KatieB Posted June 6, 2005 Share Posted June 6, 2005 My dad had just retired when he found out he had lung cancer. He retired early at 62 so that he and my mom could travel- they never made it. What he did do was build a wooden boat- completely by hand, with old fashioned boatsman tools. He wanted to sail and boat and travel the world in his retirement and just for fun because he no longer worked, just because he could- he wanted his first project to be a small boat for his grandson- my son, Hunter. He always talked about taking him to the lake to "christen" the boat- but the boat never touched water. It sat in the garage where he had built it. In the first few months of his disease, he kept talking that he had to "finished" the boat for Hunter. He had me paint the name on the side of the boat "HUNTER II" and he kept saying that all he had left to do was put the oar holds on the boat, then it would be done. He didn't finish it. I brought the boat to my house about a month ago. 19 months after my dad died. It still doesn't have oar holds but we don't care. We put it in the pool on Sunday and it's sound and solid- kind of like my dad was. We will try it at the lake the next time we go on vacation. My mom and he used to joke around when he was alive that the minute the boat would touch the lake it would sink...mom would laugh at him and dad just grinned and said it would float "100% guarantee"....mom would say.."uh-huh we will see" Well, I hope he saw what he always knew- I hope he saw us on Sunday. I hope he saw Hunter in the HUNTER II. Hunter loved it. And it made me really sad that my dad wasn't the one that was there with him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patkid Posted June 6, 2005 Share Posted June 6, 2005 Oh, Katie, What a wonderful, beautiful, sad, joyful, painful, awesome post. We can only imagine the range of emotions you felt. We are sure the memories will grow and ripen into warm gentle hugs. Blessings. Brat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gail Posted June 7, 2005 Share Posted June 7, 2005 How absolutely beautiful. Your dad is smiling from heaven. gail Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahhappy Posted June 7, 2005 Share Posted June 7, 2005 Oh wow! That is awesome. What a gift- and such a poignant moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Wood Posted June 7, 2005 Share Posted June 7, 2005 The boat is your dad's legacy to you all. What a beautiful story! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Lamb Posted June 7, 2005 Share Posted June 7, 2005 That is wonderful.Thanks for sharing.I know your Dad was watching Hunter and HunterII in the pool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ry Posted June 7, 2005 Share Posted June 7, 2005 Oh wow...what an incredible gift. Hunter and Hunter's children will cherish it forever. That is just so cool! I hope he saw it too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stand4hope Posted June 7, 2005 Share Posted June 7, 2005 What Brat said! WOW! Katie, that is so cool! Love and hugs to you and all your family, Peggy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fay A. Posted June 7, 2005 Share Posted June 7, 2005 I love the photo.....and I believe with all my heart that your Dad was present at the launching of the Hunter II. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kasey Posted June 7, 2005 Share Posted June 7, 2005 Oh Katie~~your dad WAS indeed there with Hunter! (((((The Brown Family))))), Kasey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kel M Posted June 7, 2005 Share Posted June 7, 2005 What a terrific story. It brought a smile to my face and I'm sure it will bring you gentle memories for years to come. Kel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cindi o'h Posted June 7, 2005 Share Posted June 7, 2005 Katie.. I love it. Your Dad was quite a giving man. I just love the photo. He has already blessed Hunter with his own spirit! Beautiful boat. My own Dad also died at age 62 and almost retired, but not quite. He also dreamed of traveling. It is my one regret that he had worked so hard all his life and didn't even get a crack at having full time fun. Get those oars on..that would be so cute to have Hunter paddling Hunter11 around the pool. Cindi o'h Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connie B Posted June 7, 2005 Share Posted June 7, 2005 Katie, Everyone has said all that I was thinking and feeling. Totally a bitter sweet story. ((((((((((KATIE)))))))))))))) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chloesmom Posted June 7, 2005 Share Posted June 7, 2005 Very cool Katie. Your family has a wonderful keepsake from your father. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathy Posted June 7, 2005 Share Posted June 7, 2005 Katie, I am trying to say what I am feeling, but cant find the words, so I am crying instead..I can understand the emotions that were present that day... Such a beautiful gift.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
