The only way to have a friend is to be one....Ralph Waldo Emerson

Monday, November 15, 2010

Happy Birthday Dad - His Story, My Memories

Wishing you Dad a Happy 97th Birthday today. Yes, my Dad would have turned 97 years old today. Now, please don't let out the secret of his real age, (he'd probably skin me alive) cause if anyone ever asked Dad how old he was, the answer was always 39!



Dad was born November 15, 1913 in French Creek, NY.







Dad's Baby Shoes and Ring

He grew up on a Homestead there, rode his horse to the School House and helped out with the farming.







A picture of my Dad from 1928, he was 15 at the time.







Dad, Grandpa Theodore John and Grandma Myra
(even though I never got to meet them, I know they would have been wonderful Grandparents)



He always had an interest in horses. In his younger years, he owned Race Horses and traveled a circuit to local racetracks with his horses and jockeys.


Dad was a Drummer, playing in different bands throughout the years.



He owned and operated a trucking business and was also a farmer. He hauled livestock to Auctions, Fairs, etc. One of Dad's many trucks in the background of above photo.

Dad married Mom on April 12, 1971 and I came along in 1974. Can you say, "WOW", Dad was 61 years old at the time and Mom was 44.
(I can remember growing up and folks who didn't know us always thought they were my Grandparents, but let me tell you, Dad was always very proud to say, "No, she's my Daughter!)

He continued to drive his Cattle Truck and took Mom and I along most everyday. From the time I was in diapers, I rode in that truck. It was a Cab-over International, a red one, when it was nap-time I was tucked into a make-do bed built behind the truck seat (of course that was before carseats).
I have many good memories of the many miles we traveled in that truck.

Just before I went to school, Dad got his leg broke while loading a cow. He couldn't work so he stayed home with me while a family friend and Mom went on the daily route. We played "school" everyday and he/we fashioned a way of getting the door open to the freezer room so I could get at the ice cream.

Dad was always there for my school activities and concerts (I could always depend on trip to McDonald's afterwards :). Very snowy trips to the Christmas Tree Farm to pick out a real tree, it HAD to be a real tree. Playing Cribbage (it's how I learned to add), making barbie doll sized pancakes that he would happily eat for breakfast and him stealing my slice of bread just when I got it buttered. I could go on and on and on, but I won't....

He was always there, the best father a girl could ask for and always so proud. And likewise, I'm proud to say that he's my Dad!



November 15, 1913 - November 26, 1991


Love and Miss You Dad......

Traci Jean aka TJ



*Link to Previous Post*
http://yorkmountainprimitives.blogspot.com/2010/11/my-workhorse-and-her-team.html









6 comments:

  1. What a fabulous post Traci. There's nothing like a daughters love for her daddy! My daddy passed away in 2008. He was 86 when he died. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of him.
    Hugs to you and thanks for sharing your memories with us.
    AMY

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a wonderful post, about your Dad
    and all those wonderful memories! They
    did have car seats, way back then, I had
    one for my son, when he was little and
    that was 1969-1970! Thanks for sharing!

    Bear Hugs~Karen

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Tracy,

    What wonderful memories, God Bless your father. I've been away for a while, hope you are doing well..

    Simple blessings,
    ~Ronda(the crafty crow)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Amy, you are so sweet and right on the money, I think of him everyday. Hugs to you, my friend.

    Kath, Thanks for stopping by for a visit. How have you been? Enjoying the beautiful weather we've been having in our neck of the woods?

    Karen, yes, they probably did have carseats then, LOL....I guess I just never rode in one ;)

    Hi Ronda, it has been awhile...so nice of you to stop by....

    ReplyDelete
  5. what a wonderful post about your day...he would be so proud of you!!!..thanks for sharing.;)

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for visiting & taking time to leave your kind words for me...♥♥

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