Christmas is Coming

Dear Dad,

I'm listening to your Christmas CD today, "Through the Eyes of a Child". Carol of the bells is especially moving to me. I imagine I am downtown at the Roof with Wes. We look out the window next to our table and see Temple Square beautifully lit for the holiday season. I look over at the white piano, and there you are, smiling at me, playing a special song. I imagine going over to you and telling you how wonderful you are and how much I love listening to your music and just how much I love you. I really do and I'm so proud of you for still trying to reach your dreams.

The last time I saw you was when Violet was born. You came that Monday night and visited with me. Sarah and Matt were there for a little while as well, but then they left and we were all alone. You took pictures with your camera phone and you were so proud of me and thought my little girl was so precious and beautiful. You gave me a little live tree that was all decorated for Christmas. We talked and you reminded me how this past week was the anniversary of your heart attack. You talked about how wonderful life is.

I miss you. It is going to be hard this Christmas. I will think of where you are now and hope you will be celebrating too. Perhaps you are seated at a white piano playing music, hoping I'll be able to hear. I will try and leave my heart wide open this Christmas season so perhaps I will be able to feel a part of you there. I might cry and have some hard moments, but I don't want to shut down. I will watch my precious children. I will see their awe and wonder. I will remember you and know that you are watching them too.

I love you!

Liz

Honoring my Dad on Veteran's Day

I thought it would be fun to post some pictures of my dad from when he was a corpsman in the Navy. Corpsman are medical care givers as I have learned. I believe he served for just a few years and I really wish I knew more of his time in the service. One great memory I have is when Lydia invited him to a Veteran's Day Concert as her school. He was touched an honored to have been asked by his granddaughter to attend. He stood for the Navy song and smiled. When we went to the concert again this year I felt a loss and wished he was there to be honored again. I am super proud of my dad and it was fun to look through some of his pictures again from when he was in the Navy. Most of the time the pictures reside in a very old, worn, Navy bag. There is a white peace sign which appears to have been bleached on the side and under that "Bob".

I love the last picture where my dad appears to be pointing to his uniform :) Love you Dad!