berisa Posted June 7, 2005 Share Posted June 7, 2005 Katie, it is a very beautiful, very precious gift to you and your son. Thanks for sharing the photo with us. Your dad is a real good dad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatieB Posted June 7, 2005 Author Share Posted June 7, 2005 You "think" that the sad days are the anniversaries (b-days, death-days, holidays) but really for me, it is the special memories that my dad is no longer here to share. The adoption of my daughter (he didn't even know the possibility of her) Hunter's straight A's, or his sports games, or someones new house, car or trip one of us had....and then times like Sunday when the boat finally touched water- really affected me. I know there will be a lifetime of those things- and other's that I love will die and I will go thru it all yet again to differing degrees- It's just such a sad part of life. I try to focus on the positives-and always keep busy, but this one got to me. thanks for the ((hugs)) everyone. i needed that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadstimeon Posted June 7, 2005 Share Posted June 7, 2005 WOW so cool Katie! Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Treebywater Posted June 7, 2005 Share Posted June 7, 2005 So, so beautiful, Katie!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Wood Posted June 7, 2005 Share Posted June 7, 2005 Katie, have you considered keeping a journal to your dad? Get a special notebook and write down for him all these special occasions and tell him about them. A friend recommended this to me and it helped a lot. I could feel the communication as I wrote. My parents died before I married and had kids, and this was a way to share the two generations although I couldn't bring them together. I also shared with my kids things about my parents, even letters they had written me, so I could do that for them (and for me). Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimblanchard Posted June 7, 2005 Share Posted June 7, 2005 This reminds me of one of Becky's favorite songs, "A Boat Like Gideon Brown's" by Great Big Sea. Oh Gideon lived across the bay He's gettin' older now His boat is big and strong and bold She has a stalward bow But my father's boat was second hand One someone used before And after every fishing trip My father always swore That someday he would save enough To go to St. John's town And buy himself a big new boat A boat like Gideon Brown A boat like Gideon Brown Confederation came around And the days of old age pension He said 'Son I'm saving every cent' And this you must not mention You save the baby bonus too And things just might turn around And we'll have enough to buy a boat A boat like Gideon Brown [Chorus] 'Cause she can punch ahead in any gale And ride the fishing ground I often thought how proud I'd be In a boat like Gideon Brown In a boat like Gideon Brown Many years did pass away And Dad began to fade He didn't talk of boats too much He said 'Son I'm afraid' If things don't soon improve Then I'll be underground Before we ever get to see ourselves In a boat like Gideon Brown [Chorus] I sat and held his hand one day And he said 'Son, that policy' The insurance is all in your name You're the beneficiary And when I'm gone they'll pay you off Then go to St. John's town And buy yourself a big new boat A boat like Gideon Brown [Chorus (2x)] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fay Posted June 8, 2005 Share Posted June 8, 2005 Hi Katie, My Mom had a last project too that one of my girl's was lucky to receive. My oldest daughter had an afghan of mine that my Mom made for me years ago. My youngest asked my Mom if she would knit her one. They picked out the wool colors and my Mom worked on it at chemo sessions and at home. It was completed, but not totally put together when she passed away. My great aunt was kind enough to finish it off in time for Jessica's birthday (5 days after Mom died). Her handywork is treasured and used nightly. Keeps her close! I'm sure Jesse is very proud. Hunter is a lucky boy to have a labor of Grandpa's love. Faylene Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharyn Posted June 8, 2005 Share Posted June 8, 2005 Katie..... I only have one word...Awesome. To see your son in that beautiful boat that was made with such love gave me such a feeling of joy. Oh, I am sure your Dad was looking down and enjoying that very moment. The boat was "unsinkable" as was your Dad.... Thanks so much for allowing us to be part of this wonderful story. Love, Sharon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SBeth Posted June 8, 2005 Share Posted June 8, 2005 Katie, Your stories and thoughts about your Dad are so beautiful. Anyone that reads them can easily see what a wonderful man your father must have been to have deserved such love and adoration. He must be so very proud of you and your family and I'm sure he was with you all in the pool for the "christening" of Hunter II. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patut Posted June 8, 2005 Share Posted June 8, 2005 I love the picture - what new memories you are making! Like others said, I know your Dad was there with you and knew exactly what was going on. I too have felt these things. Cyndy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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