This blog was formerly dedicated in 2009 to my Dad who died of Alzheimer's in 2013. It's been three years now...and I find myself missing blogging...so I am re-inventing my blog... because, after all, life is about moving through, and going forward...

Sunday, May 15, 2011

In Dedication To My Father...

Photo by Mari at 365 days



Dad always loved the outdoors,
so it is natural for me to think of him
as a tall, strong, oak tree,
with a thick trunk of integrity
 standing tall in his beliefs
branching out in quiet confidence,
leaves of grandeur, protecting us,
as much as leaves can, until winter...
for we had to learn on our own.
he always said to listen to our inner voice...
solid advice to each of us,
as we circled within our lives,
growing, expanding,
like the rings of a tree,
showing its age...of our lessons learned...
still, as an adult,
hearing his voice reminding me
of what he taught,
gentle whispers
like a breeze fluttering the leaves...
 always an example,
with his quiet wisdom,
calm inner peace...
his willingness to listen,
 instilled an individual sense of importance...
now is the dormant season for my father...
his dementia and Alzheimer's
have taken the best of his life,
 leaving him with his belief in God
as his beautiful horizon;
of which he slowly moves closer to each day...
thankfully, still remembering us,
 knowing the day will come,
when we will be friendly strangers...
life goes on, the winter winds blow,
sometimes too cold,
freezing out the strong life,
once bringing forth new, fertile growth,
making it brittle,
 laden under the burden of lifeless branches,
to break and fall,
becoming part of the earth...
memories are
all we have;
making most
of the moments...
for as long as
 we have...
closing my
 eyes, thinking
of my father
my vision
will always
see a majestic,
tall, strong oak
 tree...

I love you Dad.

~dkb~

13 comments:

Linda O'Connell said...

Donna,
This is absolutely beautiful. Thank you for posting such a personal. heartfelt poem about a man who loves and is loved.

The Words Crafter said...

Oh, this is so beautiful. I love how you took it through so many stages. Even the wintry parts are beautiful. Bravo, well done. A gorgeous tribute to your dad. Maybe you can read it to him.....?

Mari said...

What a beautiful tribute to your Dad!

Jeanie said...

A beautiful and poignant tribute to your dad, Donna.

Betty W said...

Beautiful post. Too bad he can´t read it (or does he?).
I love that you chose a tree without leaves, representing the cycle of life in that way.

Chatty Crone said...

What a nice tribute to your father. It's hard when we have thought of them as strong as trees and then learn they are human - us too you know.

I enjoyed this.

Southhamsdarling said...

I love that post about your dad, Donna. It's lovely to read just how much he means to you, and how you still see him as a strong oak tree. Make the most of this time with him, while he still knows who you are.

Carol............. said...

What a beautiful tribute to your dad!

betty said...

beautifully written, Donna. I could see your father in that tree description; I wonder if you could modify it a bit (actually I like all of it just the way you wrote it) and share it with him for Father's Day, perhaps over the phone or have a sibling read it to him in person? It is just so beautifully written. (the only part I would think of modifying if you shared it with him was the part of the Alzheimer's because I'm not sure how he feels about that and the fact he may not recognize you guys down the road (though we hope that would never happen).

again, so beautifully written.

(still in thoughts/prayers, let me know when all is well.....)

betty

Jinksy said...

A touching tribute...

Marylinn Kelly said...

A way we would all hope to be thought of, as the best of ourselves, as our strengths. I'm sure it means a great deal to your family, whether or not your dad is able to receive it. You have given him a treasure. Thank you for sharing it. xo

Theres just life said...

Donna, This is a beautiful tribute to your father. I know what you mean as I went through the same thing with my Grandmother and my mother-in-law. I just wish I could have expressed my feelings as well as you have.

Sending my love and prayers to you and your family.

Pamela Jo

Margaret said...

This is ... a most beautiful and moving poem. Dad's should be everything you said and what is sad is that some children don't have such a wonderful memory as you do. Wow. This was from your heart and it is a gift to all who read it!