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Happy Father's Day, Pop. I Miss You.

By
Real Estate Agent with New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County

Today is Father's Day.

Pop would have been 94 if he was still "physically with us."  Pop was born in 1919... and passed away in 1988.

He's probably spending today watching one of the golf tournaments on television.  I hear they have some pretty nice recliners where he is.  I also hear the cable reception is much better where he is than any of the available cable "down here."

For much of last night, and much of this morning, I spent quite a bit of time thinking about him.  Actually... I think about him a lot more often than that.

Once again... I found myself on YOU TUBE.  I was listening to some of the songs that were popular in the 1940′s… when my Dad was in his early 20′s and my Mom was two years younger than that.

There were so many great songs there… so many songs that surrounded Dad and Mom… way back then.

I was mostly listening to songs from WW2. 

Pop was “over there” when I was born early in 1944.  I have a letter that my Mom sent my Dad… showing him a picture of her holding lil ol’ me… newly born.  How could you tell it was me she was holding?  Well... that little baby was sticking its tongue out... so that about cinches the fact that it was me... LOL.

Almost all of the songs were sung by Vera Lynn.  Two of them were… “You’ll Never Know” (Vera Lynn, 1943) and "When the Lights Go On Again” by Vera Lynn.

They were followed by Ms Lynn… who became Dame Vera Lynn… singing After The Rain, and We’ll Meet Again , and the incredible When I Grow Too Old to Dream.  The list goes on and on and on.  You get the picture.

And then I found an interview with Dame Vera:  Dame Vera Lynn on GMTV.  It was just simply amazing.  You Tube… in many, many ways… almost makes the past “live again.”

All songs celebrated “the troops”… with the fervent hope and intent that they would someday return.

It’s quite ironic.   The older I get, the more my Dad and his memory mean to me… and the more I realize just how much he went through to finally come home to me and my Mom as we waited for him in Cleveland.

Happy Father's Day, Pop.  I miss you.

*                                        *                                        *

Posted by

Joni Bailey
101 Main St. Realty - Huntsville, TX
Your Huntsville / Lake Livingston Area REALTOR®

Good Evening, Karen. I am just dropping by to say hello and to see how you are doing. Praying for a speedy recovery!!

Jul 25, 2013 11:22 AM
Patricia Feager, ABR,CRS,GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Karen Anne - Just dropping by to wish you a speedy recovery. I am praying for you. It was great to talk to you a few weeks ago. Stay strong.

Jul 25, 2013 12:32 PM
Karen Anne Stone
New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Real Estate

Robert:  I don't know what we as Americans would have done if it weren't for our Fathers' (and Mother's) generation.

My "procedure"... my oral surgery, they tell me it went well.  It was done last Friday, and I have an appointment with them tomorrow, Friday July 26th, for an update.

Mary:  Yes, memories.  And yes, I miss my Dad as well.  I am grateful for your kind thoughts and prayers.

Kay:  I just love your hubby calling you "Mildred."  What a great name for a Mom to have in their generation.  I have known several other "Mildred's" from their generation, but it's a name that has fallen out of favor, I fear.

Rebecca:  Wow... ten siblings.  I bet that is quite a get-together.  I bet you folks could talk forever.  What a blessing.

Kristin:  Those songs have always been a part of my memory base.  My Mom played them all the time back in the forties and fifties when I was growing up.  I was born in 1944.

Silvia:  My Dad would be 95 this coming January.  Luckily we shared a lot until he passed in 1988.  Some bad, but much more good.  Wow... 95 years old.

Recovery for me?  Some days I really wonder.  I have my oral surgery follow-up tomorrow morning at the Oral Surgery Clinic at the hospital.  If they clear me, and if my cardiac surgeon agrees, then it's on to my Aortic Valve Replacement.  Honestly, some days I really, really wonder if I will make it through.

Jul 25, 2013 01:27 PM
Karen Anne Stone
New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Real Estate

Sherry:  You are welcome.  I really hope folks understand my lack of responding.  I have been so overwhelmed by all of this.

Again... recovering?  It is a major struggle.  Most days I cannot get enough sleep.  I just feel so "drained."  Thank you for your kind thoughts and wishes.  Depending on my appointment tomorrow, my aortic valve surgery should be fairly soon.  It just all depends.

Joni:  I appreciate your prayers.  A speedy recovery?  I am just hoping to recover... period.  And honestly, most days I really wonder.  Thank you again for your kind thoughts.  I wonder.  Do they have a good cardiac hospital in Wasilla?  <silly smile>

Patricia:  I enjoyed talking with you a few weeks ago as well.  A speedy recovery?  Well, right now I will be happy with any sort of recovery my surgeons, nurses and team can bring.  I so appreciate your thoughts and prayers.  I really, really need them.  Take care.

Jul 25, 2013 01:36 PM
John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM
Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

Good morning Karen -

Touching base to see how you are doing and making sure all went well during your surgery.  Our grandson had his big surgery as well and he's now home and in recovery mode.  It left him with a bad attitude which we hope will pass when he comes off many of the medications.  Take care my friend.

