There once was a lady
who was in a hospital, who had just given birth to a set of twins. Not having names picked out, she was struggling to pick just the right names for her 2 new boys. The doctor,upon seeing her dilemma, told her "Just look out the window and pick the first 2 names you think of." Later when the boys were in school, the teacher asked each student to stand up and state their name for the class. When it came to one twin, he stood up and said his name was Elmtree. The teacher said "No, whats your real name?" and once again he replied "Elmtree". The teacher; thinking he was just trying to make trouble, told him to go home until he was ready to tell them his real name. As the boy got up and headed toward the door; He turned around and said to his twin brother, "Come on Birdshit, she wont beleive you either."  This Joke was told for
two reasons;
It is the earliest memory I have of Dad & secondly, he would have wanted us all to smile today; because he loved to tell Jokes and make others smile... We beleive DAD got
what he wished for.
He was strong and able until the day he passed away. When he went into the hospital with the infection, he had worked across the road at the mill and shop right up until suppertime and then he also picked the eggs yet. Some may think his time on earth was cut short, but if you really stop & think about it, this is how DAD would have wanted it. He was on the phone Sunday morning with
Mom and my sister letting them know what had to be done to keep the
chicken barn from getting too warm and suffocating the chickens. Earlier
in the week, DAD had asked Mom to bring up some book work so he could keep
busy. Another day, I recall DAD asking me to keep trying a phone number
that he couldn't get thru to for some business matters.
Some non-working things that our father
enjoyed while he was at the hospital
was to start a book called "Lincoln, the Unknown". He was fascinated by how difficult life was for Abe and talked to me several times about it. I never knew DAD to be much of a reader, except for his Logging Magazines, so it seemed pretty nice that DAD had found some enjoyable reading to pass his time while in the hospital. On another day, some of his kids had brought upsome lottery tickets for DAD to scratch off; and DAd gave the tickets to the Grandchildren so he could watch their excitement as they scratched them off. That was an absolute trademark of DAD's; GIVING TO OTHER'S SO THEY COULD ENJOY and his enjoyment came from seeing others happy. Another special time came from the night I
went up to see him
and we watched the TWINS GAME on Kirby Puckett Night. Now you have to remember one thing tho, I went up to see my Father not to watch the twins play ball cause they were not doing that good this season anyhow. we shared some peanuts, some conversation, and some quiet time and marveled at how they could give up a 3 run lead in the 9th inning. Well with a little armchair coaching, We did get them to pull it out in the extra innings. But seriously though, DAD would give anything and everything to others tomake life a little more enjoyable for those around him. That is when he was the happiest! There was the time that despite having 12 children to care for and support and a little angel in heaven to guide him; He took in his mother-in-law, another time he took in a foster son and he let the neighbors live in our home while theirs was being built. These are only a small sampling of DAD's generousity, but it says loud and clear...that this was the type of man he was all of his life. DAD never had alot
of money, but he was the richest man us kids have known.
"Daddy never was the cadillac kind, said some things did not glitter and shine, taught us that love was the one thing money couldn't buy... Just this once I hope Daddy enjoyed the ride, 'cause DADDY never was the cadillac kind." Excerpt from "Daddy Never Was Cadillac Kind" by Confederate Railroad DAD was the strong, understanding,and forgiving leader of his 12 children. Dad always seemed to be at his best when his children were going thru those awlful 'growing pains'. Dad was never judgemental and always had time to listen and accept us for who each of us were as individuals... no matter which of lifes lessons we were currently learning. Some of the best times was just spent going to a restaurant and sitting and talking wiht DAD. He was such a good listener. When us kids would worry if we had enough money for our children, Dad would just say "all they need is a your love." Dad seemed to take pride in the fact that he could help us all so much, even when We thought we were the ones who knew better. Another fond memeory was to be Deer hunting with him. He just loved to be in the woods and outdoors where it was peaceful and quiet. One of the most important messages DAD left with us kids was times spent with our own children is precious and very special; like the times he would take us to the 4th of JULY fireworks and then to the Dairy Queen afterwards each and every year. Another legacy DAD left wiht his children explained why we ALL drive down the middle of the road... "We pay taxes on both sides... so why not use both" DAD would always say. "So go rest high on that mountain; Your work here on earth is done. Go to the heavens a shouting; Look for the Father and the Son." excerpt from "Go Rest High On that Mountain" by Vince Gill
ON BEHALF OF OUR MOTHER , MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS AND HIS GRANDCHILDREN AND 'DAD' HIMSELF- THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE TO REMEMBER: SUNNY AND HIS SUNNY DISPOSITION FOR WHAT HE REALLY WAS; A PEACEFUL , LOVING HUSBAND, FATHER, GRANDFATHER AND FRIEND DAD's INTRO-PAGES FAMILY INTRO
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