Monday, March 21, 2011

My Dad

Here's my Dad, Paul Rutherford, taken when he was in the Marines stationed at Oahu, Hawaii.  He was stationed there right after the Pearl Harbor attack and this is where he met my Mom, who was also a Marine. He and Mom were married 63 years and he would have been 89 years old this month.

I always liked this picture as I think it shows a little of his spunk and I think he looks so very handsome.  But then, I always thought my Dad was a handsome man, with beautiful twinkling blue eyes.

The last few years have been difficult for him, confned to a bed or wheelchair due to Parkinsons Disease and Diabetes.  He yearned to be in his flower beds and workshop and being confined was like a prison for him.  Well he broke free of the chains on Friday, March 11 at 12:55 am.  I had the blessing of being with him when he took that last breath and felt a great loss for myself and my family, but joy for my Dad in that is was finally set free.

Last Fall, my Dad told me he had been talking to God all night about why he was still here, and that God told him he would be coming home in the Spring.  Well the calendar may have said that Spring was a few days away, but the weather was beautiful and was the closest thing to Spring that I could imagine.  I guess God has a different schedule for His seasons than our calendars show.

Here is  picture of my Mom and Dad that was taken around 24 years ago.  All the grandkids are grown now and four of them have children of their own.  This is another favorite picture as my Dad and Mom loved their grandkids and were always there to help out when they needed to be picked up after school or needed some TLC. 

God is good and blessed me with wonderful parents that taught me the importance of faith, service, family and being a good person.  They may be gone in body, but they live on in our lives.

I don't have anything new to share with you in my quilting, but I have taken solace in my handwork, quilting on my Circus Stars and making my Hexagons.  Maybe soon I will have something to share. 

Teresa
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19 comments:

  1. FlourishingPalmsMarch 21, 2011 at 7:54 PM

    I'm sorry for you for the loss of your dad. He was most certainly a handsome man! And in a uniform... oo-la-la! I'm glad you could be with him when he died. Understandably, sewing and stitching is providing solace, as is talking to God.

    Now which one of those kids in the photo are you!?

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  2. HelenMarch 21, 2011 at 8:24 PM

    Teresa,

    You have such wonderful memories of your father. Loss of a parent is very hard, I know that from personal experience.

    We all know that it's pretty common to outlive your parents; thankfully, because them losing their children would be a horrible thing and would break their hearts.

    That doesn't make loss any easier for us. But as you said, your dad was ready to go to his heavenly home.

    My prayers are with you for peace.

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  3. BrendaMarch 21, 2011 at 8:47 PM

    Praying for you. So sorry about your loss. It is very difficult to lose a parent. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

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  4. Julie FukudaMarch 21, 2011 at 8:52 PM

    My Dad was almost 99 when he died two years ago. I have a good idea what you are feeling. Those pictures and experiences will remain as warm reminders and soon you will be finding bits and pieces of him that remain in you. I find more and more I am like my dad in so many ways.

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  5. JanetMarch 21, 2011 at 9:02 PM

    You have my deepest sympathy. Good memories and photos are the best comfort. I miss my Mom and Dad every day. Like you I am thankful for all their love and all they taught me. I love talking to my sisters about them. Sometimes we laugh so hard over good times.

    To the outside world we all grow old. But not to brothers and sisters. We know each other as we always were. We know each other's hearts. We share private family jokes. We remember family feuds and secrets, family griefs and joys. We live outside the touch of time. ~Clara Ortega

    I hope you are close to your siblings. They know how you are feeling.

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  6. Ellen JMarch 21, 2011 at 9:06 PM

    You didn't share the beach picture - how sad!

    Seeing the picture of us with Grandma and Grandpa helps me remember him when he was still "rolling around in the dirt" years ago.

    I love you.

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  7. O'QuiltsMarch 21, 2011 at 9:13 PM

    I am sorry for your loss. My mother also has Parkinson's. It is a tough disease. Great pictures for a great memory.

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  8. RuthMarch 21, 2011 at 9:30 PM

    My Dad was almost 89 when he died in 2001. He and my mother were married 65 years. We were blessed as you were and I'm sure you have many happy memories. It is such a blessing to have grown up in a happy family. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Today, the robins brought back memories of my Mom, because they were her favorite bird.

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  9. tirane93March 21, 2011 at 11:42 PM

    i am so sorry for your loss but so very glad you had such wonderful parents!

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  10. ThimbleannaMarch 22, 2011 at 8:39 AM

    Oh Teresa -- I'm so sorry about your dad. Your post brought tears to my eyes -- it sounds like your father was a wonderful man. And you have great family memories to help you through this sadness. Sending hugs your way!

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  11. CarrieMarch 22, 2011 at 9:50 AM

    He does look like a very handsome man. I'm so sorry. It sounds like he was very loved and will be sorely missed.

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  12. StitchinByTheLakeMarch 22, 2011 at 7:27 PM

    Teresa I know your heart is hurting and I am hurting with you. My parents were married 63 years when Dad died. Mother died 4 months later. Their loss impacts my life in more ways than I ever dreamed. Stitching was my solace too. Your dad's picture reminds me of my dad - I have a similar one of him in uniform. blessings, marlene

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  13. FlossMarch 23, 2011 at 2:23 PM

    What a lovely way to remember your dad, sorry for your loss.

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  14. julieQMarch 23, 2011 at 2:24 PM

    Your Dad was certainly a handsome man...I am so sorry for your loss.

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  15. LuAnnMarch 23, 2011 at 11:37 PM

    Your post and photos made me miss my parents. I think of them every day, and I'm not sure we ever get over missing them. You're right that parts of them live on in us. Thanks for sharing your memories of your Dad. You have my sympathy. God Bless You and your family.

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  16. em's scrapbagMarch 25, 2011 at 3:06 PM

    Your father was very handsome. He sound like a very good man. I know you will miss him.

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  17. AnonymousMarch 25, 2011 at 11:40 PM

    Dear Teresa, I am sorry for the loss of your Dad...no wonder your mum feel in love with the handsome man in uniform with the twinkling blue eyes....my parents are elderly and I worry so about my Dad....my Mum....bless her is fighting fit....and sometimes some of things she gets up to make me roar with laughter....such an iron will....thankyou for sharing part of your Mum and Dad with me....hugs lyn

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  18. RaewynMarch 27, 2011 at 2:02 PM

    I am really sad to hear about your father's passing; what a wonderful tribute you have paid for him. I hope the wonderful memories and the handwork help you to get through this difficult time.

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  19. Purple PamMarch 27, 2011 at 8:52 PM

    Sorry for your loss. Your dad was very handsome. No wonder your Mom fell in love with him. You will get back to quilting when you are ready. Take care of yourself.

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