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A Great Man.

Tonight I said goodbye to the Greatest Man I have ever known, or will ever know. My Dad. My Father. My Daddy.

I'm going to tell you a bit about him. Not sure how. How can you some up someones life? Someone you held dear for so long? Someone who taught you everything that he could? I will try. But nothing I say here will ever do him true Justice.

God how do I start?

My first remembrance of him dates back to when I was about 3 or 4. My brother had thrown a rock at a stray dog because he was trying to keep the dog away from me and my younger sister. The dog skipped out of the way and the rock somehow got stuck in my puppy's throat. We rushed the puppy to my dad. My dad gently took the puppy into the garage and told us kids to stay outside. Being so young that's all I can remember of that instance.

My next remembrance was on the day that Mt. St. Helen's blew. I was five. We had two mama goats that were having kids. My father was rushing about getting what was needed to help birth them. My parents wouldn't let me out that day. I didn't understand why. I simply thought it was snowing. Anyways, one of those mama goats was a mean one. The only people that she would let around her were my Dad and my brother. Everyone else she would rush and butt em.

As I'm sure you can tell by now this was a man that animals loved. He always had a way with them. He always knew what to do when they were hurt, or sick.

And he was a work-a-holic. The man did not know how to stop working. And he did everything. Logged. Construction on skyscrapers. Worked on a turkey farm in North Carolina. Ran a cement figurine store and eventually had his own store making and doing the same thing. Made cement fountains, picnic tables and all sorts of things out of cement. At the same time we lived on a chicken farm raising chickens for Draper Valley Farms from the time they were hatched to the time they took them to be slaughtered. Built his own home with his own two hands, a chain saw and an old mill years later. Man he could use a chainsaw. I don't think anyone was ever as good with a chainsaw as him. He was also a mechanic. Could fix damn near any engine out there.

Despite working every single day of his life that he could he raised 4 children. While he wasn't the type to speak his emotions he did show them. He showed them through his hands and his eyes. You know the song Daddy's Hands by Holly Dunn? That was him. There isn't a song out there that fit him more. For years whenever I heard that song I thought of my dad. And in the last few years during his decline that song made me cry. Now it will make me cry harder whenever I hear it. And I will be surprised if I can even stand to hear the full song anymore.

Don't get me wrong. My Dad was no saint. He had a temper on him. Being red haired and Irish that doesn't surprise me though. But despite his faults, I'm quite sure that he was let into those Pearly Gates up in Heaven. For he had a good Heart. A caring Heart. He loved his wife. He loved his children...even when we did some really stupid ****. And of course, he loved his grandchildren.

This was just a small small taste of this Great Man. All that I can currently write about him.

I love you Daddy. I will miss you. I will never forget you.
 
Kal'Stang,

What a great tribute to your Father. A son is a precious thing to a Father, and a Father is a precious thing to a Son.

I've stopped posting here, but came back when I learned of MaggieD's death.

I consider it fortunate that I did, as I was able to catch this tribute to your Father as a result.

Bless you and the memories you will have of the Man who made you one.

Ocean515
 
So sorry for your loss.....hold those memories tight and pass them along.
 
I'd like to join you, celebrating all the great memories you have of your dad.

Do what I do. I chat with dad at least once every week. The conversation is a bit one sided, but I know he's listening, cause I can hear him saying, "Get your hands out of your pockets, stop slouching, treat the ladies like ladies even when they are not."
 
I'm very sorry for your loss, brother. Losing a father is an impossible event in a son's life. And losing such a father!
A Man's Man they were called. A breed that's fast dying out.
Gather the family and take such comfort as it affords, but your pain you must bear alone.
But the fruit doesn't fall far from the tree, and you are your father's son after all.
Bear up in a way that would make him proud.
Condolences to you and the whole family.
 
Sorry for this heavy loss at a sensitive time of the year. It is beautiful that you have some wonderful memories of your father.
 
Sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing the stories. My heart hurts when I think about you actually writing that, my throat is closing up.
 
Sorry for your loss. Sounds like your dad was a hell of a guy.
 
Just went through this myself Kal, understand and you have my condolences.
 
And you Good Sir based on my reading many of your posts, while we often disagree on political issues, have clearly served your father well as a son! You consistently display Thoughtfulness, Grace, Honor and Love! If I could change anything about you, I would increase your Humor and lessen your Seriousness. You bring honor upon your father, your family, your friends and all those you interact with. I imagine your father knew you well and admired you! May your father's Best Times Lie ahead! My heartfelt condolences to you and all who loved him.
 
OMG, I just read this, Kal. I'm so very sorry. My deepest condolence to you and your family for your terrible loss.
 
I'm just catching up and didn't see this. I'm so sorry, Kal. I lost both of my parents when I was relatively young, and I know how terrible the loss is. You shared some wonderful memories of your father with us, and I'm sure you have many many more to have and pull out through the years. He sounds like he was a great man. Be a proud legacy. My heart goes out across the miles to you and your family.
 
How are you doing? Sending you a hug and good thoughts.
 
Lovebug;bt4385 said:
How are you doing? Sending you a hug and good thoughts.

I've got good days and bad days. Thanks for asking and well wishes. :)

atm I'm just trying to concentrate on making sure mom is alright and has everything she wants/needs. Also the discussions here are helping take my mind off of him for a bit. I'm also not actively working as a Mod atm unless its something truly blatant that even my messed up mind can recognize it for what it is. I don't want to let my emotional baggage creep into my responsibilities as a mod. Because of this I'm also avoiding the worst posts. Which helps.

We're going through old pictures as well. Which is a combination of happiness at good memories and sadness that no new memories of him will be made. And longing. Lots of longing.

And its amazing at the things that make me breakdown at the moment. The other day my wife mentioned pies and my dad in the same sentence. He loved the pies she made for him. Made me break down with that one simple sentence.

And that damn song keeps running through my head. Daddy's Hands.

ugh....
 
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