you
were an amazing father
you taught me to
believe
in myself
in God in love
in family in miracles
in old movies on a rainy afternoon
in grilled cheese sandwiches
you
got up with us kids
every day before school
making our breakfast
telling tall tales
“killing the biscuits” with the butter knife
you
taught us to love simple things
the sea sky and seagulls
the wind in our sails
July 4 fireworks and hot dogs at the beach
you
were an amazing husband
steadfast when
Mom was sick for decades
you
never complained
or made it about
you
or “took time off”
or felt sorry for yourself
even when she died
you
gave your next wife
the same care and thoughtfulness
and respect
and honor
you
were an amazing grandfather
mindful and present
you
listened more than you talked
making those kids feel like special starfish
you
were an amazing friend
collecting people like seashells
keeping them always
appreciating their beauty
their uniqueness
their worn-smooth spots
you
were an amazing role model
“what would Frank do”
a testimonial from friends
about your wisdom
you
never judged never condemned
but always remained authentic
about your beliefs
accepting without endorsing if
you
couldn’t agree or understand
you
were the most consistent
person I ever knew
like waves crashing to the shore
you
gave your heart completely
the whole package
with no strings
just acceptance and love
you
will be loved and missed
forever
your footprints on our heart-sands
you
amazing
you
Copyright 2017, Glover Gardens Cookbook
photos courtesy of Joie, one of the amazing granddaughters of the amazing and wonderful man, Frank
Beautiful. Well done. Hope this expression of your love for him, helps you on your journey.
Sent via the Samsung Galaxy S7, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone
Yes, definitely! Writing my feelings is part of processing the grief and that fact that he is no more – and yet, he is evermore. Does that make sense?
Beautiful tribute. I love the idea of “footprints on our heart-sands”.
Anabel, thank you so much. I grew up at the beach, from age 10 forward, and those were definitely our halcyon days. When I think of my Mom and Dad together, it is always accompanied by the sound of the surf and the seagulls and the smell of the sea. How about you? What sounds and smells do you conjure up when thinking of your family?
We lived by the sea too from when I was ages 5-11 so I remember many of the same things. I can guarantee that our sea would be colder than your sea though! I also remember shivering a lot. When my dad died a couple of years ago I looked out a few of the, for the blog, you can see them here:
https://anabelsblog.wordpress.com/2015/07/08/3-day-quote-3-dad/
Beautiful, Kim. We loved your poem.
Thank you so much. Dad/Frank is vibrantly alive in our memories.