February 10, 2014

I Just Wanted You To Know

My Father died today. The man that knew me before I knew myself...the man that gave me life...He died today. And I wanted you to know. I wanted you to know that his name was William Joseph. He was 79 years old and he was my dad.

He had jet black hair that only got peppered with grey. He had dark skin that I wish I had too. He was funny. Really funny. He loved my mother. So very much. He loved his 5 daughters and all his grandchildren too.

My dad loved rigatoni with meatballs. And a cold Straub beer. He loved to sleep. He loved to read the paper and watch Judge Judy. My dad hated peanut butter. I never saw him eat a peanut butter sandwich. Ever. He loved to watch Pittsburgh Steeler football and Pittsburgh Pirate baseball.

My dad dressed like a gentleman. He wore dress pants and ironed shirts every day. He wore a white undershirt and carried a white folded hankie in his pocket every day. He never wore shorts. Ever. I saw him swim in the ocean once. He took my Madison in and a wave knocked them over. He always remembered that, and so does she.

My father loved The Blessed Mother. He and my mother traveled to Fatima once, and brought us all back the most beautiful rosaries. My dad taught me to love our Blessed Mother too.

My dad drove me to my first job interview and waited in the car for me all morning long. He told me I would get the job and he was right. My dad stopped at the school one day when I was teaching and walked through the playground to the open window and said hello to my whole class.

My dad called me "Little Buddy". He smiled in his eyes. He used Ivory soap and Colgate toothpaste. He always smelled clean. He always looked nice.

My father's name was William Joseph. He was born in his house on a January day in 1935. He grew up and married a beautiful redhead he called "Queenie". He had 5 daughters and owned his own business. He loved his job. He loved his wife. He loved his children, and his grandchildren too. He had a happy life.

My father was a wonderful man. I will miss him every single day for the rest of my life. I will miss his voice and his laugh. I will miss making chicken cacciatore and pumpkin cake for him. I will miss calling him on the phone. I will miss the love between him and my mother. I will miss my dad.

A wonderful man went to Heaven today. His father and mother welcomed him home. I rejoice for him and mourn for me...and my dear mother and my sweet sisters. The world goes on around us. But my father died today. And I just wanted you to know.


My Handsome Dad around the time he met my beautiful mother... : )


My dad...with me... his fourth little bundle of pink... : )
 
 
And a few years later on my First Communion Day...
 
 
We shared a love of Pirate baseball. : )
 
 
Remember when I told you I was voted Prom Queen? Look who was the first to congratulate me. : )
 
 
And when I graduated from high school...he surprised me with a brand new car...and even more special...this beautiful card I have kept safe for 27 years.
 
 
His birthday last year...I made his favorite pumpkin cake.
 
 
I am blessed to see him in my own dear son.
 
 
Last Father's Day with three of his five girls. We took him out for pasta, of course.
 
 
With the love of his life...his Queenie...my mom.
 
 
The love of a lifetime...
 
 
I ask for prayers, my friends...for my father as he begins his journey home to Heaven...and for strength for those of us who loved him and will miss him so.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

36 comments:

  1. My deepest sympathy. What a beautifully written, heartfelt post. Keeping each of you in my heart and prayers. With love, Mildred

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  2. I am crying, Billie Jo. I'm so saddened for you. You, your family and your sweet, wonderful father will continue to be in my prayers. I never had a father and this really touched me to have so many beautiful memories of yours. What a tremendous gift! His love for your mom obviously influenced you so deeply as you can see that you've brought the lessons you've learned from him into the value and love you have for your own family. Again, though... I am so so sorry. I love you.

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  3. {{Billie Jo}} My deepest sympathies and condolences. I am so sorry..if I lived closer, I would be there to help in any way I could. Prayers

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  4. What a beautiful tribute to such an amazing man! You have my deepest sympathies, Billie Jo. What a treasure to have known. *Eternal rest grant unto him, of Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.*

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  5. Oh Billie Jo, I can barely see to type because of the tears streaming down my face! My dear, sweet friend, my heart aches for your loss! Please know that you and your precious family are in my prayers! If there is anything I can do, please let me know. Sending you big hugs and lots of love!!

