DADDY'S GIRL

Today is Dad's birthday.  He would of been 84.  It's hard to think Dad's been gone now for 2 1/2 years.  I was a real Daddy's girl.  Growing up, he opened up a world of wonder and curiosity and I attribute my desire to be an artist because of his influence.  He loved the mountains and would tromp or 4 wheel endlessly, always wanting to see what was on the other side.  Always noticing the small details around him.

In this picture, taken about 1955, Mom and I were saying goodbye before we boarded the train for New York and then a cruise ship that would take up to Europe.  Mom had suffered the loss of my brother, Michael, who died at about 9 months old,  from what was originally thought Leukemia but later was discovered to be a blood disorder that could of been corrected with a simply blood transfusion.   It left Mom fragile and homesick for her family back in Germany.  We went back for 3 months, and it was quite an adventure for me.  I remember odd things about the trip.. the clock in Munich that had dancing life sized people that would come out and whirl around when the clock chimed.  A nougat candy that came in a round tin with a small wooden spoon to scoop out and eat.  Mom's Viceroy ciggerrettes that she would get out of a vending machine on the boat.  The scary mean Santa that came to my grandmother's apartment with a switch- a monster compared to our fat jolly version in the states.  Note the frills and lace I am wearing..

ghad.   I still to this day do not like frilly or lace from all the foofoo mom would dress me up in.  And those curls..  pink sponge curlers - because my hair is stick straight!

But most of all, I remember how thrilled I was to come home to Daddy.. and how happy our little family of three reunion was.  A new tricycle for me and lots of kisses for mom. 

Miss you Dad.. 

Hope you are having a wonder-filled day somewhere.. perhaps trekking a meadow filled with flowers and birds and lots of sunshine.  Wishing we could be with you.. I know mom wishes it daily. 

ta for now