***NOTE*** This is a small tribute to my father Joe Stivers, who passed away on October 10, 2008. Please visit Remembering Joe Stivers for more information.
Happy birthday, Dad.
I miss you so much, as I do every day. This morning I woke up and immediately thought of you, and wondered what you would be doing for your 62nd birthday if you were still here with us. Perhaps a trip to Galveston? Or maybe a trek closer to this way? Either way, I know you would have had fun.
Today, I remember that little camping trip we took back when I was 10 years old. Well, not so much a 'camping' trip, but rather waking up and leaving the house at 5:00am, driving out to some point in the wilderness and cooking breakfast over a fire. Those were the best sausage and eggs I've ever had. Thank goodness you had the foresight to bring pepper - your preferred seasoning.
Not far from the spot where we had breakfast, there was a babbling brook filled with small rocks. I clearly remember when you took a quarter from your pocket and placed it underneath the one pale rock that stood out from the rest. You told me that if we ever returned to that spot, the quarter would still be there.
And sure enough, when we returned to that little plot of land somewhere north of Huntsville two years later, we found that same rock and the same quarter undisturbed. Again, we left the quarter underneath the rock so that we could rediscover it if we ever returned.
Well, Dad, it seems that you are the only one who knows exactly where that quarter is today. Because I cannot remember the location of that piece of land for the life of me. Maybe someday, either by coincidence or some strange force of nature, I will find myself standing on the edge of that brook looking down at that pale rock. But until then, that quarter will remain as evidence of our visit, and one of the fondest memories I have.
Mom and I miss you so much, Dad. We always send out our love to you, and keep you in our prayers.
Your loving son,
Alex
No comments:
Post a Comment