Chinese New Year

This weekend there were Chinese New Year festivities downtown. The older girls remember last year's morning downtown to watch the dragon procession as one of the highlights of Dad's visit. I decided that it would be better for me to wait until next year to go again (it's just too soon). It was disappointing to Naomi especially that we didn't go this year; I think she wanted it to be an annual tradition. Phil gets claustrophobic in crowds so next year I'll probably take the older girls.

Nesquik banks

I don't have any markers in my memory to place a date on this one. Maybe one of my siblings or Mom will remember. One holiday season, Dad decided to decorate old Nesquik cocoa tins with construction paper and make them into coin banks. Each night or few nights, he would put loose change in them after we went to bed. Hearing him drop coins in them as I drifted off did a lot to heighten my anticipation for Christmas morning. I think he did that just one year. It was neat and it's one of my favorite holiday season memories.

My anniversary

Today it has been 10 years since Phil and I got married. It's been a tough day because my memories of that day are full of Dad. Great memories, but still hard to remember. So today, we decided not to make a big deal of the day with a big celebration. We all went out to lunch and then for ice cream, then spent the afternoon watching the movie, Heidi. Ugh, it's such a tearjerker and about a grandfather and granddaughter, as you know. I'm not sure it was the best choice for today. Phil and the girls are going out to get a pizza so I don't have to cook.

One of Phil's favorite memories from our wedding involves Dad. Mom and Dad had left the veil in their car the morning of the wedding (Colleen had made it for me). Mom was with me at the church getting ready but Dad was somewhere else and he had the car keys! So off Phil went find Dad. Well, apparently he passed him in the lobby 3 or 4 times before he noticed Dad, who was reading the newspaper. Dad had noticed Phil but hadn't thought anything of it. It made for a good laugh, though I think I'm not telling the story well.

Ah well. I'm glad that Dad had such a good time. It was a great day/weekend and it makes me so happy to know that my Dad was over the moon happy for me.

Dear Dad

I told you last time I saw you that Phil and I were struggling with the thought of losing our parents. Something about Phil reaching 50 made us take notice and realize that that day would come seemingly in a blink of an eye. I wondered what life would be like without you. Well, now I know. I'm wishing you were here to watch me continue to try to make sense of this life and to encourage me to find joy where I can. I'm sad today, wanting. "It's good to want," you would say. You are gone. You were an anchor and now I'm adrift. How do I enjoy that?

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.