Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge My Pa Just died

Eddy, so sorry to hear this. Karen and I send our best to you, Judy and the family!

Sorry to hear that, Eddy. My condolences.

Very sorry to hear of your loss Eddy. Our sympathy to you and your family.

Really sorry to hear this. Sincere condolences to you and your family

Very sorry to hear this Eddy, you have many friends here for support. You have treat all of us so well even giving of your own to help a guy get back on the road. I feel for you and hope the support I am sure you get here is at least of some help.

Sorry for your loss Eddy, Lily and I send our condolences to your family. Stay strong brother.

Real sorry Eddy, our thoughts are with you and your family!

My condolences to you and your family Eddy.

I'm sorry to hear that Bro. My condolences and prayers to you and your family.

Keep those good memories up front and time will help heal your pain.

Our deepest condolences

Johann & Nilla

Thinking of you and your family Eddy

my condolences eddy

Eddy, Sorry to hear of your loss.

Sorry for your loss Eddy....

Eddy, Saddened to hear of your loss.

So sorry to hear that news, eddy. I send my condolences to you and your family.
Trust me, you will see him in things you do, in other people, and you will refer to him in many conversations for the rest of your life. He will never really be gone.
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Goes without saying, I want to thank each and every one of you for the kind words and thoughts and prayers. I feel compelled to share the following with you about my Dad. "Virg" was a biker in his youth and spent 9 years as a motorcycle cop. As maybe mentioned, I got the fever from him setting me on his tank and giving me rides when I was six years old. During the winter in those years he rode a three wheel HD that I recall being a 45 cube affair with a solo seat and a large trunk, Windscreen and of course, red lights and a wind powered siren.
(Example)




In the winter, at least one winter and to a kid, that is like every winter in my memory. He would tie a rope to the bumper and pull us on my skies up and down the drive way! Yea, that was cool.

He had a number of wrecks, I remember one really messing him up a bit and this became the reason he forbid me to own a motorcycle or a minibike. Back in the early 70's when all my friends had minibikes, even my cousins, my old man was un-yielding. "I'll be damned if your going to ride something then end up going down the road scrapping your balls off!" Thought he was the harshest man on the planet. But it was his choice. I ignored it of course and learned to ride subversively behind his back. When I became a parent I felt that my Dad had mad a mistake in not letting me ride because it drove me underground and he could have trained me on how to ride, a missed opportunity for him, an opportunity for me and my kids. I taught my kids to ride and respect that which can hurt you or kill you. "Don't be afraid of it, but respect it because it can kill you." Any friend of theirs that wanted to ride their dirt bikes after obtaining permission from their parents had to go through "Dad's Motorcycle school!" I was famous!

In the 90's my Dad had a small stroke or the weakness may have been related to a fractured neck from a fall I can't recall. I went home on my motorcycle one weekend and told him to take it for a ride (he had not ridden for years). He said, no, I can't hold the bike up because of the weakness." I said, get on, I'll ride behind you and be there to hold the bike up." We went for a short 10 mile ride. I didn't care how goofy it looked, it was a treat to my Dad, who had done the same for me when I was six! Make no mistake it was a treat for me too.

My Dad was a hard man, giving me cause to dislike him greatly and hold a grudge against him. I recall in my late 20's coming to understand the truth of what Mark Twain said; "I't amazing how smart my Dad became when I turned 28" AS a parent I realized a man does what he knows and learns so I purposed to respect my Dad and forgive him for the past. I didn't see any fruit of that for years until the last couple of years. I realized a very powerful thing and it is the reason I am sharing it here now. I had cause to hold a grudge. I have seen kids do it to their parents and it comes at a great price. You see, over the past few years my Dad softened and because I had let the past go I saw the change and allowed him to become the Dad I had always wanted. Many folks miss that moment when they hold on to the past too tight. As Dad's we are plodding through life making mistakes ourselves. I am grateful that I extend grace to my old man and didn't miss the man he became. I was able to hold his head while he was dying and be grateful that what was in my heart was not bitterness as a result of a young man who didn't do it so good, but the old man who found his way and was loved by his son.

It falls to us to improve on the weaknesses of our Dad's and build their legacy as in due time our kids will do the same.



Thank you all for your kind words.

eddy

What a beautiful post, Eddy!

Eddy, your post truly moved me... so full of insight and wisdom. I most deeply appreciate your sharing and caring. Thank you very much!!

I lost my Dad about 8 years ago. I understand.

Thanks for sharing your story.

Love and forgiveness heals all wounds. Take care and God Bless!

Beautifully written and a profound wisdom. Thanks for sharing Ed. My experience with my Dad and his recent death was very similar in many ways to yours. We ALL need grace and when we give it to others it frees us at the same time from our hurt and bitterness and regrets.

Thanks Eddy, lost my dad 7 years ago and many of the same sentiments were present, unable for me to put into words, thanks again for allowing a +1, sorry for your loss.

My condolences Eddy. I visited my Dad back in NZ a week before he suddenly passed away. My thoughts are with you.

eddy, you're a stand up dude, and i know your pops must be proud of you. i know how it feels to lose your old man, and i hope it helps to know that we all care for you.

Quote:

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because I had let the past go, I saw the change and allowed him to become the Dad I had always wanted...

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Eddy,
Your prose defines love.

You're a good son & a good man, Eddy.

So sorry Eddy. Prayers up.