I thought since there is still so much energy and time being devoted to the big (to tiny) move and I really don't want to blab about that anymore that I would revisit my Vision & Verb posts, starting with the very first one and since today is this sweet man's birthday again it seems very right.
Faith & Hope
February 18th 2012
This photo of my dad, Johnny Paul, has been around for so long, but I am seeing it in such a different way lately. After being a mom and a grandma, and finally becoming a grown up, I can see the very young, very scared boy. A quiet, sweet country boy from Georgia wondering how he came to be on this cold mountain in a far away land.
And I can see now, too, how it was for him when he finally came home. He came home to meet Dorothy, a city girl with a pack of sisters, and the two of them married and had three daughters. The man was surrounded by women, all pretty high spirited, to say the least.
Thu the years the families grew - an outrageous amount of cousins who turned into our own crazy, wild pack. And of course, there were all the uncles. I remember at so many family get togethers, all of these slim, handsome men gathered to the side, away from the noise, having serious conversations. Usually Uncle Melvin, who had lost a leg during a ship battle, could lighten things up with one of his jokes and big laugh.
After knowing war so constantly in our daily lives for so many years now, I hope and pray that those uncles were helping each other deal with things after they were home. I don't think they talked much about it to the women, I know as girls we did not give it a lot of thought, as sad as that seems.
But I see that we can have faith in the girls around now, in countries all over, with their sharp minds and deep passions. I truly believe that this next generation, all these young people who want peace and good lives, will not tolerate another decade like we've had and they will nurture a
belief in a better way.
I think they will get it right.
Happy Birthday, Daddy, once again ~~ love you, miss you.
I did not include here all the wonderful, warm comments left by the sweet V&V sisters when this was published but I read them all again just now and I'm reminded of what a special group of women who were pulled together for this project, of all the encouragement, learning and fun we had ~
I really miss it so much.
O this is soooo lovely! And I can see you in him....I'm sending you much love from your Vision and Verb sister in Ireland xxx
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad we've managed to remain connected. :)
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful post...and I so agree with your thoughts. My daddy never talked about the war until later when I was much older...and only when I asked him about it. What I really enjoy is how much we (V&V) have all stayed together...continuing the support! That's so special!
ReplyDeleteA wonderful post, Susan, and such a moving tribute to your father. Just beautiful. xo
ReplyDeleteThank you, all of you sweet blogging women ... it's a lovely thing to show up for each other.
ReplyDeleteOh... such a wonderful tribute. I was not part of vision & verb (I too miss it very much) when you first published this post but I am glad I am readin it now. Ancestors are such important to me...
ReplyDeleteIn reading this loving post, it is easy to think about how young these men were when they went off to war. Too much to absorb at any age, but way too much in such youth. Sounds like he had a good life after he got back.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, Susan. It is so true that our perspective changes as we advance in years because of the experiences with the world and its joys and sorrows. I thank you for "sharing" this. He was, by the way, a very handsome young man.
ReplyDeleteA lovely tribute to you Father :-)
ReplyDeleteI too miss our collective journey at Vision & Verb xx
Your love for your father and family are shining bright... with such tenderness and understanding. Xo's
ReplyDeleteHello Susan, I found your blog via Catherine's Foxglove Lane. I have enjoyed reading about your father, and I hope that you are right that in the future they will find a better way.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jane, for stopping by ... appreciate the visit!
DeleteI remember your dad, Susan, from this post long ago....and that your roots are from Georgia, where I spent so much of my life. Strange that it took V&V to connect us for the first time. We could have met up with each other in my past life as you visited your many relatives!
ReplyDeleteBut today and now, we keep our V&V roots with the others who are still connected at the hip. It's been very precious!
very precious, indeed, my friend.
DeleteSo - where was I when everyone gathered here to remember our time together at V&V???? Sorry to be late to the party...and what a beautiful post Susan. Nice to see everyone here together - :-)!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you were out wandering the fields, on the shore, in the snow with your trusty pup & camera ... so happy you made it by!
Deleteit's funny how much more compassion and grace I have for my dad now
ReplyDeletethat I can see and relate to him as the boy and young man he was. He
seems so much more vulnerable now. Sweet and restorative.
Forgiveness flows easy these days.
Thanks for sharing,
Jennifer
It's a great pleasure reading this text about your dad, and the way you circled around to the present, the time, the family...beautiful.
ReplyDeleteAs much as we are supposed to live especially in the present moment, there are occasions worth getting back to the past. I love this remembering and find the photo special. It is a beautiful tribute to your dad, Susan.
ReplyDeleteLovely post, too much love for your dad, for all your beloved family.
ReplyDeleteWonderful read dear Susan x
ReplyDelete