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Saturday, January 26, 2008

O Mio Babbino Caro

O my Dearest Daddy
Dad
My Dearest Daddy passed away past last night.

My father was almost 86 years old. He was born during the early 1920's.
Baby Daddy
By age ten he was the head cook and bottle washer at his father's farm out in the Utah Desert.
Owen Cabowen
I love this picture. You see the concern for his responsibilities in his face. My son is much like him.
He served a Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints in the Minnesota and Canada.
Missionary
This is his mission photo. Wasn't he handsome?
He served stateside in the US army during WWII. His older brothers were overseas.
He married my mother in the Salt Lake Temple in 1949.
Mom and Dad
They had 13 children. (I am number 12). I was the daughter of his old age. He was 50 when I was born.
Dad, me and Jenny
(that is me and our donkey Jenny)
It was pretty wonderful to come at the end of such a large family. I got to share many things with my brothers and sisters but got a lot of my parents later time to myself. This was pretty special.
Some of the driving forces in his life were his love of the Lord Jesus Christ, and his family.
Most of my favorite memories of him involve him reading to us from the scriptures.
Scriptures
Another passion in his life has been the Boy Scouts of America.
The Scout
He participated in the program and loved telling stories bout a scouting jamboree in Washington DC. He worked with most of his sons and some of his grandsons with the scouting program.
Dad and Jon
Here he is with my little brother Jonny at a scout camp. My dad was a master fire builder and taught me how to successfully build a fire with one match by the time I was eight.
He passed this information on to my son Joe.
Fire and Dad
My son finally mastered it the week before my father passed away and was thrilled to be able to tell him of that before he passed.
My favorite memories of my father of him with my children.
Twelve years ago my father suffered a massive heart attack and had to have 7 bypasses done. I remember the doctors saying that if he didn't find a purpose to live, that he would not live long. We all loved him and liked having him there but none of us NEEDED him like he needed to be needed. Two months later my oldest son was born and my father was NEEDED.
Wind of the Western Sea
You can see the scar on my father's chest from the heart surgery.
When Joe was six weeks old, I had to return to work as a school teacher. My father was his primary care provider.
Papa and Joe
He took care of Joe everyday until he went to Kindergarten.
To keep himself healthy, my father would walk at least a mile everyday all year round.
Right up to the last, he walked to keep his heart going. It worked.
Last year Joe was home schooled and would walk every morning with his Papa.
Walking with Dinosaurs
This is one of my favorite pictures of my dad and Joe.

Papa Tell Me a Story
They had great times together. My dad was the best story teller. He loved to read stories to the little kids.
My father, being a college professor, always used big words with Joe and all my children. My son had a very large and interesting vocabulary. My father loved Geology and taught it for many years at BYU. My son loved paleontology and the two of them loved to identify rocks and fossils.
Project1
My father continued to help care for the rest of my five children. He was great to hold them, love them, and sing to them. He sang my children a special lulluby that his mother sang to him more than 80 years ago.
Wind of the Western Sea,
Blow, Blow, breath and blow,
Wind of the Western Sea,
Over the rolling waters go,
Come with the dieing wind and blow.
Blow him again to me,
While my little one,
While my pretty one,
While my little one sleeps.
(this is the poem by Tennyson)

hannah and Dad
I think though the best memory we will have of my father is his last day here. He was moved from ICU to a private room before hospice took him home. Bryan was able to bring the kids up to see him that morning. He was rallied himself and really had a good time with my children. He told them he loved them, cheered them up and gave of his great kindness to them. My little Hannah is only 5 years old and it just broke her little heart to see her Papa so sick. He called her over to him and she crawled up with him and he took time to comfort this little girl. It was a pretty tender moment in our family.

I appreciate the concern voiced by my blogging friends that have taken the time to track my down and find out where I am. I am sorry that I haven't been here to post for a couple of weeks but dieing isn't an easy thing to go through.

44 comments:

Kathi D said...

I am so sorry that you have lost your dad. I still miss mine after many years. I was kind of a "daddy's girl" although I also adored my mama. And no, I don't think your birth was an accident, either. I have lived long enough to see that hardly anything is an accident.

Unknown said...

I know how you feel. If you need anything, even though I don't know you, you let me know.

And I live Gianni Schicchi.

futuregirl said...

Lucy, my thoughts are with you and your family.

Unknown said...

I'm so sorry. My prayers are with you, even if I don't know you.

greetingarts said...

Oh, Lucy, I'm thinking of you. Be good to yourself.

Randi~Dukes and Duchesses said...

I am so sorry for you. I hope your special memories bring you great comfort.

Alphacyg said...

He was a great example to all of us and we will miss him so much.

Carrie @carrieloves said...

Our thoughts are with you and your family. Take care of yourself.

LJ said...

many many hugs dear!!

mama k said...

I'm so very sorry for your loss. Your family will be in my prayers tonight.

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry for the loss. You are in my prayers and thoughts. Hugs Lisa

Fabric Fanatic said...

So sorry Lucy....he looks like a Sweet Man and I know you'll miss him.

muralimanohar said...

I'm so sorry. :(

Anonymous said...

Oh, so very sorry. Condolences. . . my friend's stepmom just died and we had the same discussion: death is NEVER easy. All the best to you and your family.

Aimee said...

i love that photo of him...it made me cry. My daddy was 54 when he had me and he passed away many years ago(i am 34!)...my heart aches for you b/c I know that deep pain. God bless you dear and may you know Him in a deeper way as a Heavenly Father during this grief.

