(Originally posted December 2010) I’ve heard a lot of wonderful things about my dad over the past few days, and I’ve had plenty of time – more than I ever wanted – to think about the characteristics that made him so loveable. My dad was a rare combination of funny, sweet, generous, hard-working, and complete and utter smart ass.
I was, and always will be, a daddy’s girl. I will never forget him taking me to WWF Wrestling Superstars and pretending for my sake that it wasn’t fake, watching Star Trek with me, and packing the whole family up for Pez conventions. He and I were collectors of oddities, lovers of weirdness and laughers at inappropriate jokes. Just a few weeks ago my dad told me he missed my purple hair. He was just so cool.
My mom was the absolute center of my dad’s universe; I think that’s my favorite thing about him. There are plenty of boys in Chicago who can tell you that it’s my dad’s fault they weren’t good enough for me. And one who can tell you I fell in love with him because he reminds me so much of my dad.
My parents taught me everything I know about true love. That it isn’t always perfect, but it’s real. They were best friends – the kind you only see in the movies. No one can make my mom laugh the way my dad did. His made up words, the way he nicknamed everyone, his silly dances, his pranks.
I remember my mom being afraid my dad would get in trouble at work for pulling something over on the wrong person. Like the time he glued all the recycling end-to-end just to watch people scratch their heads at the impossible tower of garbage. Or the time he Photoshopped himself into someone else’s family vacation photo. The other night my sister told me about a time, a few years ago, when dad hid a cicada shell in her make up bag and hid around the corner with my mom. They laughed so hard they nearly peed their pants when she spotted the shell, flung her bag into a basket on the wall and knocked everything down in the bathroom in the process.
As much as he loved to give people a hard time, no one had a bigger heart than my dad. He cried when he had to fire people at work. His heart broke for a co-worker’s sick child, and for the children he’d see in Mexico without any shoes or toys. So when people say to me “He was a sweet, sweet man,” all I can say is “He really was.”
My dad lost his own father when he was a teenager, I remember him telling me that was why it was so important that we grew up close to my cousins, uncles and my aunt. Family sticks together. So here we are, saying goodbye to the man we all loved more than words can say. And we’re together, the way he would have wanted us to be.
Today our hearts are broken. The world has lost a truly wonderful person; everyone in this room has lost a friend. But when I close my eyes and I see his warm smile, I’m honored to say that man was my dad. My first love, my favorite guy – and I will miss him always.
What a beautifully written heartfelt tribute to your father.
Cheers to a wonderful man!
What a beautiful tribute. May he rest in peace.
Natalie, I’m so sorry for your loss. He sounds like he was an amazing man.
Well written and thoughtful way to memorialize your Dad. So sorry for your loss. To your Dad and to your writing, a powerful tool for navigating hardships.
That’s lovely. He sounds wonderful. Take care and take it one moment at a time. x
You are very fortunate to have your hero for a father. He must have been very proud of you as well. Keep his love alive through your good works.
This is a very beautiful tribute! All my prayers are with you and your family in this hard time… I know what it is to lost a dad, it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever get through, but he’ll be with me always, as yours will be with you.
Take care.
This was beautiful.
Thinking of you and your family xoxoxoxo much love
Aw, Natalie. This made me cry. Your dad sounds like he was a truly great guy. All my love to you and your family, honey. xx
Awww I’m so sorry to hear about your dad. You and your family are in my thoughts. Take it easy…it will get better.
A very nicely written tribute to someone I would have
enjoyed knowing. Like someone said Natalie–the relationship
and love you had for him was amazing. That will
live forever.
Derek
My heart goes out to you and your family. I hope you always continue to find peace and hope in the memory of your family.
Beautifully written, Natalie. Your entire family has my sympathies.
Your dad sounds like a wonderful man, and your relationship with him reminds me so much of mine with my own father. Reading this has truly reminded me how important it is to cherish every memory we have together. I am so sorry for your loss, I can only imagine how much you must miss him. My thoughts are with you, Natalie.
Your dad sounds like an awesome dude. I’m so sorry for your and your family’s loss. We’re thinking about you and your family, buddy.
Is so beautiful what you wrote, it made me mourn and remember my dad who is in Chicago (I’m in Mexico) and has 10 years have not seen him in person and I miss dearly.
A beautiful tribute to your dad. Sorry for your loss. Wishing you all good things in 2011.
So sweet. There aren’t any words I can say that will help or not sound cliche… so I’ll just leave it at your dad sounds like a special guy, and the fact that he’s remembered so fondly by so many speaks to that. Leaving a trail of great memories & many people truly saddened by your passing is the best testament to who a person was. He’ll live forever, in those memories and in your hearts & thoughts.
