More Like My Daddy
The Moon Is Rising
More Like My Daddy
By Anne Donegan Costas
I want to be more like my Daddy as I age. His sense of humor, his view of life, his optimism, his ability to forgive and to love never left until the day he died. He lived a life of dignity, generosity, love, and had a zest for life. He never tired of learning new things and was still being adventurous in his 80’s. Daddy encouraged us by the way he lived his life.
His Young Life
He came from a family with high morals, integrity, generosity, and great business sense. He and all his brothers were all successful in business, but I would think, if asked, they would say their families were more important than any business deal could ever be.
Middle Years
Daddy enjoyed being with his family. Although he enjoyed us as we got older he did spend time with us in the summers at our McQueeney lake home. The kids spent almost every minute of our waking hours in the water. Mom was the one who typically drove the boat and taught our friends how to ski because Daddy usually continued to work. He would drive into town. But he would take off a week or so to spend with us. He didn’t particularly like being idle. Ever. If he was sitting it was because he was reading or in older years on the computer.
His Older Years ~~~ My Adult Years
He was so much fun to be with. He and mom were probably my best friends after I was married. My mom and I were not especially close in really personal ways the way many women are. I could/can not relate to those friends of mine who say they talk to their moms every day and maybe more than once. I am like, “what do you talk about?” Anyway-we always had fun going out to dinner, traveling, and just being at their home or they at ours.
Wisdom
I don’t think the wisdom that comes with aging is much appreciated by many of the younger people. However, my observation in my family, is that we all respected our parents in that department. I remember one time I was telling him how much I loved, respected and admired him. As Daddy teared up and finally had to get a tissue, he shared with me that he was not that person. He continued explaining that it was HIS father who was the person I was describing. He and his family were very humble people.
In the End
Daddy died when he was 89. Just shy several months of his 90th birthday. He and mom had been married almost 71 years. Watching my Daddy grow older didn’t bother me for years because he maintained his ability to do almost anything he wanted. But as the years passed and I began to grapple with the fact that I would one day be without him on earth~~it made me sad.
But it was his last couple of weeks of his life that made yet another impression on me that will last me the rest of my life. He never become angry or bitter as some people do as they age. His personality never changed. He was more worried about Mama~~reminding us to take care of her and to always make sure she was all right. I loved him for so many reasons. But mainly just because he was who he was. He never saw himself as anyone special. But to me he was bigger than life. He was my Daddy and I want to be more like him!
Blessings~~~ **Father’s Role-Focus On The Family
Loved it.
Thanks Lynn! That means a lot! This is all new to me still so any encouragement
helps. 🙂
Anne