Sunday, June 20, 2010

An Appropriate Re-post



This weekend has been amazing! I've watched one of my dearest friends get married to the love of her life and to be perfectly honest I've never been so inspired by the perfection of a moment like this before. She looked incredibly happy... happier than I'd ever seen her and although I feel that her wedding is blog worthy... it's not the sole reason for this particular addition today.
As I'm riding on the Bolt Bus on my way back to NYC I'm reflecting on the importance of today. It's fathers day. An otherwise routine holiday for most has become a day filled with thoughts and memories of what was and what could've been for me. When dad was alive I feel like we would kind of compete to see who would call him first. It was always Sam of course because Sam for some reason finds it incredibly appropriate to call people before the sun has risen simply because he's awake. So I think today, as I remember dad for his humor and heart, that it's inevitable that I should re-post a blog that I wrote for him 2 years ago. Although I know he's gone, I still feel his presence in my life.
Dad, I'm sure I speak for all of us when I say that we miss you very much and hopefully you're in a place where you're filled with unlimited happiness and love. Please continue to remind us that you're still with us although perhaps you could stop messing with the electronics in moms house ;-)

All my love,
Cookie


So it's that time of the year when we all come together to celebrate our fathers and all the wonderful attributes they've added to our lives.  For those of you lucky enough to have met my dad, you know exactly why it is I have turned out the way that I am.  

My dad is, to say the least, a character.  Let me clue you in a bit.  About three years ago (or so...i can't remember now), we decided to get a new puppy.  Now my dad wanted to name this wonderful addition to our lives Dick.  He thought it would be nice to invite people over to pet his Dick.  :-)  Funny, right?  Which by the way, we didn't give the dog that name... for some reason it didn't suit him.  That, or my mom said no.  His name is Simba and I adore him!  

My dad without a doubt taught me how important it is to laugh.  Joking is something that you will find emanates throughout my house and not a single family dinner goes by without it.  Whether it's lovingly teasing someone, telling a joke, or simply him spilling his drink (which happens just about every dinner as well), we all get in a great laugh when dad is around.  One of the greatest laughing memories is when we were having a conversation and he said "barping and furting" as opposed to burping and farting.  One of those "had to be there" moments... and certainly one of the best!  

My dad taught me the necessity of music in my life.  No matter what is going on, he is constantly singing, humming, or whistling.  There is a tune in my dads heart that is on continuous play.  He loves to blast music throughout the house and to this day plays our old jukebox that he had from years of owning a sports bar.  Dad always used to tell me to find a man who sings all the time and it's definitely one of my most sought after attributes.  Dad's song, is what inspires me to sing.  I'm positive my music abilities come from him.  He has one of those swanky Frank Sinatra type voices... it's very nice!  He is also a great Organ player!  

My dad has taught me (or is still trying to) the importance of a dollar.  Not an easy thing to teach a girl who loves to shop.  But I know that I'm getting better at it.  He taught me how to drive (also, not an easy thing to teach a girl who loves to speed), how to work a room, and how to flip the bird.  I learned when I was 2 and have been using it happily ever since.  

When I was younger we used to go to Carvel for ice cream allot.  Those were some of my favorite childhood memories..

The absolute most important thing that my dad has taught me is forgiveness.  We have definitely had our rough patches.  And the more I think about it, the more I know that the reason we've butted heads as often as we have is because we are insanely alike in personality.  Not really a bad thing, but for two stubborn Italians, it just doesn't work out some times.  I know though that our bond is very strong and even if we're infuriated at each other, we still love each other deeply.  How can I not forgive the man who taught me how to laugh and sing?   

I'd like to take this time to mention that finding a good picture of my dad and I is close to impossible.  But the picture that I've added is actually one of my favorites of him because he just looks so damn happy!  It's with him, my mother, and my nephew Frankie on the tire swing that my dad put up especially for him.  

As for the video, when I was a little girl, my dad and I used to sing this song together.  It should be known that I was very sick as a baby, and the fact that I'm still here today is a miracle.  So at that point in my life, me singing this song with him was very special.  This, is "our song".  

Dad, your love and dedication to me out weigh any tiff we've ever had.  And my love for you is stronger and more deep rooted than you'll ever know.  You have made a positive and lasting impression upon my life and I know no matter how far apart we are,  our hearts and minds are with each other.  Remember that I love you... "enough".  





There are two other dads in my life that I'd like to pay a small tribute to as well.  My brothers are both fathers.  Each with one child and another on the way.  There are no words to express how incredibly proud I am of the two of you and certainly throughout the years you both will positively impact the lives of your children.  I know my life would not be the same without you in it.  I love you!!!  

PS-Hi mom! :-)  

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is one of the very few times that I am at a loss for words. What a wonderful tribute to Dad. I know that he was very touched by the expression of your feelings for him. It's made his day. Somewhere along the line we did something right in raising our children or was it just the beatings on Tuesdays and Thursdays! Wish that you could be here with us!!
Love,Mom

Cristina said...

Most likely it was the beatings. :-) For the record, for those of you outside my family circle, I'm not publishing my dad's or my brothers' comments to this blog. Some things are meant to stay between us. :-)