One of the reasons I thought it would be a good idea to start writing a blog is because I am constantly writing letters to people (almost everyone) in my head anyway. And like most people…this commonly occurs the minute I lay my head on the pillow.
It seems to me that I have written a zillion letters to you alone Dad …in my head. Thanking you, bragging and/or apologizing, but mostly reminiscing about you 
when I was small.
Dear Dad,
When I was little, I thought you were a movie star. Isn’t that how every little girl should feel? You were JFK, Frank Sinatra, and Dick Van Dyke… all rolled into one. You were an impressive man. Yep…huge AND hairy.
I loved the way you smelled. Scotch and cigarettes were what dark suits, crisp white shirts and striped ties were suppose to smell like. I love my memories of you and I remember, very well, the kindness in your words and in your voice when you talked to me.
As I have grown older now my memories have grown vague, but these are a few that will stay with me forever.
Crawling in bed with you and Mom was very frowned upon. I had to be convincing of a terrifying nightmare (with tears). I always chose your side of the bed…I felt so safe there.
My summers were soft to say the least. June was spent at camp, July in Highlands and August at the beach. I had no idea how idealistic my childhood was, but then my life hit a spectacular high note when you took us to Miami and Vickie Carr sang “It must be him” on stage TO ME! I was sitting front and center, at the Diplomat Hotel. “OH PLEASE IT MUST BE HIM” she cried out to me…but I thought I was the one “that would die”! I wanted to be Vickie Carr… still do.
One of my personal favorites was THE SLEEPY TIME RIDES! We would beg, plead, holler and pout for you to take us on a drive before bed time. We were relentless, so once in a blue moon you would cave…after cocktails and dinner you would drive us “monkeys” in our pajamas a few laps around the block. I remember the giggles and joy of euphoria like yesterday…it was, no doubt, the indulgence of a lifetime.
The “crack squad shuffle”(your military waltz into our bedroom), hiding at the bottom of my bed, and you singing Tracy Jane, Tracy Jane would make bedtime…sometimes… my favorite part of the day.
I tried to teach you the twist, and you tried to teach me to be myself. You watch every dance I ever learned and I listened to every lecture you ever gave. I assumed you would have every problem solved by morning, and you weren’t afraid of anything. I didn’t know you were worried about every thing…You let me be a child.
I loved the way you talked about your Mother. I loved they way you made our Mother laugh. I loved “trying” to make you proud of me, number three… with the worst grades in Polk County, (must have been quite the undertaking), but being proud of you…my great- hearted father… has always been effortless, for everyone.
You can say I love you a thousand times a day and never mean it as much as my Dad not saying it at all.
You never had to.
Love,
Tracy Jane
Guilty Pleasures!
Of my Tracy! This is your best yet! I love the way you lavish your Dad as he lavished you when you were young, crazy and full of joy!! Beautiful words for an awesome man! I love your Daddy!!
Thanks LD! You know I feel the same way about your wonderful Father as well! Great friends that share so many memories…priceless!
Very sweet, Tracy! I understand these sentiments…don’t we all worship our daddies? I still love a man in a suit and tie because my banker father wore one to work every day, and I thought he was so handsome! (Funny…I just found out recently my sister feels the same way)
How wonderful that you still have your dad. (Mine has been gone since 2001.) It sounds like you’re enjoying every moment with him. That’s great!
Thanks Barbara…Dad’s can do no wrong…if you luck out like me! I think Kelley, my daughter, feels the same way! Here is to great Dad’s…Cheers!
Tracy,
Wishing a very Happy Bithday to the sweetest,most handsome,loving 90 year old man I know!
We had so many good times at your home with your parents. Your daddy has a special place in my heart. I love his sparkle and the twinkle in his eyes. Please send him my love on his special Birthday!
Miss seeing you both.
Hi Jane Jackson,
It feels like yesterday we were playing at each other’s houses. You had the best slumber parties ever! (Your parents were more tolerant than mine!)
Thanks for you sweet comments…My Dad really thought a lot of you too! Miss you!
Dads make great impressions on their daughters…if you had a great one! I did, and you do! So much that THEY didn’t say left lasting memories – the looks, the gestures, the nods, the sighs, the pats. Ahhhhh…
You’re so right Angela! And boy did I get some “looks”!
