Just Not The Same

Of course not. Dad's not here.

When I cheer or boo at football games on TV, I learned that from Dad.

I'm seeking strength in my life now, and wonder if Dad may have been able to help. I hesitate to seek help from anyone thinking, "I can do this" - and this time is especially hard. I'm questioning everything and hoping for motivation somewhere.

I know full well that motivation will come from me. I do like to pin it on an Event, though. Oh where are you? I am summoning you. Better days ahead, I am sure.

Guitar-playing Dad

I don't know when Dad learned to play the guitar but I would guess in the early 70s. He used to play it and sing songs to us when Eric and I were small, probably stopping by the time we were in 3rd or 4th grade. I've been singing some of the same songs to my kids since they were born. Songs like: I've Been Working on the Railroad, She'll Be Coming Around the Mountain When She Comes, Billy Boy, Skip to My Lou and Clementine.  I recently dug out my Disney song book and revisited a few more that I remember him singing. I just sang two of our childhood favorites to Jane: Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf and Winnie The Pooh. I remember loving that song book and singing over and over songs like I've Got No Strings, Bibidi-bobidi-boo, and Heigh-Ho. Eric and I also used to love singing Popeye the Sailor Man and What Shall We Do with the Drunken Sailor with Dad.

A Note from a Navy Colleague

This was posted on the funeral home's guest book on July 25th by Duke Chenoweth:

Five minutes ago I happened to spy an overlooked email from a Mike Bird dated 5/25/12, wondering if I was the same person he knew from his Navy days on the USS Washtenaw County (LST-1166). I was excited to hear from Mike after nearly 50 years! Before replying I clicked on his blog to learn more about his life in the interim...

My deepest sympathies to Mike's wife, children and extended family. I remember Mike very well as an intelligent and caring person with a great sense of humor. Mike was always positive and was a role model to many of his shipmates. Again, my heart-felt condolences to you all on the sudden and shocking loss of your husband and father - He was a very good man.