Beyond the Other Side: My Dad

Tuesday - June 16, 2009

Today is Dad's birthday. He would have been 88 years old. He has been gone for three and a half years. It seems like only yesterday I was able to talk to him and tell him I loved him. We always teased him about double dipping on his birthday because it was always close to Father's Day - some years his birthday and Father's Day were the same day!

I miss my dad so much. Meghan and I walked into his work shop the other day and she looked at me as said "it smells like Pappaw!" The smell of the wood was characteristic of him the last few years of his life. He was always working with wood - making something special for someone in the family or friends.

Dad was special in many ways. He never felt sorry for himself because of his injuries he suffered during WWII. He always found a way to overcome his "handicap" and never really considered himself disable! He was a survivor and a fighter. He came through many medical procedures that some felt he would never make it. They didn't know Dad the way we all did. With God's grace and the power of prayer he came back to his family many times.

Mike and I, as do Rhonda and the boys, tell Dink that he is just like Dad. With hard work and determination, he too will survive! Dad taught us to never give up; always treat you family and friends with respect; never make fun of anyone, especially those less fortunate than we were; he taught us the meaning of love, commitment, providing for your family, and what it meant to sacrifice so your family can have food, clothing, and a home. He was a hard worker, and very seldom would he take off from work. His work ethics soon became our work ethics. My brothers and I all worked (Mike still does) at our jobs to do the best job possible.

Some say that as the years go by, it gets easier to accept losing a loved one! I'm not sure of that - I miss Dad as much today as I did the day he passed away. When I take Mom to the cemetery, I always tell him I love him and that we all are trying to take of Mom as he would have us do. He was worried about her those last few weeks. The boys and I assured him that we would take care of her. It was then he told Mom it was time for him to go home. He knew his time here on earth was coming to an end. He would soon be going to his heavenly home. He was at peace when he left us - he knew where he was going and that God was waiting for him. He also knew that Mom would be alright. His job here was completed, and it was time for him to go Home.

Dad will always be missed, but the memories will always keep him alive here on earth for us all!
The following pictures are some I haven't used very often on the blog. They take Dad from his infancy to the way we like to remember him - wearing his suspenders and coming into the house after having worked in the wood shop on a special gift.

Dad - 1921

This had to be before he entered the service - his hair is combed back rather than being parted on the side! 1940

Camp Haan, California - 1942

The Layne brothers - Uncle Pete, Dad, Uncle Son, and Uncle Pak sitting below the their home place - probably on a Sunday afternoon! Mike is in front of Dad! 1955

One thing that Dad delighted in doing was aggravating Mom! You can see that in the next few pictures!

1970

1970

Dad wearing one of his set of work clothes - during the 70's!

One of the activities Dad love to do was talk on his "ham radio!" His call letters were K8LNM - he would talk with people from all across the United States as well as across the world - depending on the weather. He built his radios himself!

Another thing Dad loved to do was fish. It was an activity he could do with the whole family. This was taken on one of his trips to Canada with Dink and Mike!