Beautiful !
Thanks Robin…so what did you think of the blog? HAHAHA!
The Kelleys were a part of my life growing up. Esther Kelley was the epitome of a lady and one of my mother’s dearest friends. And I can tell you, none of her ladylike traits rubbed off on me much to my Mother’s chagrin! Babysitting for you (and your sweet siblings) was my first real paying job. For capezios, no less! I always pretended like you were named for me. Your Mother always said we were so much alike. Mike was absolutely larger than life. He took command of a room when he walked in. But one of my favorite things about Mike is/was he’s ALWAYS glad to see you. He will make you feel like a million dollars. Thank you for reminding us of his awesome grin and what a kind dear soul he is and best wishes for his birthday coming up. I love you and I love Big Mike.
Such a sweet tribute to your Dad… two lovely daughters he raised!
Wow…how nice. I appreciate your comments Carolyn! This daughter needs to work on her “lovely side” but thanks for saying :))
He was happy to see you! And so was I when you would babysit. I was pretending I was a teenager…like you! Love your sweet sweet comments…Thank you!
Beautiful tribute to your Dad Tracy. Uncle Mike is one the most admired men in my life. When I was young, He took Mike and I from New Smyrna to Marineland and told us stories all the way there and back. He is a wonderful story teller and never seemed to tire of entertaining us kids. (and I know we had to wear him out. He is one of the kindest men I have ever known.
Hi Wynn,
You are right…My Dad can tell a story…or two…or a million! I think I have heard them all…more than once, but must say, I have loved them ALL. And right again, he is kind…but he isn’t going to change his mind:) Thanks for reading my blog and saying these nice comments about him.
Tracey, you are spot on about your dad. He has always been larger than life to me. He would be genuinely interested in anything you said always looking straight in your face. You are so lucky to still have him. When my daddy died your Uncle Frank) he was only 50 years old. Unbelievable! Happy Birthday to Uncle Mike! Give him my love. Mary
Mary, It is so hard to imagine loosing a father at the age you were when your Dad passed away. I am grateful that I have “movies” of our families together at birthday parties and Easter. BTW…I still want to know why Pat and I were not “allowed” to hang out with you and Denise? HaHa:) Hopefully we will see each other soon. Take care and thanks for reading my blogs! It’s a great excuse to stay in my pj’s with coffee…I am my MOM! (YIKES!)
If I closed my eyes, and someone read this to me without names, I would think you were talking about my dad, who I miss so very much! What a lovely tribute and how lucky you were and are. I remember seeing your dad at all the social “stuff,” and remember him as so kind, very tall, and commanding. Sending Birthday wishes to Mr. Kelley!
Leslie, I loved our parents and watching them…as they were the coolest generation ever! I am flattered that you take the time to read and comment on my blog. Hope to see you in my favorite home town soon. Miss LL and all of its “cool people” like you!
So, so love this!! What a great tribute to your loving Dad! Daddy’s are the best. I’ve loved hearing stories about yours. He’s helped shape the great lady you are today. Enjoy every minute you can with him!!
Hi Fran…You are such a good friend, but you are definitely going to have to learn “to cut me off” when it comes to late night “story telling”! I got this “shape” from my MOM BYW…JK…actually from pizza:)
Tracy,l I always knew you were special after reading your blog I now know that you are extra special just like your Dad. What an honor it has been for me to have a relationship with such a great man your Dad.I just talked to him a few minutes ago he was so glad to have just seen you and read what you wrote.He is and your brother would be so Proud of you Keep writing you are Special !!
Thanks Craig! I wish I could write like my Dad, but I do get a kick out of writing about certain situations, places and people that astonish me for one reason or another…Maybe one day I’ll write a blog about my brother’s cute friends:)
Love the picture! Our Fathers…a favorite subject of our long talks. A subject that never gets old, irrelevant, or boring. We parse their strengths, their weaknesses, their politics, their business, their opinions of us, our siblings, and our kids…always reaching the same conclusion..they are our anchor, our shield…the standard by which we silently judge ourselves and others.
Damn Karen why didn’t I think of that? (wink) Very well said…Very respected men worthy of admiration.
HHHHMMMM…Now I’m not so sure that I “silently” judge????
Wonderful comment and thank you!