I am trying desperately to give you a vision of my father, which I find impossible to do. He is strong in a silent way. He gives the world light, at least my world. He is a hard working man and a man with ethics. His laughter can sound like a hearty chuckle or an undying hysterical giggle. We have been sent away from the dinner table by my step mother for laughing uncontrollably. He hung out with my friends, to a point, when they were at the house. They all adored him. He and I used to go to classic cars shows when our schedules allowed us. He listened to my bubble gum pop and I knew all the words to songs like �Leader of the Pack�. He told me a few stories of the time he spent in Vietnam, but only one was truly horrible. The rest were good times with his Navy buddies, most of whom may not have made it home as he did. He does still wake with a jump, still expecting a war I think, in his subconscious.
He has been hard on me at times, mostly with good damn reason. I wasn�t an evil teenager, but I cannot lie. I pulled some shit just to see what I could get away with. Some though just because it was fun . I contributed to his insanity, and to my step mother�s, in a grand way. Some of my best work, really. They recovered and live a wonderful life in Florida. I think I even taught them a few things along the way.
For all the wonderful things he has taught me I can�t think of one way to repay him. Perhaps the closest I can come is to pass all the qualities he so generously gave me on to my children. I see him sparkling in their eyes sometimes. So, thank you Daddy, for the light in their eyes. For that I will forever be in your debt.
RENE�.
Now, the first thing I should tell you about Rene is this, we have not always been friends. I think for a fair chunk of time we actually hated each other. Well, actually, I know I hated her. I can not rightly speak on her behalf. It was never because I felt that she was replacing my mother either. Never entered my mind. I was dumped on her, and she resented my mother through me. Plain and simple. I don�t blame her. I�ve felt that same resentment. I felt like she was too involved in my life, and yet I really wanted a mother so badly I could taste it in my tears. Yet I hated her anyway, with a passion. We have made a turn around after a long tumultuous relationship, and I am extremely happy we have. I think I have learned things of importance from her also. Some very important things actually.
One of the most important things I learned is organization. It seems insignificant, yet with 5 children of my own, it is one of my most practiced lessons. Rene left notes everywhere! She had list and notes and reminders of every shape and color, all over the house. Very smart woman, I�m telling you. You always knew what to do and when to do it and HOW to do it! She was amazing as far as organization! A genius!
I also earned the value of tradition and family from Rene. Every year we gathered people from my father�s family, her family, family friends, and in later years, my friends and boyfriends. They would all come and share the feast and the festivities. Music, laughter, food, and some of the funniest stories you�d ever hear. I thank Rene for those things. I thank her for the feeling that filled me when I saw everyone in the house with smiles on their faces and joy in their hearts. These thanks come today with the knowledge that getting ready for the holidays is more stressful then I thought it was at the time. She did most of the preparations on her own. Praise the Step mom!