Emily Cole said...

We're here for you Lucy! He sure was a handsome fella wasn't he? I know it's a difficult time, but we'll be here when you're ready to get back into the swing of things. Lots of love, Em

stuffed said...

So sorry.

Cher said...

big hugs through this challenging time-having lost both my parents I can tell you it takes as long as it takes....to accept and live with it.
it's good to feel however you feel for as long as you do! good that you have lots of support through this time and into the future...it is very hard to lose a beloved parent.

Christine G said...

Oh, I am so, so sorry. I don't know you, but my heart breaks for you. I can't even imagine the pain of losing my dad. It would probably be one of the most painful experiences of most people's lives. Take care.

Princess of Everything (and then some) said...

I cannot even beging to imagine how you must feel. Please know that we are all here for you and just an email a way.

And I MEAN THAT!

thimbles bobbins paper and ink said...

You have my deepest and most sincere sympathy.

~ Jennifer W.

Tracey said...

You wrote a beautiful blog that moved me to tears. Thank you for sharing your father with us. My father has been vacant from my life, so I love to see the relationship that exists between a daughter and her father. Thank you for allowing us to know your father. You are in my prayers.

Jodie said...

Oh my... Thankyou for sharring the memories of your father with me... You're in my thoughts...

Jodie

whit said...

Lucy, thanks for the picture history of you dad. I know he was a special and great man. His little sister loves him very much.

Whitney

atet said...

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss -- no matter when it comes, death is never easy. You and your family are in my thoughts.

Adrienne said...

What a beautiful memorial you have written about your father. I know he will be missed by many. God Bless.

Anonymous said...

What a loving family and a blessed life. Thank you for sharing your dad with us. May your family's love for each other and your memories of your father comfort you all in this time. Peace.

Anonymous said...

I wanted to add that your little Hannah looks a lot like her grandfather! What a treasure that picture is.

Rebecca said...

That was a beautiful and loving tribute. How very dear. I am blessed for having read it. Thank you for your gift of love! I am so sorry for your loss. I know your faith and your family will give you much comfort. Time will take care of the rest.

My mother's birthday was January 24th. The anniversary of her passing is February 22, the day before my husband's birthday. It's a little easier, 3 years later. I will always miss her. But my faith tells me it's temporary. You and your family are in my prayers.

zlb said...

thanks lucy for caring for grandpa and grandma so well. and for me when i got so sicko, I'm still pretty bad, but am just sleeping, eating sick garlic and laying low. It was really good to see you though and your wonderful children. xoxo zi

Jen S said...

Oh I'm late to finding out but still sad to hear of your loss. Your dad sounds fantastic. All love to your family.

nashbabe said...

That is a great aria, and I'm sure a wonderful dad. Blessings...

Knitterella said...

I'm so so very sorry for your lost. What an amazing father. Peace to you and your family.

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful story. I am so sorry for your loss. Losing a Daddy is so hard no matter how old we are. My own passed away almost 8 yrs ago. You will have such wonderful memories. Your story brought tears streaming down my face, but at the same time, I couldn't help smile about the man he must have been. Thank you for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Your blog about your dad's passing really touched me. I'm so sorry for your loss. I lost my daddy almost 10 years ago and I still miss him. Your kids are lucky to have had such a wonderful papa.

Anonymous said...

Oooh...i just read your blog about your dad...so sorry, i lost my mom last March, she was born and raised in Utah, Spanish Fork to be exact...met my dad and they were transferred to PGH, PA...she was so homesick the last year, and unable to travel; but i LOVE the fact that she was really close to my two kids; they, too, gave her reason to get up and get going in life, till she no longer could; your dad gave you his MOST precious gift, TIME! Cherish the memories, my heart aches for you, but be happy to that you had him as long as you did!
Annette

Tori Leslie said...

Just found you by way of another. Loved this post, I lost my Daddy too and I can totally relate.
Praise the Lord that you had him while you did.

Anonymous said...

Sorry to hear about Dad, I am sitting here bawling..loving every picture. Just found your blog thru someone elses site but now I will be a regular. Lost my Pop last May .. same age as yours. Sending hugs, Barbara

Tatum H said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Shawnee said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Shawnee said...

I just love how you created this post. My daddy and mother are both also gone. He was born/raised in Utah and they adopted my brother and I in their old age ... he was 48 and mom was 42 when I was born, and they hated being asked if I was their granddaughter. My dad had health issues, too, but also was care provider for my kids. He even moved to Germany to help us while my husband was stationed there with the Army and I had to go to work. Thanks for sharing with us all.
Hugs,
Shawnee

Joy Morykon said...

It was so great to read about your dad's legacy. What wonderful memories you have of him. My father passed 4 years ago of brain cancer. He was a missionary pastor in Chile. I love the picture of your dad reading the bible. My daughter, Lucy who is 15 mos never got to meet him, i'm expecting our second child now and it makes me sad that he won't meet this one either. Thanks for sharing this with us.

yasmine said...

oh, condolences dear. i'm sorry. thanks for sharing such beautiful memories with us. he seems like a very wonderful, handsome man.

bless him. and bless you and your family.

xoxo
yasmine

Lucy said...

Thank you. We are missing him badly this week with our family reunion. It just isn't the same without his stories and laugh.

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