Zsuzanna
01-28-2009, 07:55 PM
I wrote this in my blog today and I thought it would be nice to share:)
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It's my father's 70th birthday today. He's strong, healthy, and has a glint in his eye that radiates youth. He would do anything for his family, just to see us happy and safe, even if it means to put his own life at risk. Yes, he is aging - so the 'isms' have begun.. such as being obsessed with collecting the garbage and some old-man road rage (haha). Altho my mother claims he drives her crazy, and both my sister and my brother can both say the same... deep down we are more than appreciative for the love that we were blessed with, throughout our lives. He is a rare one, and this we know. You will never feel unsafe while he is around.
He lived a life worth a Biography. Losing his mother at only 2 years old, and his father at 17 - he depended on himself to survive. He was just a little boy during the 2nd world war, who remembers walking over dead bodies that laid in piles of money no longer worth a cent. At 17, he trekked across Europe during The Revolution on foot, dodging land-mines and frequent attacks by soldiers armed with machine guns. By sheer luck, he made his way to Canada by a nauseating boat ride, that never seemed to end. With only a couple dollars in his pocket, he was told to make a living for himself. Not speaking the English language or knowing anyone at all - he worked 90 hour weeks up north, bunking with the wolves and bears, and many times alone. He paid and studied his way through Masonry school, and became renowned for his skill and keen eye for architecture. He worked every single day of his life, never got sick, broke his ribs once after falling off some poorly constructed scaffolding and still worked for 1 month before he even realized. He raised a family, loved and supported them. We never went hungry when times got tough, nor would he allow for us to suffer. After he retired from Mason work, he still went back and worked because the company he worked for actually started to suffer from his absence.... and this is just part of his incredible story. He is my hero in many ways. My will, strength and focus all come from him. My ability to create dreams and make them a reality, comes from him. He came from the impossible, and made something out of himself - and stayed humble along the way. I'm proud to be called his daughter and I'm proud to retell his story to those who ask.
Sometimes we need to be told things. We cant always assume that people should know what we feel. Words open up gateways to understanding, and can offer serenity in one simple sentence.
Today for his gift, I wrote him a simple letter. A letter that was in a card with a tiny teddy bear holding a heart. In that letter I wrote him words that all stemmed from the bottom of my heart. After reading the card at his home, he called me and could barely speak. For about 5 minutes he choked out his thoughts. A man at 70 brought to tears by simple words. But what are the importance of words? Sometimes, simple words can bless someones heart and make their day... and in some cases, their entire life. Who knows what he completely felt on the inside today -- we cannot always assume, nor always read accurately. My father has a tendency to keep his feelings to himself, but after his tears I knew exactly what manifested inside of him. He needed to hear these words - and his tears brought me to my own. In one simple instant, a moment was created that will last for time indefinite.
I am happy to tell him how much I love him. I am happy to tell him how much he is needed and appreciated. He deserves to be reminded daily. I hug him daily. I tell him I love him daily. It makes a difference - as it would with anyone. I believe this to be true.
Tell the one you love what you feel. It means more than any gift, or any amount of money... because the gift of love is priceless.
We seem to remember more when the opportunity is gone. Wouldn't it be lovely to say with confidence upon someones death bed that they were loved by the world, and by you? You could say without a doubt that you had the beautiful chance to express it daily. There would be no looking back - no feelings of regret - just feelings of happiness, and feelings of rejoice. You would cry, but tears would be falling down a smile.
So saying that, I appreciate all of you who cast out colors of love and never hesitate to give the gift of life your utmost.
From my heart to yours.
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It's my father's 70th birthday today. He's strong, healthy, and has a glint in his eye that radiates youth. He would do anything for his family, just to see us happy and safe, even if it means to put his own life at risk. Yes, he is aging - so the 'isms' have begun.. such as being obsessed with collecting the garbage and some old-man road rage (haha). Altho my mother claims he drives her crazy, and both my sister and my brother can both say the same... deep down we are more than appreciative for the love that we were blessed with, throughout our lives. He is a rare one, and this we know. You will never feel unsafe while he is around.
He lived a life worth a Biography. Losing his mother at only 2 years old, and his father at 17 - he depended on himself to survive. He was just a little boy during the 2nd world war, who remembers walking over dead bodies that laid in piles of money no longer worth a cent. At 17, he trekked across Europe during The Revolution on foot, dodging land-mines and frequent attacks by soldiers armed with machine guns. By sheer luck, he made his way to Canada by a nauseating boat ride, that never seemed to end. With only a couple dollars in his pocket, he was told to make a living for himself. Not speaking the English language or knowing anyone at all - he worked 90 hour weeks up north, bunking with the wolves and bears, and many times alone. He paid and studied his way through Masonry school, and became renowned for his skill and keen eye for architecture. He worked every single day of his life, never got sick, broke his ribs once after falling off some poorly constructed scaffolding and still worked for 1 month before he even realized. He raised a family, loved and supported them. We never went hungry when times got tough, nor would he allow for us to suffer. After he retired from Mason work, he still went back and worked because the company he worked for actually started to suffer from his absence.... and this is just part of his incredible story. He is my hero in many ways. My will, strength and focus all come from him. My ability to create dreams and make them a reality, comes from him. He came from the impossible, and made something out of himself - and stayed humble along the way. I'm proud to be called his daughter and I'm proud to retell his story to those who ask.
Sometimes we need to be told things. We cant always assume that people should know what we feel. Words open up gateways to understanding, and can offer serenity in one simple sentence.
Today for his gift, I wrote him a simple letter. A letter that was in a card with a tiny teddy bear holding a heart. In that letter I wrote him words that all stemmed from the bottom of my heart. After reading the card at his home, he called me and could barely speak. For about 5 minutes he choked out his thoughts. A man at 70 brought to tears by simple words. But what are the importance of words? Sometimes, simple words can bless someones heart and make their day... and in some cases, their entire life. Who knows what he completely felt on the inside today -- we cannot always assume, nor always read accurately. My father has a tendency to keep his feelings to himself, but after his tears I knew exactly what manifested inside of him. He needed to hear these words - and his tears brought me to my own. In one simple instant, a moment was created that will last for time indefinite.
I am happy to tell him how much I love him. I am happy to tell him how much he is needed and appreciated. He deserves to be reminded daily. I hug him daily. I tell him I love him daily. It makes a difference - as it would with anyone. I believe this to be true.
Tell the one you love what you feel. It means more than any gift, or any amount of money... because the gift of love is priceless.
We seem to remember more when the opportunity is gone. Wouldn't it be lovely to say with confidence upon someones death bed that they were loved by the world, and by you? You could say without a doubt that you had the beautiful chance to express it daily. There would be no looking back - no feelings of regret - just feelings of happiness, and feelings of rejoice. You would cry, but tears would be falling down a smile.
So saying that, I appreciate all of you who cast out colors of love and never hesitate to give the gift of life your utmost.
From my heart to yours.