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Thursday, April 07, 2011

My father, December 1911-April 2011

So my dad died, hastened to his end by the wonderful folks at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital, where he got the infection that did him in. No biggie, he was almost 100; but I wanted him to reach 100 and get a letter from the President, something he would have cherished.

I wanted to post a picture of him in his youth, but can't get Blogger, or Picasa, or either, or both, to work. I'm working on it, in my baffled, disgruntled, tooth-gnashing way.

He was fun to be around. He loved to tell stories of his adventures, some of which were actually true. My uncle, his brother, remarked that you could only believe half of the things Nate told you, but you didn't know which half. For instance, did he grow up in a house with a dirt floor? He did. How about taking his first airplane ride in 1926--doubtful, he would have been 15 then. Having a play optioned by a Broadway producer in 1939? Maybe.

He was very smart, and a quick study. He could understand the workings of various gadgets around the house. He could fix things--replace a light switch or fix a toilet, talents which have eluded me, as has his aptitude for math.

He didn't seem to get old, like other folks. When he was 90, he acted and looked like a man of 62. He was a writer, a painter, a cook, and he could balance his checkbook with ease. Just lately, though, he began to slack off, and we feared the end was near. I wanted him to have that signed letter from Obama, though. Dang.

7 comments:

Paul Mitchell said...

I always want to say something profound on a post like this, but I never know what to say.

What a long and wonderful life.

CGHill said...

Ninety-nine years and never a dull moment. I should live such a life.

Kitten said...

Condolences Miriam. It sounds like you have lots of wonderful memories.

airforcewife said...

He sounds like one of the ripples in the pond that made the world better by making those around him better people.

miriam sawyer said...

He had his moments.

jzdro said...

Thank you for telling us about him. We will think of you, as time goes on. jzdro

Candy Rant said...

Miriam, thanks for what you've shared here. We're definitely on a similar journey. And not an easy one.