Lost my father this morning

This hasn't been unexpected, but it doesn't make it any easier.
He was a tough guy who grew up during the depression and i think that molded who he became. He worked his way up from the floor at Pontiac Motors to a mid level executive position and went to work everyday of his working life except when one of us 11 kids was born. He retired 28 years ago and moved to Florida so he could play golf everyday until an unfortunate ladder accident at the age of 75 damaged his right hand to the extent that he could no longer hold a club.

Yeah that's right, at 75 he was cutting down a huge pine tree on his property and fell around 20 feet chainsaw in hand and drove all his fingers up into the back of his hand. But that was how he lived his life, "God helps them that help themselves was his mantra". He re roofed his house when he was 80.

He was a very accomplished golfer who shot his age when he was 73, he was a member at the Plantation golf Resort in Crystal River Fla. for over 20 years. He played 18 holes 5 days a week for that whole time except in the heart of summer when he and my mother would travel around the country to see all us kids. He taught me to play this game the correct way, by the rules. He always said the only one you are cheating is yourself if you don't play it that way. I enjoyed every minute that we spent together on the course, it was the best times of our life together.

I put him through hell when i was a kid. He was an extreme disciplinarian and there was no compromise. We were equals when it came to being stubborn and battled on a daily basis. We were combatants through my teenage years until i returned from the military and had grown up considerably. it wasn't until i got married and struck out on my own that we became good friends.
Today I wish i could have those years back.

As i look back i can see a lot of my dad in myself both the good and the bad, but I am who I am because of who he was.

He would have turned 86 next month.

Thank You for listening.
Jeff

Very sorry 

Expected or not - yes, its still hard.

Very sorry for your loss.  My condolences.

My sincere condolences.  I lost my Dad 8 years ago.  I think of him every time I play golf.  He dragged me into playing the game and I thank him for it every day.

 

Would you have crashed the motorbuggy?

 

Condolences birdy. I'm sorry to hear that. It sounds like he was a good man who had a good life. Cherish the fact you and he got to be good friends. R.I.P.