In honor of my father

This post is not a post about my life in Rome.  But a post dedicate to my father, Jerry Garcia.  As most of you know he passed away on July 15th.  I am so glad l was able to go to Albuquerque in May/June to be with him prior to moving to Rome. 

My dad was more than a father to me.  He was my inspiration.  My muse!  In addition to being the most forgiving man I have ever known; he had a heart of gold.  So giving to everyone around him, so gracious.   One of my fondest memories was when I was a little girl.  He would take me cereal at night before I would go to sleep.  Of course he would make me get up to brush my teeth prior to falling asleep.  My dad….always wanting to make sure I ate.   

No matter where I was, or what I was doing, he was always there for me:  as I grew up into an adult, my military service, my running (especially my marathons), finishing college, working hard in my career, my independence, and everything else in my life.
 

 

 

  

As he encouraged me, he was constantly concerned about my well-being (as he was with all of his kids).  He would say to me, “Be careful when you go skiing.  Don’t hit a tree.  Or watch out for the avalanches.”  I would reply, “Dad, I’m not Eddie” – my oldest bro.  And he would say, “Don’t go running in the dark.  Make sure you go running in the day before it gets dark.”  “Make sure you eat breakfast before you go to work.”  My dad was always worrying about his kids.

 

A story to be shared about his and my mom’s visit in 2009:  At that time I was living in the burbs of Seattle – Bellevue, WA.  In the mornings, my dad and I would go walk on this beautiful trail.  Obviously most trails in the NW are breathtaking.  Anyways, on this particular trail we would walk and walk and walk.  Three miles to the “Spider web” portion of the trail and then three miles back.

 

 

  

The last day we were four miles into it.  I noticed a senior citizen couple way ahead of us.  I said “Dad, I’m going to run and catch up to them.  Let’s you and I rally at the end of the trail.”  As the trail continued on a steep incline, I started my sprint.  Well knowing I could catch up to the couple.      

Next thing you know, I hear someone behind me.  I knew it!  It was my dad!   We ran up that hill, passed the senior couple and made it to the end of the trail.  Oh what a joy it was to run with my father.  And for us to pass two senior citizen pups (that were junior to him).   

 

 

 

 

 

Last August (2012) he came to visit me solo.  This is a picture of him on Alki Beach – Seattle.  This was my hood (West Seattle).  That is where I lived prior to moving to Rome.  And I sure do miss it. 

 

 

 

We would go run around the track together.  I would run, he would walk.  I would stop running just to be with him.  Just to stop, walk, and talk with him.  And to pull at his ears.  He never liked it, but throughout the years he always allowed me to pull at them.  It was my annoying way of showing him my love and he knew it. 

 

We also took a drive out to Snoqualmie Falls.  He really enjoyed that.  Here are two pictures of when we were there.    

 

 

 

 

 

We rode the Seattle Ferris Wheel.  He struck up a conversation with a little girl while we were on it.  They both agreed it was going way too slow.  We did everything that I had hoped for during that visit.  We walked a lot. We talked a lot. We went to the movies.  Oh yeah, and we ate a lot! It was such a fantastic time during his visit.  I did not want him to leave!

 

 

 

 

 

I have lived throughout the world.  And my dad would write to me the most, out of everybody.  They may not have been “letters” per se.  Perhaps just newspaper clipping.  Or maybe just an old photo and one stamp.  But he would send me things all the time; no matter where I lived.  Oh how I will miss the opportunity of opening up one of his envelopes now that I am in Rome. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a picture of him with my nephews Andrew and Nathaniel.  And my niece Olivia.   A hike in Jemez NM – my dad’s geographical “lineage.”     

 

 

 

Here is one of him solo after the hike.  My dad was in such excellent, admirable shape.

 

 

As I continue on with my “journeys” in life, I will continue to hear my dad’s voice encouraging me.  As he always did, and how he always will…

My photo album contains some of my favorite pictures of my dad.  Please be patient it takes a few for the pics to load.  Here is the link:

https://picasaweb.google.com/118086643884541631322/DadSAlbum#


For all of you who kept my family in your thoughts and prayers thank you for your support!  In addition, much gratitude for those of you who took the time out of your schedule to make it to my dad’s services; especially those from out of town. 

In closing, I would like to share this song by the Cure – One More Time.

As I listen to it, I can’t help but picture my dad holding me in his arms when I was a little girl.  And reaching me up to the sky.  Please be patient it takes a few for the song to load.

The lyrics are:

I'd love to touch the sky tonight
I'd love to touch the sky
So take me in your arms
And lift me like a child
And hold me up so high

And never let me go
Take me
Take me in your arms tonight

Hold me
Hold me up so high
And never let me down
Hold me
Hold me up so high
To touch the sky
Just one more time

 

“To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.” – Thomas Campbell

~Jerrie