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  6. Dear Billi Jo,

    I am so sorry. What a wonderful father. I am deeply touched by this precious post in memory of him...such love.

    Your son looks much like your father - very sweet.

    My father died a year ago this month.

    I stopped by here today because I dreamed about you last night. I am blessed by your story. You and your family will be in my prayers today.
    It is so good to know the Saviour and have the joy of heaven before us.

    Much love,
    Hope

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  7. so so sad for you and so tearful.
    you wrote such beautiful words.
    i feel like i know him and you a little more too.
    prayers for all of you.
    hold tight to the happy things billie jo

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  8. He sounds like he was an amazing man and father! How lucky you were to have him in your life and for him to have you as his daughter. May he rest in peace and prayers to you and your family to find comfort in knowing he is always with you

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  9. Oh, Billie Jo, I'm so sorry. Thank you so much for letting us love him too. Thank you for sharing him with us. My heart is breaking for you.

    Please know you are all in my thoughts and prayers.
    ((((hugs)))) times like this, the miles between us are felt strongly.

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  10. Your father sounds like a wonderful man. Thank you for sharing him with us. And I think your son looks exactly like him!

    Praying for eternal rest for your father and praying for peace and comfort for your mom, you, your sisters and the rest of your family.

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  11. What a wonderful tribute, he was a great Dad. I am so glad he's not suffering any more. Hugs and prayers for your family.

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  12. Your father has gone home now...you will see him again one day. This is a wonderful tribute. You and your family will be in my prayers today.

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  13. My heart goes out to you, Billy Joe! I life of beauty given to a beautiful soul, will keep all of you in my prayers. Peace to you!

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  14. Billie Jo, what a moving beautiful tribute to your father. My prayers will certainly go heavenward for you and your sweet family. May the sweetest of memories fill each day and remind you that in time, you will see your father again.

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  15. Billie Jo, my sweet bloggy friend, sending you hugs and prayers for your heart and your family. Know this...you have been blessed to have a good dad. Not all of us get that. I love that picture of him feeding you and loving you. What a great dad giving you a car. I also see him in your son. Thinking of your mom also. This must be so hard on her...her beloved spouse. hugs hugs hugs.

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  16. I am trying to read this through the tears in my eyes. Mehta a beautiful tribute to you dad. He sounded like a wonderful, kind, loving and gentle man who loved his family. Rhett sure looks a lot like your father. :)

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  17. Sorry it should say "what".....

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  18. My friend, my heart and my deepest sympathy and prayers go out to you and your family! I pray for the Lord's wings of comfort around you through your loss. I may have only become a blog friend recently, but I have gotten to read a few of your posts about your dear father and my heart felt so much sadness to read this sad news today.
    Your Dad sounds like a wonderful man and a wonderful father and someone who lived a full and meaningful life loving God and his family. And you wrote so beautifully about him.

    Prayers and hugs to you!!
    ~Jazzmin

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  19. He was such a wonderful father and Rhett looks so much like him!
    May you and all your family find peace through this suffering.
    Lots of love and prayers.

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  20. Sweet Billie Jo, my heart breaks for you and your family. What an amazing post to share your father so beautifully with us, your friends. We can see how he was such an inspiring man and how you could love and miss a man such as this. I have thought of you often today with a little something tugging at my heart. Somehow I knew, but I didn't get to read this until now. Thank you, thank you for sharing a piece of him and of you with us here. If we could all surround you and give you a giant hug, we most certainly would.
    All of our love and heartfelt prayers are being sent to you, your mom, your sisters and your family. I hope you feel every one of them.

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  21. Dear Billie Jo, what a beautiful and heartfelt tribute to your dad. Your love for him and his love for you is so clear...what a blessing. Know that I am sending a hug and sending up prayers for you & yours...

