Dad's funeral was so nice. It was good to see the family, all the cousins and my aunts and uncles and friends. It really does make you feel so much better. The hoar frost was beautiful, and the sun came out. It was wicked cold though! I think some of the smaller cousins got a little hypothermic during the color guard and taps. Luckily there was plenty of food (including the beloved Mallaney fried chicken!) to warm everyone up, thanks to Mar. She took care of everything to do with the food, we didn't have to give it a thought, and her lovely sisters brought it over and gosh it is good to have friends like that.
Cousins Bobby and Denny spoke of Dad and it was lovely. They knew him before I did, back before he knew mom even. Denny is older. :)
When I remember Dad, at least what pops into my head most often these last few days . . .
How Mom took such good care of Dad. It was because of Mom that we had Dad at home since the dementia. Love is patient, love is kind. Love is work sometimes! LOL
How Dad, in his 80's, went to the top of Starved Rock (and mom and Joe couldn't make it)!
How Dad would lie on the floor to watch TV or read the paper, or just snooze, and he could get up by pushing himself to both knees, then standing right up, not leaning on anything! Try it . . . and then remember to try it again when you are in your 80's! LOL
His hatred for the Cubs. I'm not sure what he enjoyed more . . . rooting against the Cubs or rooting for the White Sox!
His love for family, kitties, Notre Dame, fried chicken, beer, "scrimp", and french silk pie.
How much fun he had down at the bars with his buddies. And how lucky he was! He was always winning a raffle or a prize on the tip board. I drank a lot of beer Bernie won! LOL
How much he loved to take rides and go visiting, and never mind if no one was home! He would raid refrigerators and gardens and candy dishes and leave his calling card if no one was home . . . an empty beer can and candy wrappers! LOL And he brought home lots of pilfered garden produce! LOL Thanks Uncle George!
How strong his faith was. He would say a deck of the rosary for any family or friend who needed it.
How he and Mom would always be on front porch, waving goodbye whenever one of us hit the road!
How Dad carried two full 5-gallon buckets of rain water out to the garden for me, in his 80's! That is heavy folks.
How one time Mom got Dad new jeans for work, and they were a different cut, and Dad came home from work and told mom he would not wear those jeans again! Mom asked him why and Dad replied, "All the guys called me John Revolta!"
All the talks we had on our rides, by the old farm, down to the river to watch for a barge and feed the "pigeons", and driving through the cemeteries. Dad loved it.
And one more time . . . beer! I think my love of beer is genetic. I got it from Bernie!
I don't know what I will write about on here now, without the Exploits of Bernie! Gosh.
Dad's dementia was no fun, I will not lie, but Dad came around, he eventually recognized us as family again, and there were still good times to be had and we had them! I have lot of good memories of the last couple of years. Life is good even when it isn't perfect.
It's fun to think of dad back with "the gang", his brothers and beloved cousin, Robert, and his folks and sisters.
I can't believe the funeral was just yesterday!
That's all for now.
Kay :)
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