RIP My Friend’s Dad
After the passing of my father several years ago, I realized the memories people shared with me in writing meant a lot to me…..so I don’t worry about the grammar or syntax – just words from the heart.
My friend texted me tonight: My father died.
Time froze as my mind recalled my friend’s father.
I come from a community where parents loved being parents. We spent a lot of evenings in each other’s homes. The unspoken words were just as important as the spoken ones. My friend’s parents were married for 50+ years and they loved each other. They did things together regularly and they traveled a lot.
My friend’s parents were immigrants from Ireland. His father worked hard and they saved to purchase an apartment building. After collecting rents for years, they purchased the the ajoining apartment building. Years later, they bought another one in Bay Ridge. No one helped them and they didn’t expect any help.
Most people knew my friend’s father by his voice – he had the most charming Irish brogue. Even while he was yelling at his three sons, each a year apart, it sounded kind. My friend’s mother volunteered at the school at lunch time because she knew her sons were a handful and she could easily keep them in line just by looking at them.
One day when I was a teen, my friend’s parents walked up the block past my house. My friend’s father was carrying a red plastic bat. I asked him if he was going to play baseball. He said, “No I’m going to collect my sons because they forget to come home when they are drinking.” I waited on the stoop because the show was about to start! Three drunk teenage boys walked quietly down the block in front of their parents. The red bat was raised and their Irish brogues were in full force!
Tonight the gates to Heaven swung open as my friend’s Dad was greeted by all who loved him. They saw his beautiful blue eyes were filled with memories of a life well-lived. They handed him a cold beer, as they do to all men who spend their lives being good father and role models.
RIP George D. Thanks for the great memories, for helping to raise me and for raising men, who are the funniest and loyalist friends around. I saw so much of the world with them. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without them.
Hugs,
marlene
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