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  22. My dear sweet friend, what a lovely post for your father. I am so grateful to know a little more about him and therefore a little more about you. What a wonderful man he was. I have been thinking of you all day and hope that you can feel all of the arms encircled around you and your family today. Many prayers are being said on your behalf. <3

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  23. I know that I never leave comments, but I do look at your blog...this made me cry! Prayers and hugs for you and your family

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  24. I'm so sorry for your loss. Reading this post took my right back to when I lost my own father. Surround yourself with good memories...

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  25. There are no words Billie Jo. Except for the words that you so beautifully wrote. You are gifted in love and now I know where that came from. Thank you, oh thank you for sharing with all of us this journey. I am here for you; sad for you; praying for you. xoxo

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  26. My heart is breaking for you. I could not imagine losing a parent, though I know some day I will. Know that he is with God and is well taken care of. God bless you and your family in your time of mourning.

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  27. Billie Jo - I am so SO sorry. I'm just now seeing this, since my internet time has been spotty. My heart just breaks for you and your family, you will all be in our prayers!

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  28. Hi Billie Jo...please accept my condolences on the death of your dearest father. What a wonderful, supportive, loving man. And he had to be strong...six women in the house?? God bless him.
    That card had me tearing up. Of course you kept it...and that beautiful hug photo too... I often wonder why God wants us to love so deeply just to say goodbye. I still don't know why.
    My prayers are with you my friend. May our Lord hold you and your family in the palm of his hand. And help you stand when it's just too hard to keep going. Thank you for letting us all know. Judging from all the comments, you have many friends who want to pray for you.
    Your Dad wouldn't be surprised. He always knew what a jewel you are.
    Blessings and prayers,
    Ceil

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  29. Dear sweet friend...I don't know what to say. My whole heart is with you right now. I will lift your beautiful family up in my prayers. I will remember all the sweet things you have written about your wonderful dad. Sending lots of love to you all.
    Elizabeth

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  30. Billie Jo, I am so sorry for your loss. What a beautiful tribute to your Dad. I know he will be surely missed. My prayers are with you and your family now. Sending hugs your way. xo

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  31. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord...
    This was truly a beautiful tribute to your father. Thank you for sharing.
    Peace be with you and your family.

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  32. Oh sweet girl, I'm so sorry I missed this post. After you said in one of your comments that you dad had passed, I've been thinking about you. Seems like so many of us have known this loss. I know you are still grieving and I pray for you. What a handsome man. Blessings and prayers as you continue to adjust.

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  33. My new bloggie friend, I cannot believe I am just now seeing this!

    My heart is broken for you.

    This is a beautiful tribute to your father. I love hearing people's stories; for it is in them that you truly get to know a person and keep their memory alive. He sounds like an incredible man.

    I will be praying for you and the rest of your family. I cannot even imagine what you are going through and am so sorry for your loss. Daddies really are very special people. God bless.

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  34. This was beautiful, Billie Jo. The pictures are so dear to go along with the story. That is so special that your dad and mom made a trip to Fatima, and brought back Rosaries for all of you. I think your son resembles him. I love that picture of him and your mom eating pumpkin cake. Wow, they had five daughters! May God wrap around you like a blanket of comfort and love today, Billie Jo, as you are thinking of your beloved dad. And you know, he raised a wonderful daughter.

    ~Sheri

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  35. Such a beautiful heartfelt tribute to your precious dad... I feel like I know him now, you described him in such sweet, special ways. You look like him too! Isn't that wonderful that your son looks like him too! Such a blessing to have had such a wonderful father. May your heart be comforted today in your memories of his life.

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  36. Wonderful tribute. I miss my father too. He was born in 1935 too and died with Covid on march 2021. He loved gardenning and I also love it too. So sad. So difficult. God bless you.

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Thanks so much for saying hello!

Billie Jo