I spoke last night to the sea, And from the ocean a voice came back, 'Twas my Blue Jacket answering me
Ship ahoy, ship ahoy,
I threw a kiss in the ocean,
Ship ahoy, ship ahoy, ship ahoy,
There once lived a man who spent 21 years in the Navy, fought in World War II and the Korean Conflict...eventually came home from the sea, retired from the military as a Master Chief Petty Officer and settled his family in Idaho. He worked for another 30 years and retired at 63. He made a good home for his family, always provided all the material things they needed and was there whenever he was needed for anything else. It sounds a simple story when put that way...but it wasn't. *soft smile* He was a man, not large in stature, with a back as straight as a wall. To me, he was the biggest man I ever knew...we used to call him our "Rock of Gibraltor"...and he was. I can never think of a time when he was not there when we needed him. He must have helped his kids move a thousand times. Bailed some out of jail...(not me!), paid our rent when we couldn't, made sure we had food to eat, rushed us to hospitals, scolded us or lectured when we needed it....*L* made us always brush our teeth! He built pretty pink play furniture and clubhouses, rocked me to sleep... Cursed when he couldn't put together what the instructions said any three-year-old could. He made Sunday morning breakfasts of pancakes and would feed us 'til we were fit to burst! He was a modest man...and fiercely loyal. He could be so funny and tell jokes and amusing stories that kept us laughing for hours. Gifts were practical and much needed...but he had trouble receiving them in return. He never knew what to say when someone gave to him in return, he didn't know how to say thank you without being embarrassed. He never got many gifts as a child and wasn't sure how to take them. He would thank us, but never made a fuss...amazing how many of those things we found, even after they were old and worn, still kept and cherished. Papa had always wanted an electric train when he was a little boy. And finally....on his 65th birthday, I had the honor of giving him one. I had never seen such a look of wonder in his beautiful brown eyes! Each birthday and Christmas after that, one of us would add something to it until it became quite a collection. He loved to show it to his grandchildren and great grandchildren...He said it made him feel young again! Papa believed in education. He wanted us all to go as far in school as we possibly could....even if we did it later in life. He still took classes at the university after he retired. He believed that family was everything. And that a family that stood together could withstand anything in this world. He was incredibly strong and stoic but cried for the loss of loved pets and lost loved ones. And he wrote beautiful poetry to my mother..... He always was there to lend a hand, a bit of money...or just some moral support if that was all you needed. Or to give a hug or hold you when you cried....and he held me more times than I can count for that! *soft smile* From the first moment of my life that he held me in his arms to the last moment of his when I held him...I felt the warmth of his love. You fought the good fight...battled longer than most. Your gentle and loving concern for my sweet mother and for all your children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, even at the end, was almost too heartbreakingly beautiful to see. And you believed in me....Thank you Papa... You will always be my hero, the rock upon which the waves of my life crash and break. Wherever I am, wherever I go, you are with me...always. Thank you for helping me to believe that there are still wonderful, loving men in this crazy mixed up world of ours. I will keep the promises I made that last day as you held my hand...heard me tell you that I loved you....squeezed my hand so tight, then were swept away.... If there are oceans in the heavens, I know you are once again sailing on them, Sailor Boy, and sending kisses our way.....
"All men have the stars," he answered, "but they are not the same things for different people. For some, who are travelers, the stars are guides. For others they are no more than little lights in the sky. For others, who are scholars, they are problems. For my businessman they are wealth. But all these stars are silent. You--you alone--will have the stars as no one else has them-- ...... In one of the stars I shall be living. In one of them I shall be laughing. And so it will be as if all the stars were laughing, when you look at the sky at night. . . You--only you--will have stars that can laugh!" Antoine de Saint-Exupery
I would like to add a very special thank you to "Himagain" for touching up my father's picture for this page. He did a wonderful job! I cannot thank him enough! Hugs to Himagain!!!
 Email Ms Jasmin
 visitor to this site since July 20, 1998.
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