my dad
The day after my dad passed away a newspaper reporter asked me, “What are some of the most precious memories you have of your father?” I didn’t hesitate in my response.
I said I loved his sense of adventure, how he was always excited to experience something new. I said I loved how loyal he was to his friends and how committed he was to the organizations he belonged to. He was a real go-to guy—always willing to help.
I talked about what a great multi-tasker he was. He would try to fix a leaky pipe, a flat tire and install the TV antenna, even though his skills in each of those areas was lacking. I recalled how he supported my love for athletics, taking me to see the Bill Russell Celtics, Lew Alcindor in his rookie season with the Bucks, the Big O and Wilt. And I mentioned how he always supported my athletic endeavors—even though it really wasn’t the popular thing to do at the time.
Those times, along with packing my 250 Barbie dolls in the back of the Country Squire and traveling around the country are among my fondest memories of Dad.
But, I think the most important thing I revealed was this. As a daddy’s girl, I might have had my father wrapped around my little finger, but in turn, he had me wrapped around his heart.
I owe him so much. It was he who actually jumpstarted my journalism career by ringing me at 6 in the morning to tell me he had read about a summer journalism program at Berkeley. There was a catch, however. The deadline was that day. But we all know what God can do. And lo and behold, in the days before cell phones, fax machines and the internet, I was able to get it all done.
My bylines should actually read Miki Mose Turner.
We didn’t always get along though. He didn’t appreciate me always getting on him about his arterie-clogging, high-fat diet. And I wasn’t too keen on his criticisms regarding my hair. But I can’t ever remember arguing with my dad. I knew he loved me but I didn’t know how much until other people told me. Sometimes we try and see love even when we know it’s all about feeling it.
And if I have any regrets, one is that unlike Luther, I never got the opportunity to dance with my father. God knows he tried to teach me the jitterbug, the watusi and the lindy hop. I inherited his sense of adventure, but sadly, not his sense of rhythm. We never danced because I couldn’t.
I also regret that I didn’t take up golf when he tried to teach me as a kid. I thought the game was beyond boring, I couldn’t understand the scoring and the clothes weren’t really cool. Now, I am totally addicted to the game as he once was, but I’m still such a scrub.
Today, I am both relieved and saddened that dad has passed on. I am relieved because my Bible tells me that he will suffer no more. There will be no more pain or sorrow where he is now. He will now remember the things his illness made him forget and I trust that he is thankful, regardless of the way he passed, that he was blessed with a long and fruitful life.
I am relieved because that same book tells me that where he is, the streets are paved with gold and the only tears that are shed cascade down the happy faces of the righteous who have been granted eternal life. He is now among them, on the 7th tee with his 7-iron looking to bogey the next hole.
I am also saddened because he’s not physically here to slay the dragons that I will inevitably encounter as I grow even older. That’s what daddy’s do and my dad was the best dragon-slayer on the block.
No doubt, I will weep when I recall the good times in the future. Traveling the country with my dad and putting up with his annoying CB radio when all I wanted to do was listen to my Jackson 5 8-track. And I’m sure to get misty when I recall all the times I let him down.
Thankfully, however, he knew how much I loved and adored him and vice-versa. Our bond, along with the love and support I’ve received from my family and friends, will help sustain all of us as we mourn the loss of a good, honorable, loyal, giving and caring man.
Even though he’s gone, I am still strengthened by his spirit, his courage and his faith. I hope his new and old friends up in heaven realize just how very blessed they are to have him among them.
read by me on aug. 15, 2009 at my dad's homegoing service.
I said I loved his sense of adventure, how he was always excited to experience something new. I said I loved how loyal he was to his friends and how committed he was to the organizations he belonged to. He was a real go-to guy—always willing to help.
I talked about what a great multi-tasker he was. He would try to fix a leaky pipe, a flat tire and install the TV antenna, even though his skills in each of those areas was lacking. I recalled how he supported my love for athletics, taking me to see the Bill Russell Celtics, Lew Alcindor in his rookie season with the Bucks, the Big O and Wilt. And I mentioned how he always supported my athletic endeavors—even though it really wasn’t the popular thing to do at the time.
Those times, along with packing my 250 Barbie dolls in the back of the Country Squire and traveling around the country are among my fondest memories of Dad.
But, I think the most important thing I revealed was this. As a daddy’s girl, I might have had my father wrapped around my little finger, but in turn, he had me wrapped around his heart.
I owe him so much. It was he who actually jumpstarted my journalism career by ringing me at 6 in the morning to tell me he had read about a summer journalism program at Berkeley. There was a catch, however. The deadline was that day. But we all know what God can do. And lo and behold, in the days before cell phones, fax machines and the internet, I was able to get it all done.My bylines should actually read Miki Mose Turner.
We didn’t always get along though. He didn’t appreciate me always getting on him about his arterie-clogging, high-fat diet. And I wasn’t too keen on his criticisms regarding my hair. But I can’t ever remember arguing with my dad. I knew he loved me but I didn’t know how much until other people told me. Sometimes we try and see love even when we know it’s all about feeling it.
And if I have any regrets, one is that unlike Luther, I never got the opportunity to dance with my father. God knows he tried to teach me the jitterbug, the watusi and the lindy hop. I inherited his sense of adventure, but sadly, not his sense of rhythm. We never danced because I couldn’t.
I also regret that I didn’t take up golf when he tried to teach me as a kid. I thought the game was beyond boring, I couldn’t understand the scoring and the clothes weren’t really cool. Now, I am totally addicted to the game as he once was, but I’m still such a scrub.
Today, I am both relieved and saddened that dad has passed on. I am relieved because my Bible tells me that he will suffer no more. There will be no more pain or sorrow where he is now. He will now remember the things his illness made him forget and I trust that he is thankful, regardless of the way he passed, that he was blessed with a long and fruitful life.
I am relieved because that same book tells me that where he is, the streets are paved with gold and the only tears that are shed cascade down the happy faces of the righteous who have been granted eternal life. He is now among them, on the 7th tee with his 7-iron looking to bogey the next hole.
I am also saddened because he’s not physically here to slay the dragons that I will inevitably encounter as I grow even older. That’s what daddy’s do and my dad was the best dragon-slayer on the block.
No doubt, I will weep when I recall the good times in the future. Traveling the country with my dad and putting up with his annoying CB radio when all I wanted to do was listen to my Jackson 5 8-track. And I’m sure to get misty when I recall all the times I let him down.
Thankfully, however, he knew how much I loved and adored him and vice-versa. Our bond, along with the love and support I’ve received from my family and friends, will help sustain all of us as we mourn the loss of a good, honorable, loyal, giving and caring man.
Even though he’s gone, I am still strengthened by his spirit, his courage and his faith. I hope his new and old friends up in heaven realize just how very blessed they are to have him among them.
read by me on aug. 15, 2009 at my dad's homegoing service.
