Saturday, November 27, 2010

Dad

It's been a quiet two days around here.  Thanksgiving was a time of reflection, and I won't stick my nose outside the door on Black Friday, so I just kept reflecting.  In these two days, my thoughts have turned often to my Dad.  He was the anchor of my life, the steady, loving presence whose love was always there, always unconditional.  My Aunt once said that "Dick was born a gentleman, he didn't have to learn how." 

So, I thought I'd share a few pictures of him with you all.  There aren't many, and, as I don't have a scanner, they aren't the best in quality, but I hope you will be able to get a picture in your mind's eye of the man who was always at the center of my life.

This is Dad when he graduated from Mechanic's Institute.  Dad was born in 1903, so this picture would have been taken somewhere around 1921.  Dad didn't finish high school, but went to technical school instead.  Mechanic's Institute later became the Rochester Institute of Technology.


Dad was a very happy bachelor, until he met my Mom.  He was 40 when he married her, and 45 when I was born.  This is the picture that my Mom always carried in her wallet.  I think that it was probably taken in the late 1930's or early 1940's.  When she died, I put it in my wallet.

  
And, this picture, with my Mom, was taken in the 1970's.  It's the only portrait I have of them together.  He just grew handsomer, as he grew older.


People say that I look like my Mom, but that I have my Dad's personality.  That's fine with me.  I couldn't think of a more wonderful person to take after.  Though, I think I am very glad that I got Mom's hair, rather than Dad's lack of it.

19 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

LOL!

What a sweet post! I love the photo of the two of them together! Thanks for sharing your 'rock'.

Vicki Lane said...

Love the jaunty pose by the car! He was, indeed, a handsome fellow!

Sharon said...

You know something, Louise, Looking like either parent, you were bound to be lovely!

Sometimes it is good to look back and remember our loved ones, shed a tear and many a smile over the memories!

I, too, stayed home, wouldn't have budged if I could!

XXX

Lori Skoog said...

Your Dad was one handsome dude! Yep, I think you look like your Mom too. A very nice tribute.

Terry said...

What a lovely couple. I agree with Lori - your Dad was one handsome dude. My husband had a photo of his Dad as a young man posed with a car too. He kept it in his wallet until one day he put his pants in the washer along with his wallet. Don't do that, Louise!

Jim said...

Good thing you have your Mom's hair!
What a nice tribute to your Dad, Louise. It's so good for the soul to do this on occasion.
Thanks for thinking I know about retro stuff! Really I know only a little and learn more from some of the people I follow on blogs. But if I can ever help, let me know and I or someone I know will help.
Jim

R. Burnett Baker said...

A wonderful tribute, and something to be thankful for! Thanks for your comment today on my page... Hopefully we won't get too much snow tonight and tomorrow in the Flower City....

Rick

Judith said...

I love posts like this. What a nice tribute to you dad. BTW, US blogs keep referring to "Black Friday". What on earth is this?

Louise said...

Judith, Black Friday is the day after our Thanksgiving Day, when, traditionally, all the stores hold tremendous sales and open at crazy early hours. People stand in line for hours in front of the stores waiting for them to open, so that they can stampede in, push and be rude to their fellow shoppers, all so they can save a few dollars on stuff that they probably don't need anyways.

It's called Black Friday because, traditionally, it was the day that stores would begin to operate in the black, after running at a loss (in the red) up to then. The Christmas season has always been the time of year when stores made their money. Of course, now that all the stores start celebrating Christmas before Halloween is over, I don't know when they actually do begin to operate in the black.

Tina said...

Wow what beautiful treasured pictures to remember your dad and mom by. Those are what I call priceless treasures.

IsobelleGoLightly said...

I like to see family photos!!! Your dad was very handsome and you DO look a lot like your mom but in that photo of your Dad as a young man I can see your nose a little bit. My lady has a scanner and some day you can bring your photos up and she'll scan them to a disc.

Judith said...

Ah, thanks Louise. Now I understand. Black Friday sounds a little like Boxing Day here in NZ, when the stores open with reduced prices and everyone goes shopping with their gift tokens. I've never heard of anyone queueing though, so it's more laid back and relaxed, bearing in mind that it's high summer. Even so I always avoid it.

Sandra said...

I was really touched by this post. Parents - we can be so thankful for ours.

Adirondackcountrygal said...

How wonderful!

fromsophiesview said...

Such a beautiful thought that you would show us your father. He was a very handsome gent.Your mother was very fortunate. My Dad died when I was 2 years old, so I never had a chance to grow up with him and learn about fatherly things. It's a long story so I won't go on, but suffice it to say I am 60 now and have lived a full life and I can only say I know only my experiences. Spending time remembering and taking time for his memory is so very important..do it as much as you can. Sophie's Dad Ron

John Going Gently said...

louise
I love these little snippets of history!

The Redneck Rosarian said...

What a wonderful tribute to your dad.

Inger said...

Your father does look like such a sweet and kind man. What a wonderful tribute to him. -- Inger

Laughing Orca Ranch said...

Such a beautiful post. You are very lucky to have had such a wonderful Father in your life. Your parents were a very handsome couple.

~Lisa