This was my Dad . . . legally my "step-father" . . . when he graduated
from high school in the 1930's at Walla Walla High School
(yep, Walla Walla, Washington). I choose this photo
because it's also graduation season for many
high school students right now (yo
Eric Von Eggers in
Wilsonville!).
I also choose this photo because it shows what a promising
young man he was--with dreams, like all of us!
I lost my wonderful Dad when he was
only 54 years young (I'm almost
57 now) of a rare form of
cancer. I still can't
believe he is
gone.
There is a BEAUTIFUL story of how he fell in love with my Mom.
He worked at the Walla Walla Union Bulletin as a printer.
Each day, he'd go to a local cafe--just across the
alley from the newspaper--to have lunch.
LaNell (my Mom), was a waitress who
he quickly fell head-over-heels
in love with. They were
married THREE
months
later!
Mom had four of children (but my brother John was forced by the court
to stay with our paternal father--long story), but Robert J.
took the three of us on as his own when he married
the beautiful Rosa LaNell. Good thing he
had no idea what he was in for!!
I honestly never recall
thinking he was
ever *NOT*
my "real"
Dad.
On this eve of Father's Day, I celebrate my legal "step-father", but
truly my only REAL father: Robert J. Pudwill (tough
name to grow up with . . . "Puddy" to most of my
friends . . . and, if you call me that,
prepare to die! ;o)
Dad gave me a belief in my intellect. He gave me a sense
of true confidence I doubt I would have had without
him. He gave me a role model for a mate
who would be a gentleman. He
gave me a real understanding
of what it would be like
to take on someone
else's child(ren).
I had NO IDEA at the time of the sacrifices he made for
all of us . . . and the total love and devotion he
had for my mother astonishes me to this
day! I've never seen such a close
relationship since he and
my Mom were
together.
Never.
This is my loving tribute to my Father . . . Happy Father's, Dad!!!
"Rotsy-totsy-ra-ta-ta . . . boom-boom, boom-boom
boom-boom, BOOM!!!
xoxoxo
your daughter, Deborah Kaye
a.k.a. "Chubby", "Effy", "Best-Kept-Secret-in-the-Neighborhood"
. . . wish you could see me now!!!
6 comments:
WELL said Debi!!!! You certainly are very good at expressing the emotions and you captured perfectly how it was to grow up with our Dad. He accepted totally the responsibility of raising us which I am sure was not easy, especially when we got to high school - tee hee hee!!!! I have no memories before he came into our lives which just about says it all. Love and miss you Dad - Happy Father's Day.
Love you,
Peggy xoxo
That is beautiful! I was married before and then divorced. I met my wonderful hubbie and he whole heartily took on the responsibility of my young daughter with total love. To my daughter, Stephen is her Dad. He was there to show her how to ride a bike, discover the countries around the world on a globe in her room, wipe her tears and walk her down the aisle last September. She chose a man just like him. //what a blessing. Fatherhood is not always blood but who is there loving you. xoxo
I agree Peggy, very, very nice Debbie. You are a great writer.
I really enjoyed that. Thank you. Such a special Dad. a true Dad
Thanks for all the nice comments. Really, it's hard to capture what a special man my Dad was--I could go on and on. Some of you know I'm a pretty "unsung" step-momster . . . and I love Jim's children--even if they don't love me back. My Dad gave me more than he would ever know, just by the example he set with his devotion to his wife and her (wonderful!) children.
You all made my day by expressing your feelings! Blessings to you . . . .
xoxo Debi
...Lovely story thank you for sharing!
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