Celebrating my father's legacy to me.

This post is more of a Father’s Remembrance Day post—a celebration of what my father gave me. We all have lessons our fathers taught us. 

This past week has been an emotional one. I’ve been dealing with some intermittent depression and grief. My father, Willard Cole, passed away March 7, 2009. Through years of hard work, he left property that has enabled his heirs to live “the good life.” We’re not rich, but we have been provided for. And it has enabled us to provide for our children, too. I’m grateful for my father’s life and his hard work. His legacy and his accomplishments live on in his kids and grandkids. Now we each are working on our own dreams and achievements.

Dad taught me to finish what I start, because he often didn’t finish projects around the house, but in business, he finished most of his work and did it well. He also set high standards and we did, too, to please him and Mom.

Dad also taught me that being a parent is hard, but you have to keep at it even when you’re tired, sick, out of work, hung over, wrong, awkward, or just plain busy. Even when your family criticizes you, you still have to do your best and give your best to your children. From Dad I learned that the love you give away is the love that stays.

I got my love of animals from Dad. He loved all dogs, and they loved him. When we were kids, Dad adopted a cranky, nippy 20 year old show dog after his owner couldn’t keep him. We had that dog for five years just to keep Dad's promise to the owner and the dog. 

My dad rescued cocker spaniels. Then when his dear Lady had pups, Dad wouldn’t adopt them out unless the new prospective owners agreed not to ‘dock’ their tails. Like me, Dad dreaded letting his dogs pass on and held on to them till the very last moment. My dear dog Nicky never forgot the sound of Dad’s old Caddie's diesel engine—and got excited whenever he heard Dad's car coming down the street. 

Dad worked most of his life from age ten until Alzheimers took his mind. His last few years were hard to live through. A vibrant six footer, Dad seemed to be able to do anything and everything.like build and repair things—he was a carpenter, then a general contractor; a salesman, then a real estate broker, and property manager/landlord. He cooked one skillet meals, did his own laundry—hung to dry around the house to save energy. He gardened with drip/mist, and built fish ponds at three houses. He visited me in Virginia, Hawaii, and Spain—we Eurailed through Europe for 21 days—visited Spain, Austria—twice, Germany, Italy, France, while Dad recovered from a pneumonia relapse.
 
He was lifelong loyal friend, outliving most of them and even helped raise his ex-girlfriends’ kids. He acted in little theater, loved all music and sang opera with the local opera company—when work permitted. He was kind, generous, loyal, as well as moody, surly, bigoted, and critical—multi-faceted as we all are. 

I owe my father much for who I am and what I’ve accomplished. I will continue to honor him by pursuing my dreams, living fully each day, loving my pets, and passing on as much as I can to my child. 

Thank you, Dad, for all you’ve given me. 

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Here's a poem, an ode to my dogs that Dad would like: 

MY SWEET DOGGIE’S TAIL

by Penelope Anne Cole

My sweet lil’ doggie’s wag

doesn’t reach her tail.

She shakes her front so well;

but her rear – a fail.

Long pink tongue laps her chin—

A toothy, fun grin.

She gives me a mad chase,

races place to place.

She’ll run for hours on hours,

in shine or showers.

Mouth smiles, small head shakes,

a meat treat she takes.

With a happy food dance;

a sassy foot prance.

Her energy abounds.

How loud her bark resounds!

Accepts ev’ry weakness.

Loving completeness.

Love like this forever

Wrapped up in warm fur.

We’re in a state of bliss

with a puppy kiss.

Thank you Siku,

            Nicky, woo woo,

                      Alex boy, too

          Ellie Pup true,

         Lexie Lulu.

                        Our love to you.