.

I am lucky to have both my parents, Mom, 85 and dad,87. They are both truly funny and remarkable!
My dad's a real character..he talks to everybody in his big booming voice...he is a looming presence in any place, but mostly in our hearts. Every day I hear echoes of what he's once said or done.
We three daughters are the most wonderful entities in his world and he continues to tell us so in beautifully written notes. I have featured him in a lot of my blogs and stories, both mine and his. He is a great writer.
Hmmm..should do a blog for Father's Day..!

He taught us to stand proud and be true to who we are and not to let anyone, (especially men who don't treat us kindly)decide whether the sun will shine or not on any given day.
Fathers and daughters have a very unique and special bond.

[Waya]

This was a very touching post. I'm very fortunate to have both my parents still living. It makes me love them more and more each day.

I even wrote about my love for my Mom in my blog. If you'd like to check it out, click on the link below.
http://www.beforebaby.com/waya/2006/03/13/a-moms-love-is-infinitely-precious/

There are many lessons they've taught me but a few really stuck with me and I'm trying to teach my children the same, and they are respect your elders, work hard at everything you do, and be charitable.

[LauriJon]

My mother had a big heart and a childlike quality that made me feel she'd be an eternal teenager. And my father always instilled in me a sense that I could do anything I wanted to if I put my mind to it. Feb 20 marked the third anniversary of my mother's death, and June 6 marks the first anniversary of my father's death. I miss you guys, and I hope you're proud of the job I'm doing raising Maricella. Great post Robin!

[janet]

My Dad died when he was 47 and the one thing I always remember him telling me was to keep learning new things all your life.He would read the encyclopedia each day,too bad he didn't get to finish..but it keeps my life fascinating and interesting

[Kim]

My dad died last year at 50. I had just turned 22. My little sister was 13. There were 3 other kids in between us. My son was born 8 months minus one day after he was born, 2 1/2 weeks early. Without trying to he taught us all just how much life truly goes on. At 5 months old it's amazing how much he reminds everyone of my dad.

[Kate]

My father died at 38. I was 15. We donated his clothing a year later and, that winter, I would see a homeless man wearing his old coat. It made me sad, but it also gave me great hope. Out of every negative, there is a chance to do good.