By Martha DeMeo January 20, 2017 in My Writing Sites

I Don’t Need Pictures To Remember

I Don’t Need Pictures To Remember

How far back can you remember things that happened in your life? I’m going through my mind and at almost 68 years old, I can still see things from well over 65 years ago. There are some things that I don’t need pictures to remember since I have them etched in my heart. My dad and I had great times that I can still see.

Growing up in a small rural town with my parents, grandparents, my older sister and later on, my little sister, this is some of what I remember.

When I was five years old, we had two baby pigs and I remember going out back to feed them with my dad. I also remember one day he butchered the pigs and it fed our family. Around the same age, I remember falling on the frozen creek and my dad running over to help me up.

I fast forward to when I was about ten years old and how I was always outside with my dad, helping in the garden, the yard and even helping him change the oil in the car.

Winter came and dad and I looked forward to waking up before anyone was even thinking of being awake and driving an hour away to Saratoga Lake only to walk over a mile out to go ice fishing. This is the one thing I could never figure out, why didn’t we park on the other side of the lake? LOL My feet would freeze but dad got the fire going in the ice shanty, pulled my boots off and warmed them up. I remember how excited I was when either of us would pull a fish through the hole in the ice. Then I remember the long walk back to the car, to do it all over again the next weekend. All the great memories I had with my dad that I can still see so vividly in my mind.

I remember all the Sunday drives with everyone piled in the station wagon to visit my aunt and uncle in Cambridge, where we got to spend fun times on the farm with my cousins. I now I’m happy to have been able to reconnect with my cousin “from the farm” where we had such great times. She has come down to Myrtle Beach the past few years and it’s great to be able to see her and her hubby, reminiscing back on the days of old.

On my wedding day, I remember dad opening the car door with a smile on his face and saying “I love you” as we started walking into the church. He was such a handsome dad!

I remember when we had a few of our grandchildren down visiting and how happy dad was to see them.

I remember what a wonderful time he and my mom had at their 50th Anniversary party and how sadness set in when mom slowly slipped away with Alzheimer’s.

I remember how lonely he was, not having his lifelong sweetheart with him after mom passed away in 2000. For the next six years, he waited to get back together with his lovely bride.

Dad ended up in the hospital with aspirating pneumonia but the doctor said he would be discharged in a few days. I remember telling dad about my new Harley Low Rider and I would ride it over to show him when he got home. I remember the call the next morning to get to the hospital. Hubby and I hurried over only to find that dad did go home, God carried him back home to my mom where they are now living happily together once again. Dad passed away January 20, 2006, exactly 6 years and 5 days after God reached down to take mom home.

I remember my younger sister, hubby and I at the funeral home making arrangements for dad…… and I remember riding my Harley there so dad could see it while watching down from Heaven. So many wonderful memories of a dad I love so much.

12 Discussion to this post

Patricia says:

January 20, 2017 at 11:45 am

Some wonderful memories of your father.

- Martha says:
  
  January 20, 2017 at 3:31 pm
  
  Thanks Patricia, I was the son he never had. LOL
  
The Savvy Age says:

January 20, 2017 at 12:49 pm

very sweet memories! oh how we miss our dads!

- Martha says:
  
  January 20, 2017 at 3:32 pm
  
  I love thinking back to my younger days Savvy Age. Sometimes I think it’s amazing when I can still picture me as a little girl with him, it seems so clear. Thanks for stopping by.
  
Nancy G says:

January 20, 2017 at 1:04 pm

He truly did lose all interest in living once mom passed. But their love story was such an inspiration to us all! Married after only one date and so in love that death only reunited them!

- Martha says:
  
  January 20, 2017 at 3:34 pm
  
  I don’t even remember him getting upset when mom put the car in the ditch heading to Sacandaga Nancy! LOL
  
Brenda says:

January 20, 2017 at 9:34 pm

I love that bike. Great post. What I sweet story of love.

- Martha says:
  
  January 21, 2017 at 4:31 pm
  
  Thanks Brenda, I had to ride it down so dad could see it <3
  
Sandy KS says:

January 20, 2017 at 11:46 pm

I know what you mean, I don’t need pictures of my sister, grandmother or Uncle. I see I can still see them like they were right here. I see my grandma and uncle in my dreams a lot. Not my sister since I dreamed she told me she was okay, she was in heaven to not to worry. But I remember her vividly. I am glad you can remember your dad. I hope your never forget him.

- Martha says:
  
  January 21, 2017 at 4:33 pm
  
  It’s great how our loved ones send us messages to let us know they are okay and not to worry. I’m sure you sister is looking down and guiding you everyday. Sometimes it seems like they are still her with me. Thanks for stopping by Sandy.
  
Shalini says:

January 22, 2017 at 10:45 am

I loved the beautiful images your words conjured up for me while I read this post. Cheers

- Martha says:
  
  January 22, 2017 at 1:51 pm
  
  Thank you Shalini, sometimes words just flow out the right way when I see beautiful pictures.

I Don’t Need Pictures To Remember

I Don’t Need Pictures To Remember

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