personal; dad;

[julchen11]

It's unbelievable. On Saturday one year ago my dad passed away.
So many things happened since then. Good things and not so good things. But life goes on.
I feel very blessed to get to know him for about 48 years, other people don't have that much luck.

Life wasn't easy for him, not always.
At the age of 12 he lost his mother because of an accident, at the age of 13 he lost his father because of a pneumonia. His older sisters weren't able to take him to their houses so most of the time he was at work in the coal mine here and the neighbours took care of him.
When he turned 18 he met my mom and 5 years later they got married in 1960. And then - hello, hello - I was born. The year after my mom was pregnant again but lost their son in months 6 of her pregnancy. My dad had to carry Frank's little white casket and he always told me that it was the heaviest weight he ever had to carry.
In 1963 my sister Claudia was born and in 1970 my sister Karin.
He was a wonderful father, worked very very hard for many years until at the age of 58 he had several strokes and a heart attack.
Then he discovered his hobby as a carpenter again and he was working on little cribs until Christmas 2008.

He didn't say that much but he always told us 'stay true, don't look back and don't think less of yourself'.
He was a master of words,  he loved reading and told me how to read properly and he gave me my Sunday words (the word for this Sunday was JOY).  

I miss him but I know he's watching over me - each and every day.
Have a wonderful day, daddy! I'll go now to my garden and I'll take you and my friends with me.

Love and biggest hugs, 
Julchen

Comments

[mews1945.livejournal.com]

Your dad must have been a wonderful man. *hugs* I'll be thinking of you today, Juls.

[the-mad-hobbit.livejournal.com]

I SO know where you're coming from! Your dad sounds so much like mine! I lost mine a little more than two years ago but I was priviledged to have him as long as I did.

*goes with you to the garden, then gives you a BIG hug in the sun!

Hugs,
Rach

[shirebound]

Oh Julchen, what a beautiful tribute. You were one of the lucky ones to have such a wonderful father.

*enormous hugs and loves*

[ink-gypsy.livejournal.com]

It's good to have memories, especially happy ones. I lost both of my parents to serious illness, and for the longest time I was only able to remember them the way they were at the end.

I love the notion of your Sunday words, and that your father put such store in reading and passed that love on to you. I'm glad he's watching over you.

[gamgeefest.livejournal.com]

Sounds like your father was a great and inspiring man. You must be proud of him. (hugs)

[i-o-r-h-a-e-l.livejournal.com]

*hugs you gently*

[slightlytookish]

*hugs you*

[verangel.livejournal.com]

What a wonderful man and what a beautiful legacy he has in you. I am sure he IS watching you and with your heart, I am sure that is why your garden grows with such beauty.
hugs you close xooxoxoox love v

[primula-baggins.livejournal.com]

*hugs* My father died when I was 38, and I miss him to this day.

How precious that you were blessed with such a good father.

[majblomma.livejournal.com]

*HUGS*

[rakshi.livejournal.com]

It sounds like you had an amazing father. No surprise that he left us an amazing daughter.

Love....

[sayhello.livejournal.com]

Your father sounds like a great guy! I'm glad you got to have him for as long as you did, and that you have such wonderful memories of him!

*hugs*
Hewene

[lijahlover.livejournal.com]

Well he sounds like a great man who dealt with lots of heartache. Karin is my age I noticed a 1970 baby.


*huga close*

[addie71.livejournal.com]

He sounds like a wonderful father, Julchen. *hugs tight*

[carolina30363.livejournal.com]

Hugs you gently

[belleferret.livejournal.com]

*massive hugs sweetie*

[cookiefleck.livejournal.com]

Your post is a very nice tribute to your dad. *hugs*

[aliensouldream.livejournal.com]

I'm very sorry for your loss, my love. It doesn't surprise me that your memories of him are so fresh and loving. I'm very glad you had such a relationship with him to treasure.

*hugs you close*

[claudia603.livejournal.com]

♥ you. Bless you and your father. <3

[bellewood.livejournal.com]

What a lovely tribute to a lovely man.

((love&hugs))

[slipperieslope.livejournal.com]

What a wonderful, wonderful man and he was your father! I would love to know more about your Sunday words, dear.

((hugs))

[peripety]

He sounds like a very, very special man. How lovely you have such great memories.

Hugs

[babydracky.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for sharing about your dad with us.
I feel really privileged and grateful that you're trusting me enough to share your so precious memories with me.
Your dad didn't have an easy life but reading your words I know he was a happy man.
I'm happy you had your dad next to you and his love. It is so important. I wish I had my dad with me too.
I'm pretty sure your dad is looking after you♥

[prisca1960.livejournal.com]

Oh Julchen, your dad sounds like a very spexial man, just like you are a special woman. No wonder, with this dad around.

[romeny.livejournal.com]

It's beautiful you have such lovely memories. *hugs*

[aredhelebenesse.livejournal.com]

Oh dear, your dad passed away last year? That's surely hard to bear! It sounds he was a brave and hard working man, all his life long. As long as you keep all the good memories in mind, he's not gone at all, you know.
*hugs you tight*

[estelanui.livejournal.com]

He must have been a wonderful father and 48 years with him were a great gift. He will be in your heart forever.
Thanks for sharing this lovely memory with us.
*hugs*

[mechtild.livejournal.com]

That's a beautiful tribute, Julchen, for someone who sounds like he was a beautiful dad, loving and kind. :)

[jan-u-wine.livejournal.com]

((((((((((((((((((((Julchen))))))))))))))

that is simply one of the most beautiful things I have ever read, my friend. The truest and most beautiful things come when our hearts engage our minds, and that is certainly the case here. The love between you and your father is palpable: i feel it, as if it were a lovely wind, sighing amongst the trees, a ray of sunlight *touching* the bench he made for you. I'm so happy that you have these wonderful memories.

love,
jan

[hildigard-brown.livejournal.com]

What a strong man your father was, to have gone through such heartbreak and yet emerge triumphant, with a wife and 3 loving daughters to remember him. Sweet sweet memories.. *squishes you*