My number one fan
In case you are wondering where I got my face, it is from this beautiful man-my dad. He left this world just over a week ago. I’m back from Toronto after observing the Jewish ritual of sitting Shiva with my family. Between my brother’s epic eulogy, where the entire chapel alternated between crying and laughing and the many kind people who came to pay their respects and share their stories of their connection to my father, I gained a lot of insight into the man he was…kind, generous, fair, smart, caring, hard working, honest. As wonderful and heart warming as all these stories were they could not describe the man who was my dad because that’s my story.
My father used to regularly say that bringing up one girl was harder than bringing up two boys put together. My father was a man who saw the world through mathematical eyes. He was orderly and disciplined. His shirt pocket always contained a calculator, note pad, ruler and pen for recording the smallest of life’s details in the smallest of hand writing. He’s the only man I ever witnessed measuring a 9 inch pizza to make sure that it was actually 9 inches. I, on the other hand, shunned any attempt at structure, scheduling, organization, logic or emotional containment. There was nothing linear happening in my mind. I challenged and frustrated him in every way possible.
I had a dad who was devoted to his family, instigated family group hugs, spontaneously danced with me, read to us, took us on camping trips, showed up to everything. He was present and interested in our lives. But, ultimately, it was our challenges that defined our deepest love. My father had many expectations of his family and I know it was hard for him when I chose a different path. There were times when I wondered whether my path would lead me to a place where I could not return to him, but time and time again, my dad surprised me. He always chose me. He always chose love. He always embraced me and my husband (the first one, too) and his grandson. We both learned the art of finding common ground. If anyone needs a role model for not talking politics, my dad would be that man. Of course we did sometimes talk politics, but we learned that there really are more important things in this world.
My dad never missed an opportunity to tell me he was proud of me. He was my number one fan. In his last days, when he could not speak, I made sure to tell him that I knew he was proud of us because he had said it so many times. I knew how much he wanted us to understand that.
My dad taught me so many lessons, but it was the lesson born out of our differences that will always guide me. When in doubt, choose love. I love you Dad. If there’s a way to forward my email from heaven I’m sure you will figure it out.
Thanks for reading. I’ll be back soon with hat related news
xoxo Anna
Prayers for you with the loss of your Dad! Our Dads are very special in a daughter’s life!! 🙏🏼🙏🏼
Sincerely, Jennifer Caldwell
Anna, I am sorry for your loss. Your dad sounds like a wonderful man and father. My condolences to your family. May his memory be a blessing.
/Jane
Thank you for sharing this lovely story
It is difficult to lose someone we love
But I have learned that even though the person we love is not here physically… they are here spiritually
Again … thank you for sharing ❤️❤️
What an absolutely beautifully written story. I heard your sadness in your story that he is gone. But I also heard your happiness that you had him as your father. I offer my condolences to you and your family.
Margaret Gillis
Your dad was a wonderful man. I will miss his wisdom and insight during our Bible study sessions. He was indeed, very proud of you.
Dear Anna,
Thank you for sharing your love for your dad in this space. He sounds like he was a very special person. You describe him so well, I feel like I knew him.
Sending you lots of love and prayers,
Carol ❤️
May his memory be a blessing! Hugs and ❤️ love.
What a beautiful tribute, Anna. He sounds like an amazing man and what a sweet kind face! I think you are a chip off the old block ❤️
Awwww, so sorry to hear your sad news Anna. You have some lovely memories. Take care.
Dear Anna,
Sincere sympathy on the loss of your wonderful dad. Such a lovely, loving tribute you have written. Such great and deep love. Thank you for sharing it with be us. Hugs. Sharrie
My first and lasting impression was that he was a gentle man. And yes, he tolerated me nicely even though by birth I was closer to the cossacks than to the jewish kind. I can imagine, that on the beginning, for him, it took some heavy duty thinking, rethinking and contemplating. Maybe even an appointment with the rabbi. I do not know how he felt in my presence, but I felt fine in his.
Anna, this is so beautiful and moving. What an incredible connection you shared with your Dad. I’m so sorry for your loss, but how lucky you were to have him. May your memories keep him close. Be super gentle with yourself, and sending big love. ❤️
Beautiful, thank you for sharing this. Sending love and comfort as you navigate the loss of your wonderful father.
May his memory be a blessing, Anna. Beautifully written. Thinking of you.
Sue Phillips
Dear Anna,
Your father sounds like an incredible loving man. How fortunate you all were to grow up with his strong guidance and unconditional love.
May his memory always be for a blessing and may you know no more sorrow.
Warmest wishes,
Paula
Anna, thank you for so beautifully sharing who your father was and who he will always be to you. I think it’s difficult to find the right words to capture the essence of a person, but done it beautifully. With sympathy, Irene
Always so hard to lose a parent. thinking about you, Anna.
Thank you for sharing this Anna. Peace and love to you.
e-✉received🌤🧡 by your Dad and he’s smiling knowing you heard his message, “Always choose love” Thank you for sharing your loving tribute and inviting us into your home, literally brimming with love. Now we too can always choose love hearing his words through you. What a wonderful Dad. He will always be near you.
I am so sorry for your loss, Anna. While your dad is no longer physically with us, he will always live within you.
Anna, such a moving tribute to your dad. Our condolences.
Marc and Paula
Thank you for sharing. It’s a beautiful tribute. Sending virtual hugs to you and yours.❤️🩹
Anna!! What a wonderful man your father was. The most wonderful gift a girl can receive is a father such as yours. I am lucky that way, too, having had the best father for my siblings and me.
Your father had a lot to be proud about regarding you!! Your kindness comes through across the miles.
Sending my fondness and condolences to you,
A lovely tribute.
My condolences to you, your family and friends. You received much more than your face from your father as you so eloquently demonstrated, and he will continue on through you, and with you.
Hugs and love from Judith, dear Anna
It sounds like he was a great dad in so many ways, and it;s great that you have so many positive memories to think back on to keep him alive in your heart.
I loved reading your tribute to your Dad, it was a great reminder of what is important. Condolences to you and your family.
My sincere condolences to you and your family. May the love of your dad help you through your loss ❤️ Your tribute to him is beautifully written Anna, thank you for sharing.
Oh Anna, I’m so sorry to hear of your profound loss. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful tribute to a man that clearly prioritized love.
I’m so sorry for your loss. What a beautiful tribute from a loving daughter.
Regina
Dear Anna,
I’m so sorry for your loss. I love your lesson from him, always choose love. Thank you for that.
Your lovely tribute made me wish I could have met him.
Penny
Such a lovely tribute to your dad. He will forever be alive in your heart and soul.