Tribute to my dad

It's March 6 and I am thinking about my daddy. The anniversary of his death is at the end of this month but I have a harder time in the days leading up to it than on the actual date. Although he has been gone 21 years, I think of him often. He is as much a part of my life now as he ever was because my love for him lives on even though he is in heaven. I sincerely wish that God would occasionally allow a "visitation day" for our loved ones who have passed away to visit us. It is so hard to think you will never see them again in this lifetime.

My dad was born in 1928 in Greeneville to Rufus and Arel Leonard. Legend has it my dad only received two spankings his whole life (which would explain a lot), one for putting a rock under the seat cushion of his dad's buggy. When his dad got back from his trip to town, he made the comment it felt like he had been riding on a rock. Sure enough, he had. He caught my dad laughing and that was spanking number 1.

I love all the stories my Aunt Marie told me about my daddy when he was younger. She was 10 years older than him.

My dad joined the navy when he was 17 and was a cook on a ship in the Pacific during World War II.

He loved music and could play the guitar, piano, banjo, fiddle and bass guitar.

My dad was 17 in this picture.

My dad got married when he was 25 and then along came my two brothers. He shared his love of music with them and his favorite nephew, Rick.

His first marriage ended, he met my mom and then I came along.

My dad was 45 when I was born. A lady on the elevator at the hospital asked him if he was there to see his grandchild and he said "No, my daughter." He nicknamed me LouLou before I was born. His initials were LLL and so were mine (until I got married).

I was definitely a daddy's girl.

I think I got my unique sense of humor from my dad.

My brothers, my dad, me and my nephew.

I grew up listening to "Rocky Top," "I'll Fly Away" and "Orange Blossom Special" at bluegrass festivals, pig roasts, and Paint Creek.

This picture contains my Aunt Marie, my dad and Ma (my grandmother). They are all three in heaven now but I have them with me every day. I have my grandmother's face when she was my age and her ability to draw complete strangers to me that share their life stories even though I have never met them before. I still have my first Bible that my grandmother gave me with my name in gold lettering on the cover. I also have her faith in God. I have my Aunt Marie with me in my love of jewelry, travel, and sense of humor. And I have my daddy with me in my love of music, love of life, my ability to nickname everyone like he did, and my love of family. My dad wasn't perfect, but he loved me, taught me to respect others, and provided me with a wonderful foundation for life. I miss his laughter, his booming voice, and most of all I miss him. He does visit me occasionally in my dreams and when I wake up, I miss him all over again.

If your dad is still alive, give him a big hug, tell him you love him and how much he means to you. I know I will see my dad again someday and I look forward to that family reunion.

I love you, Dad!