My last Father’s Day with my Daddy was in 2001. Although I am not able to remember that day, if he were here today, I would make the whole day a day that would be unforgettable. I’d be up early making breakfast for him. He would enjoy eggs and grits, biscuits and milk gravy, waffles with all the toppings, or one of our favorites from my childhood…

“Flying Saucers” (source)He would make flying saucers for me when I was a little girl. Does anyone else remember these?

This little sandwich press device was filled with a white bread, peanut butter and jelly smothered sandwich (a LOT of jelly), then pressed together and heated on the stove-top. These were always a treat.

After having breakfast with Daddy, I would want to hear him sing. Whether it was at his church in the choir, standing behind the pulpit, or standing behind my aunt Debbie or Brother-in-law Stuart as they played the piano at home. I’d so enjoy hearing his valiant tenor voice again.

Later in the afternoon, it would be fun to play catch with Daddy again. He was a sports enthusiast and always enjoyed a good game of tennis. He attempted to teach me, but I didn’t pick tennis up easily, and wasn’t able to enjoy the game with him. Softball was more my speed and he taught me everything I know about the game. Daddy coached the girls softball team at Faith Memorial Baptist Church when I was in high school. I’d love to have pictures to share, but cannot find them. I would not have become involved in playing softball had it not been for him. Because of this activity, I have many wonderful memories of my time at the ball park. I also have great memories of skiing with him. He taught me to ski in Vermont in the early 90’s and I had the opportunity to enjoy additional ski trips with him later on. He was so good that he would ski with a video camera instead of ski poles. This was quite a feat in the days preceding the Go Pro.

He loved a good movie. John Wayne was his favorite actor, but he also enjoyed all of Elvis Presley’s movies, especially Kid Galahad. He thought Groundhog Day with Bill Murray was hilarious. After seeing this movie he tried to tell me about it. He got so tickled that he could hardly complete a sentence. The last movie we watched together was Breakfast at Tiffany’s. I believe we would end our day together with a good movie.

He loved to have a good time.He had a bit of a mischievous streak

He loved his girls

I remember walking into the kitchen on the morning of my sixteenth birthday and Daddy had the stereo cued to play “Sixteen Candles“. On June 1, 2001, Daddy stopped by my house on his way to work that morning, to wish me a happy birthday. In addition to the traditional 7:52 AM call that he and my Mama always made to me on my birthday, this was an extra special treat that day.

I learned to love music from the 50’s and 60’s era, as well as Gospel music such as Willie Wynn and the Tennesseans.

Okay… so maybe I don’t LOVE Willie Wynn like I do the music from the 50’s and 60’s, but the memory makes me smile.

Daddy was a spiritual person and a godly man. In the last years of his life, his spirituality took a turn that made him seem like a man who truly walked with God. He talked with me about this at times and I determined that the special relationship began with a workbook he used called Experiencing God.