Jul 27, 2013 11:49 PM
Karen Anne Stone
New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Real Estate

Jon in #44:  I think part of the reason some of my blog posts last so long is that my regular readers know that if the topic is right, a dialogue might develop not only between myself and those who comment, but in between themselves as well... which they are encouraged to do.  So... they come back... sometimes after quite a while.

And, this particular post has also turned into a bit of a medical update in itself.

I am sure it is also partially due to the "space" between my posts.  I no longer hustle to get a post completed before the week is up to make sure I get in my allowed ten posts.  I quite doing that about two years ago.  Much less pressure.

Jul 29, 2013 02:02 PM
Dagny Eason
Dagny's Real Estate - Wilton, CT
Fairfield County CT, CDPE Homes For Sale and Condo

Karen Anne - You must be coming up on your August surgery - I had no idea that you were going through such difficult times.   I have been too busy to be on AR as much as i should, and missed it all.  Glad to see your comment tonight, which made me check out your post.  (Which was awesome, by the way!)

Best of luck in the surgery, and I will definitely be checking up on you this time afterwards - so leave some comments for us all!

Hugs

Dagny

Aug 01, 2013 11:47 AM
Karen Anne Stone
New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Real Estate

Dagny, thank you so much for your kind thoughts.  My heart surgery will be on Wednesday, August 14th... and I am absolutely petrified.  I've been finding it very difficult to sleep most nights.  Just thinking about it makes me crazy.  Crazier... actually.  It just saps any energy I have left.  I just love breaking out in tears for no apparent reason at all... LOL.  It is simply exhausting.

I know I am being a big baby about it.  There are so many folks who have much bigger burdens.  I wish I was handling this better.  Again, thanks for your kind thoughts... and glad you enjoyed the post about my Pop.

Aug 01, 2013 11:57 AM
Karen Anne Stone
New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Real Estate

Note:  Tomorrow, August 14, 2013 is my Aortic Valve Replacement Surgery.  Here is my Medical update.  I must be at the hospital at 6:00am... with surgery to be performed at 7:15am.  They tell me it will take just under five hours.

Last Medical Update Before Surgery Tomorrow, August 14, 2013.... Thank you in advance for reading it. 

Aug 13, 2013 04:28 PM
Mike McCann Nebraska Land Broker
Mike McCann - Broker, Mach1 Realty Farm & Commercial Land Broker-Auctioneer Serving Nebraska - Kearney, NE
Farm & Commercial Property For Sale 308-627-3700

Karen...I do not even know if you are alive or not...if you are...please come back to AR!!

Apr 09, 2014 11:39 PM
Lou Ludwig
Ludwig & Associates - Boca Raton, FL
Designations Earned CRB, CRS, CIPS, GRI, SRES, TRC

Karen

Thanks for sharing your "pop" story.

Good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig

Oct 05, 2014 05:46 AM
Ron Marshall
Marshall Enterprises - Saint Michael, MN
Birdhouse Builder Extraordinaire

I really wish someone could tell us what happened to Karen Anne Stone.  So many people miss her in the Rain.  It would be at least some comfort to know where she is.

Jan 21, 2015 08:21 AM
Catherine Ulrey
Keller Williams Capital City - Salem, OR
Equestrian and Acreage Property Specialist

Helping to push you over the million points mark Karen!

Jan 22, 2015 01:30 AM
Joanna Cohlan
Fresh Eyes For Your Home - Chappaqua, NY
Designing, Decorating & Staging Westchester Homes

Wishing you a speedy recovery Karen and your post really resonates for me - I miss my mom but so grateful to have memories.

Jan 22, 2015 01:54 AM
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Here's to putting her over the million mark  I sure hope someone ginds a way to find her.

Jan 22, 2015 06:24 AM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

I very much both you and my father Karen Anne Stone! I hope that you are well and plan to return to us some day!

Jan 23, 2015 06:09 AM
Kristin Hamilton CA REALTOR
Berkshire Hathaway California Realty - Beaumont, CA
(909) 557-6966- Specialize 55+ Communties Banning

Hi Karen Anne Stone,

We miss you too and hope to hear from you again. We are all waiting to hear you are recuperating.

Jan 25, 2015 01:48 AM
Captain Wayne - Rowlett Real Estate School
Rowlett Real Estate School - Panama City, FL
Rowlett Real Estate School / Owner and Instructor

Happy Fathers Day.  I hope you and your family have a blessed day.

Jun 21, 2015 12:10 AM
Diana Zaccaro Broker Associate
ZOOM Realty Group - Cocoa Beach, FL
"The Accidental Blogger" Cocoa Beach, Florida

Karen Anne Stone This post is a timeless and a true classic. My father passed last year a couple weeks before Father's Day and I read it then wishing I could write something as beautiful about him. Your truly have a gift for writing.

I hope you will reach out one day to let us know how and what you are doing. 

 

Jun 21, 2015 02:47 AM
Donna Foerster
HomeSmart Realty Group - Parker, CO
Metro Denver Real Estate Assistant

You'll be with your Dad on Father's Day in 2017, sitting beside him in a comfy recliner, listening to old songs and remembering wonderful times. 

Oct 06, 2016 10:48 AM