I haven’t written about my father yet here on COCOCOZY. I was trying to honor his memory by not writing about him here on the blog – thought maybe my memories of him are so personal that I didn’t want to share or that somehow it would be disrespectful to mention him too much.
Then the other day, friend AT said she has a colleague at her work who reads the blog and who asked her, “What about Coco’s father, she never mentions him…she always just mentions her mom and her sister?” I realized that by not writing about my dad, I was leaving out a big part of my life.
Well today on this Father’s Day, it is about my wonderful amazing father. He was an incredible man. A devoted loving husband to my mom, a caring son to my grandmother….and an adoring father.
He passed away several years ago…too early…too young…a shock to my mom, my sister and me. We were devastated. We grieved for years but now when we think of Dad, we do not think of the pain of loss, we think about all of the good times, all of the words of wisdom, all of the life lessons he taught us…his legacy. It is strange but I often think he passed away just at a time when he knew that he had given us everything he had, taught us all he knew and that we were ready and able to take care of ourselves, our mom and the people around us.
My parents were young when they had me and my sis DS but they were completely aligned about how they wanted to raise us. They dedicated their lives to raising us by providing a loving home. They made sure we knew the difference between right and wrong, taught us about being compassionate to others, they gave us an unending work ethic and kept us focused on improving ourselves and our minds at all time. They also taught us how to love.
My dad sacrificed a lot to give us all of the tools we needed in life. He had a vision for us. He made sure we studied hard, stayed on the right path and if we veered off it, he put us right back on course! Education was key to my father. He and my mom jumped through hoops to make sure both my sister and I went to the best schools possible and that ground work was there for us to lead happy fulfilled lives. I thank my dad for that gift.
My father was a true gentleman. He opened doors, pulled out chairs, stood up when ladies came to the table, he walked on the outside of the sidewalk when walking with me. We felt protected with my dad around. My father loved the women in his life. He was thoughtful and giving. On Valentine’s Day, he would arrive home from work with flowers for my mom and presents wrapped in big red bows for me and my sis DS. He got me my first car and when I got in a minor fender bender that ruined that car, I got into the appropriate trouble (big trouble), and then some time later, he got me my second car!
He taught us about right and wrong in his actions and his words. I remember once when I was very young, he got home from a store and realized the man had not charged him for one of the items of clothing he had purchased. Just so the clerk would not lose a commission and because it was the right thing to do, my dad got in his car and went all the way back to the store to make sure he paid for what he got. He showed us how to do the right thing time and time again. Even when we didn’t have that much, he took spare change and gave it to people in need…he made gestures to help whoever he could.
I often think, “Thank goodness for my father and mother…if it weren’t for them, I don’t know where I’d be”.
I miss my dad on this Father’s Day. I miss having him around. If I ever feel like I am off course, I think, “What would dad want me to do here?” He is still with me and sis DS every day. A gentle man, a good man, a loving man, a role model, someone we were so lucky to have in our lives. Miss you Dad! Love you Dad! Happy Father’s Day!
xo
Coco
P.S. I celebrate dads all around who give give give to their kids. You are incredible. Hats off to you. Enjoy the day! Happy Father’s Day to you!
P.P.S. I didn’t mention my grandfather here…I’ll save that for next Father’s Day. 🙂
Photo: Coco of COCOCOZY
Coco, that was very touching. I miss my dad too. Although he was usually the one to get us into trouble. Like the time he came home at 9pm with an amphicar, loaded up my mom, us four kids, all under 8, and drove us to the Palo Alto Yacht Harbor to take the car/boat for a spin. Luckily there happened to be a patrol car cruising the area, so my dad was forced to turn around and take us home. (We did go out the next day and laughed so hard when people tried to save us from our floating car.) Then there was the time he brought the monkey home for a pet. Like your Dad, he also taught us right from wrong, hard work and compassion for others. Thank you for posting that today, it stirred up a lot of great memories for me of my Dad.
Gigi
What a lovely lovely post. Obviously your dad did a GREAT job for him to be memorialized so lovingly. I, too, had wondered about your dad since you never mentioned him, so thanks for letting us know about him in such a beautiful way.
A big hug for you!! that was a beautiful post.
Kisses from Chile!!
This was so beautiful. I wish I could have met your Dad; though, I am still dying to meet your sweet Mom. Hugs to you and DS! xox
I just stumbled across your site and this wonderful post! I felt like you could have been writing about my Dad, who I lost 5 years ago. How lucky we were to have such wonderful men in our lives! Thank you for a beautifully written, thoughtful post and thanks also for such a great website!