A Tribute To Dad

byCarolMeador

3.7K followers

Updated 6 years ago

Inspired by Kaju's recent post.

I'd like to wish everyone who is a father, or father figure to someone special, a belated Happy Father's Day. I was inspired to share this article I wrote for my father's funeral by Kaju's wonderful tribute to his precious "Baba". I apologize that I did not get this finished sooner. My preparations to sell my house have intervened in my progress here!

A Tribute To Dad

... He was known by many names.

Most people called him Howard or Van. To us, he was Dad, Daddy, Herb, Grandpa Van, Bacca, or Daddy-O-Van-Howard.

... He broke his own team of strawberry roan Belgian horses

that he chose from his father's herd and tried his hand at farming. When the responsibilities of raising a family required him to move to town and work at Maytag, he never forgot his love of the country, or his team, Jim and Chum.

... Dad was an avid fisherman

and it was our special treat when he took each one of us individually to teach us how to fish. How proud we were of our first tiny catches!

... Dad could do anything.

He dug our sewer ditch by hand with the assistance of two-year-old Kirk. He fixed our toys, and always knew how to make things work when we couldn't figure them out. He custom built Mom's kitchen lower to her height so she could be comfortable cooking and washing dishes. And he always beat us at croquet!

...Though he spent many long hours remodeling the house,

his family was always very important to him. He carried Kirk piggy back upstairs to bed at night. He made us a special treat of popcorn balls every Sunday night. Sheryll and I used to fight over who got the "test" of the syrup to see if it was hard enough, but he always made sure we both got a bite.

We frequently took rides together on Sunday afternoons, stopping in Monroe for ice cream or pop. When we brought stray animals home, it was always Dad who let us keep them. He took Kirk and Kaye to Newton to go roller skating on Friday nights, and often stayed and skated with them.

... Dad reached out in love to those who were in need.

He enjoyed lending a hand to those less fortunate than we and frequently went out of his way to go much more than "the extra mile".

... Dad loved company and opened his home to visitors

near and far. He unofficially assisted Smitty as a traffic cop from his kitchen window, watching for people who ran the stop sign for the school. Anyone passing by Dad's corner could count on his smile and wave as they passed by.

... Dad, we love you.

We remember you playing the piano and singing the song "Tell Mother I'll Be there".( Editor's note: The congregation sang this song at his funeral after I finished reading this tribute.)

We miss you, but rejoice with you that you are now at peace and no longer suffering.

Addendum:

For several years my mother had planted a message in leaf lettuce on the bank by their garage to greet people passing by. The first year her message was "Hello", the next year it was "Smile", and following Dad's death, she wrote "Peace". I apologize for the crooked scanning, but thought you might enjoy a peek at her handiwork.

The year after Dad died, Mom sold their house, moved into an apartment, and joined Brethren Volunteer Service, where she taught English to Spanish speaking refugees from El Salvador who were sponsored by her church.

I used to joke and tell people that my 67 year old mother ran away and joined the Peace Corps!