I hope you & your family have a wonderful 2011.
I’m so sorry for your loss Natalie. My thoughts are with you and your family. Take care of yourself and keep strong, the great memories you have will last forever. 🙂
From someone that lost her Mom 17 years ago and it hurts as much today as it did then, I want to thank you. For a well written, heart felt tribute that would do your Dad proud. It truly touched me. The way you felt about your Dad is the way we all hope our kids will feel about us. Looks like he did it. Good for him and you! You are in my thoughts today.
Your words are so beautiful- I could picture everything you said happening. I am so sorry for your loss, it seems like your Dad was beyond amazing. A lot like my own. Thank you for sharing this. Thinking of you and your family. <3
My goodness I have a lump in my throat and tears streaming! I can truley relate with what your going through, my Dad passed in July. Hold on to the silly songs, crazy nicknames and smartass remarks and share them with your kids! He lives in you everyday! Thanks for sharing! Laugh & Love for him everyday!
Amazing guy and an amazing family. I know nothing we can say will ease your pain. But you & your family are in my thoughts.
Aw Natalie, I am so sorry for your loss. I lost my Dad this past year and even if you are prepared for it (as I was – my Dad was sick for a while), nothing can compare to the feeling of losing a parent. Of knowing that one of the people who brought you in to this world is no longer here themselves. The sorrow is immense. All I can say is treasure your memories and all the things you will hear about him from friends and family. He sounds like a truly charming man and loving father; his light touched many people. You and your family are in my thoughts. ((((((hugs)))))) Cat
Aw, this is so sweet! Lost my own dad so long ago, but I still miss him every day. Love hearing stories about awesome dads! Made me shed a tear but smile at the same time. Memories are an awesome thing. Love to you and your family!
We are truly sorry for you loss, Natalie. What a wonderful and special story about who he was. What a gift to have had such a wonderful dad. ~Chris Ann & Kristin
So sorry for you loss Natalie~What a wonderful story and memory of you dad. What a gift to have had such a wonderful dad. ~Chris Ann & Kristin
Thank you for sharing your dad with us. My deepest sympathies to you and your family. I truly understand your loss and my thoughts are with you.
I’m so sorry for your loss. This is a wonderful tribute to your dad. I didn’t know him but he sounds wonderful. My thoughts are with you and your family.
what a beautiful letter to your Dad.
he is SO proud of you, I am absolutely positive.
you are very lucky to have the parents you do.
your mum is amazing.
I am so very sorry for your loss.
Ngaire
x
I am so sorry for your loss, this was a beautifully written tribute.
May he rest in peace.
Natalie-
I just wanted to send my codolences on the loss of your dad. I worked with your mom years and years ago at Troy. (almost 20). I still remember vividly the vibrancy of your family…something I’ve always admired, and served as much inspiration as I raised my own family. What you’ve written here is so beautiful. No doubt you’ve made both your parents proud.
You will be in my thoughts.
-Holly Gaylord Bontkowski
P.S. Had to smile reading that Matt at Family Tattoo has done many of your tattoos. My brother is there, too (Bill Smiles). Small world…
I am very sorry for your loss. I too am a daddy’s girl and can not imagine what you must be going through. Thank you for sharing your story with all of us. Your dad seems like an amazing person.
Natalie, this is an absolutely beautiful tribute to your Father.
dear natalie, i am so sorry for your loss. your dad sounded like a really great person, loving, funny and sweet. my husband lost his father very suddenly five weeks ago and it’s been such an emotional time, it’s amazing that underneath the baking, blogging and business stuff there is real life and sadness going on, it’s brave of you to write about it here and i’m glad you did, it connects people. i love my dad so much too and reading your tribute made me teary-eyed.
take care!
xo lyndsay
I only just came across your blog after hearing about it on cupcake wars last night. And I was so touched to read this beautiful tribute to your father. It made me think so much of my own father who passed away several years ago – but it seems like yesterday. He sounds like a wonderful man and I’m reminded of something we heard from a friend when my dad passed – that the world was a much richer place for him having lived, but that it’s also so much poorer now that he’s gone. Know that someday the memories which sadden your heart right now will someday comfort it as well. All the best.
What a wonderful man and role model! I don’t know where you live, but I am in Las Vegas & I go to a butterfly release every year in honor of my son who passed away, you purchase a butterfly & whisper a message into the butterflies ear and everyone lets the butterflies go at the same time, the story goes since butterflies cannot speak they will carry the message to your loved one in Heaven, it is very therapeutic experience. Stay strong!!
Beautifully written. There’s a lot of warmth and love in your words. So very sorry for your family’s loss.