My Daddy, John L. Houston passed away on February 7, 2003. This day is hard, even all these years later. I have learned to be gentle with myself on February 7th. It helps to remember good memories and think about how fortunate we were to have each other all those years.
How we grieve is unique to each person. I’ve learned, I grieve deeply for the people who meant the most in my life. Time eases the raw feelings but grief never truly ends. We just aren’t created that way emotionally.
Today I thought about how my Daddy taught me to care for others by his example. I credit Daddy for instilling in me a work ethic which meant my children could count on me to provide for them. I remembered frigid cold days when my Daddy woke up early to work outside to provide for our family of five children. I look back on the hardships he endured to care for us. I never felt my Daddy resented the effort he put into providing for us. I learned later in life, not everyone who has children behaves this way to their children.
My Daddy was a perfectionist who liked doing a task to the best of his ability. I knew if I was being taught something that my Daddy was a good teacher. He was patient and understood how to adapt to whichever child he was working with at the time. This was such a gift.
I’m thankful for these memories. They help me feel connected at a time when I feel alone and far away from my Daddy. For now, memories are all we have until the great reunion on the “other side”.
Blessings, Nancy
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