Remembering Dad
April 1st, today would have been my dad's 71st birthday. Simeon Floyd Bright. I've always liked my last name and I suppose I have him to thank for it. Bright is a fun last name to have...now Simeon on the other hand would have been my name had I been born a boy. Whew, close one! Friends and my mom called him Sim....family called him Sonny. Back in the day when CBs were cool....it was Sonny Boy. My dad grew up with one sister, my Aunt Carolyn...keeper of The Grassy Mountain...our name for their farm, gosh I love that place.
Surpringly enough, I don't know that much about my dad - especially when it comes to facts. He died of a dissecting aortic aneurysm when I was 14 years old...he was 48. I was at that age when the world still revolved around me, and your parents were mostly just people to be embarassed of and make sure you did stuff right. And eventhough I'd spent all the 14 years of my life with my folks, at that time I knew very little about them. You only see them as your parents...like that's all they are, nothing else. Not a husband, a friend, a neighbor, an employee...or heaven-forbid a kid at one point, eventhough they try to tell you that over and over.
I think I managed to inherit my dad's personality and that pleases me. Don't take offense, Mom...but it's like a gift. Dad was an easy-going kinda guy that everyone liked. As I remember, wasn't very social...pretty quiet but I wouldn't really call him shy. Coming more to terms with my own personality, makes me wonder how many of my traits did I actually get from him. I'm overly introverted and I'm tempted to guess he was too. I get my energy from being alone. Not that I don't love being around people, but they drain me and time alone is my way of re-charging. The way my dad would come home from work and sit down to play the organ or go work alone in the garden, I'm guessing he was the same way.
My dad was an affectionate person....always playfully messing with me..."rassling" as he liked to call it. I certainly DIDN'T get that trait from him. I'm about as affectionate and forth-right with my feelings as roadkill, unfortunately. Eventhough I don't remember a lot, I can't count the number of times I remember Dad telling me how much he loved me...and that Jesus always loved me more. I can see and hear that as plain as day...even now.
My dad had a God-given gift for music...another trait I didn't manage to inherit. No matter how much I try - I just ain't got it. But Dad could sit down at his organ and peck out about any song that could go through his head...never reading a note of music in his life. I remember getting Sunday-afternoon invitations to go over to Floyd Stevens' house (music directior at the church we were attending at the time) - his wife would cook us lunch and Dad would play on his organ for the remainder of the afternoon. Hymn after hymn - Floyd loved it! I also remember Dad's long-time friend, Darrell, coming over on Saturday nights toting his accordion and he and Dad playing polka music in the living room. "I don't want her you can have her she's too fat for me...." we used to get such a kick out of singing that song and dancing around the room.
So today, Dad's 71st birthday, I just wanted to share a few memories with whoever took the time to read them. Dad created for those around him, a soft spot in their lives. I hope I manage to learn how to do the same.....
If you're reading this, and you knew my dad, please take a few minutes to comment and share...I've love to read your memories.
Post-script.....I hope to get some pictures soon to add here. If you want to check back later and check them out.
84 Comments:
I didn't know your dad, but what you wrote was beautiful. I'm very lucky to still have my parents around and I treasure every moment with them. My husband lost his mom at a young age to Parkinson's. It can never be easy for a child to lose a parent. My thoughts go out to you and the memory of your father.
It was good of you to remember your Dad on his birthday. You can be proud of him and the Christian background he gave you, too. I remember him as a kind gentle quiet man that was easy to live with. He loved you girls more than you will ever know. Glad he expressed that feeling to you. Never forget it!
Oh my word, Gubbie...I'm sitting here bawling...I have so many fond memories of daddy. You mentioned that he told us he loved us all the time, and when some people say those words, they just kinda do it out of habit. But I know that daddy meant it each and every time. I remember daddy sitting at the dining room table reading his Bible, and up until he passed away, he would come up to my bedroom, tuck me in and pray with me. What a legacy! I had absolutely no doubt in my mind that he loved me. As a little girl, I would always look forward to when daddy would be home, because he would come in the house and say, "what time is it"? and look at me like he was going to tackle me. I would beam from ear to ear and say "romp time"! "Ride the horsey"! , and daddy would get down on all fours and give me a piggy back ride. To be continued..........
It was really great for you to write about your Dad on his birthday. He was so proud of you and Carol and he sure would be today, plus a nice son-in-law and a granddaughter, Katie, and grandson, Jacob, who looks so much like his Grandpa! He was also a great brother, and also kind to animals. He had a pet cow and one day I decided to ride her and her back went way down and he thought I broke her back. He said - "ah, Sis, now look what you did." I got off and he pulled on her tail and her back went back up in place. I remember the song "She's Too Fat For Me" and the good times he had playing the organ. In 1953-54, he played for dances in Lewisburg and 4 guys carried the organ up and down 2 flights of steps every Sat. night. Finally had to quit as things were falling off the shelves at the hardware store down below. really and thankful for the wonderful `sister' he chose for me! She is a `real' sister. Yes, Joyce, he was easy going in his growing up years too. I think that was from the Bright side of the family. (:-) I remember my Grandma Bright. Thanks again for remembering your Dad of his birthday! Love you. Auntie Carolyn
I never met you Dad but I know his daughter and your sister Carol Sue Thompson. I can only imagine that he was a wonderful man and by reading your blog today I know that he was. Carol has spoke of your Dad a few times and each time I can see and hear the admiration that she had for him. A few months ago in church we had a tribute to those who have passed away and your dad's picture was a part of that tribute. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and may God Bless you and your family.
Thanks to everyone who's read this and commented. I knew I'd wanted to write it but hadn't really thought about how much I'd enjoy reading everyone else's memories. Aunt Carolyn, I bet you have hours of stories to tell...and I'd love to hear all of them. Dad never mentioned a pet cow!
......I loved daddy's powder blue Volkswagen bug. He took me out on New Madison Coletown Rd. to teach me how to drive a stick shift and I remember bouncing that little car all over the road! I must admit daddy got a little irritated with me for pummeling him to and fro! Hahahaha! We used to have so much fun visiting Kentucky State Parks during summer vacation. He would get in the pool with us and take off his glasses so they wouldn't get wet. The only bad thing about that was he couldn't see a doggone thing! And Gubbie, remember when we finally talked him into buying a pair of blue jeans? That was a major accomplishment, wasn't it? This may be a little weird, but I still have that brown comb he used to use and the Avon blue car decanter that had Rugger cologne that he used to wear. I remember the very last time I saw him alive. We went to visit him in the hospital in Greenville and I remember kissing him goodnight and him holding my hand as I walked away. Thank you Lord for keeping that memory fresh in my mind. Out of all the times I had done that, that particular time will be with me forever. I've had people ask me if I was bitter about losing my daddy. I remember being very mad at him at first. How could he just up and leave us alone like that? Why couldn't the doctor's find anything wrong with him? But then later I thought, you know, God knows what's in our future. Maybe he spared daddy from suffering some tragedy in his life. Maybe a car accident that would leave him paralyzed, maybe spared him suffering from cancer.....it's not for us to question over and over again. But I finally came to grips with the fact that we have no control over what happens in our life or the lives of those we love. This is only a temporary separation. Even to this day things have happened in my life that I know are probably attributed to daddy praying for me all of those 17 years that I had him in my life.
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