I cried as Dad rocked me. “You’re going to be okay Tiddlywinks. Shhhh…” He held me tightly and kissed my forehead.
Tiddlywinks. That was Dad’s special name for his baby girl. To this day, it gives me goose bumps. A name of endearment.
The funny thing about the above story is I don’t remember Dad rocking me that night. Yes, I did something stupid…again. Why did I always have to learn the hard way?
Do you remember those body suits we used to wear (us girls anyway!)? They snapped closed and had long sleeves. Well, one night I decided to try and use one as a skipping rope. I had taken it off except for the arms and swung it up and over my head, and tried to jump.
Apparently, I fell and hit my head (okay, stop laughing). Dad rocked me in an attempt to soothe my crying until Mom came home. When she did and I asked Dad who she was, they rushed me to the hospital. Stat.
To this day, I don’t remember any of this. The only memory I have of that night is waking up under an x-ray machine at the hospital, and a tiny recollection of trying to skip with my body suit.
Even though some may beg to differ, I came away from my attempt of becoming the next body-suit-jumper-gold-medal winner, unscathed. Well, except the part of losing that small piece of memory.
I do remember my father’s love for me. His Tiddlywinks. No matter what stupid act I tried, he still loved me. Reminds me of my Heavenly Father. Every time I fail, His unconditional love never wavers. I must remember to love others in the same manner.
This Thursday (Feb 24th) marks the 11th anniversary of my father’s passing. All who knew him would say the same thing. He was a gentle kind-hearted man who loved his wife, family, friends, church, and Saviour.
Dad, Tiddlywinks misses you.
She put the final touches on the double wedding ring quilt and thought of her own special day. Bert was the love of her life. She glanced at the picture of him. The one taken before the illness stole his mind. Oh, how she missed him. His touch, his laughter, and his presence. The loneliness at times was unbearable, but she clung to the hope she would see him again one day. And he would remember her.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (The Message)
Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.
Love doesn’t strut,
Doesn’t have a swelled head,
Doesn’t force itself on others,
Isn’t always “me first,”
Doesn’t fly off the handle,
Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn’t revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.
Bert “Guitar man” Harrison
Wow I forgot that story. and I don’t remember Dad rocking you,that’s so .I do remember the look on Mom’s face when you didn’t know who she was though. Susie-Q misses you too Dad! LOVE Ya SIS