"Much may be done in those little shreds and patches of time which every day produces, and which most men throw away." ~Charles Caleb ColtonMy Dad believed in living every moment to the fullest - making every moment count. He woke up early and was productive throughout the day. He kept a three ring binder with his "Things to Do" list for each day (at least 30 things on each day). He started filling in far in advance with the date on top. He used loose leaf paper because his list kept growing. He checked things off throughout the day as he accomplished them. I used to flip forward a couple of weeks and add little notes in his list to call me or I would write I love you. Little happy surprises for him during his busy day.
My father had a very special story about his life and how he lived it. When he was a child his parents had someone over for dinner who said they could see my Dad's future and that he would not live past forty years of age. I am not sure why anyone would tell a person that, but it happened and my Dad lived his life thinking that every moment was an absolute gift! As he approached forty he always had the thought that he could die. He did not share these feelings (except with my mom), but it always lingered in his mind. His whole life was lived to the complete fullest and any day after forty was a "gift". My Dad got twenty-one extra years and I am forever grateful for that!
Wow - what a crazy fortune teller! I'm glad she was wrong! I like reading your posts about your dad - sounds like he was a pretty neat guy.
ReplyDeleteSuch a good message....we feel the same over here :-) Every day with the people you love is a gift. It can get hard sometimes, but it's always worth it!
ReplyDeleteMy hubby just left from being home on leave, then I got sick after he left, so I have so much of your blog to catch up on!
Such a beautiful story about your dad. It is evident, through your words about him, that he was a great man and a great father to you.
ReplyDeleteI love his photo and how you'd flip ahead with sweet little notes to him. Wild story about living to the age of 40. So glad you had the time you did with him. Hope your getting some rest!!!
ReplyDeleteI love your little flashback to memories of your Dad who was so special. And I love how you left him little surprises - though that didn't surprise me.
ReplyDeleteHope LC is doing a bit better and that you're getting some rest too.
What an incredible story. No wonder you are the way you are ( wonderfully sweet and positive), you had an amazing role model! :)
ReplyDeleteOh sweetie. Each and every post your write about your Dad makes me feel even that much closer to the memory of my own. I thank you for that ... I think both of our Dads were pretty remarkable men, and I'm glad we had them (albeit short) for the time we did. **hug**
ReplyDeletei love to read about your dad as much as i enjoy posts on little Chick. What a wonderful Dad you had... what a blessing. I'm so happy he lived 21 extra years from what some crazy fortune teller said..:))
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Ruth
That is a lovely story. Probably one reason why I am terrified of getting my fortune told. Too much information, unless you know how to use it the right way.
ReplyDeleteWhat a remarkable post! and such a thought-provoking quotation at the beginning. I like the idea of keeping a notebook of things to accomplish. It is so easy to totally waste those scraps of the day, rather than put them to so many possible good uses! This is so inspirational!
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteThat was a lovely tribute to your dad..
Dr.Sameena@
www.lovelypriyanka.blogspot.com
www.myeasytocookrecipes.blogspot.com
your dad really sounds like he was one-of-a-kind type of guy! we all need to remember to live each day to the fullest! what a great idea to use a 3-ring binder for his lists .... thanks for sharing : )
ReplyDeletethanks also for asking about ella. she is improving each day so we're holding off on doing any extensive bloodwork at this point. our ped really feels like it was a just a virus that needed time to work through her system. she hasn't had a fever or any of the aches for many days now, and her tummy complaints are fewer each day too. but if she exhibits any symptoms again we're going to request all those tests right away.
have a great day!
jeremi
Your dad continues to be an inspiration for how we should live our lives. What a wonderful gift you gave him by showing how much you loved him every single day!
ReplyDeletewow, again I am amazed by your father and how he lived life...such an example! and what a strange person to tell someone how long they would live??
ReplyDeleteWhat a great story and message! He sounds like an incredible man!
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http://chalkboardstostrollers.blogspot.com/
What an incredible story. Very inspiring.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for checking out my blog, I'm following you back.
that is so cool!!! Keeping a list like that would be really cool for your kids to have one day. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, that's so terrible that someone would tell a child they wouldn't live past forty. Children take things so literally! I saw a fortune teller when I was 10 at a fair who told me I would die at 88 and all these years I have remembered it! Your Dad sounds like such an inspiration.
ReplyDeleteWow. Great post!
ReplyDeleteBTW...I'm hosting my very first giveaway and it's toddler clothing! Come by!
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Wow, that is so cool that your father chose to take that news and live his life to the fullest instead of sulk and feel bad for himself like so many others would do. I don't know why anyone would ever tell a child something like that but it looks like it didn't make a negative impact on his life!
ReplyDeleteA moving little tale, thanks for sharing with us.
ReplyDeleteWow, he sounds like he was an inspirational guy. Always cool to hear about great dads.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad they were wrong. What a neat story though. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeletewhat a lovely story! your dad is a guy after my own heart...i carry around a to-do list like that everywhere!
ReplyDeleteYour father is a great role model!
ReplyDeleteHi Mama Hen! I'm so behind on reading your blog! Your posts about your dad are always so heart warming. Anyone would be lucky just to know him! I'm not sure why anyone would ever tell a child that, but it seems like it made quite an impression on him and taught him a valuable lesson. We all should live each day to the fullest because it really is a blessing!
ReplyDeleteHope you and Lil Chick had a better day!
ReplyDeleteWow! What an inspiring story! You are so grateful to have a father who thought the way yours did. Thanks for sharing! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Mrs. No-No Knows - I am now following you back! Stop by and visit any time. I know I'll be back! :)
Carla aka Mrs. No-No
Mrs. NoNo Knows
Very heart warming story. Thank you so much for visiting my blog. I am a new follower of your great blog too!
ReplyDeleteThank you for such a touching story.
Nancy
Your dad was strong, brave man. I'm so happy you had more years with him then he expected.
ReplyDeleteI sent you some extra luv on my blog today.
http://www.afterbedtimeblog.com/2010/10/extra-luv-for-10-awesome-bloggers.html
How touching! I agree, why would you tell a child that?? Maybe it was to inspire him to live his life to the fullest- which he seemed to have done! What an encouraging story. Great post, Mama!
ReplyDeleteYou are so blessed to have a father like him.
ReplyDeleteHi there, I miss reading your posts - especially when you write about your daddy. I'm glad he was able to live each day of his life to the fullest!! And glad he had an extra 21 years :) So sweet how you flipped ahead in his binder to write notes to him...
ReplyDeleteNow I see where you inherit your good quality and virtue from... I must learn from your dad, and encourage my kids to live life to fullness and list out things they have to do every day!^-^
ReplyDeleteHow interesting to be told such a thing...but maybe it was a blessing in disguise. Maybe the thought of leaving this earth at a young age is what inspired your dad "to live life to the fullest." Wow, to keep a binder of all of your daily goals and to accomplish them--I do have to admire him for that! I can see a lot of him in you. I can tell that you live life to the fullest for you and Little Chick. What a great characteristic/tradition to pass on in your family!
ReplyDeleteMama Hen, your posts about your father always move me. The love you have for him is evident in every one. It's amazing to me the bond that little girls have with their daddies. I am hoping that my girls develop the same kind. I posted about my dad today - Life is definitely a gift!
ReplyDeleteWow, that would be crazy if someone told you at what age you would die. It does make you appreciate the years you have.
ReplyDeleteModest Apple -- A Fashion Blog
As Kirsten would say, the sunnyside of that "fortune teller" was your dad finding joie de vie in every day. Sounds like he had an organized system for doing it, too. We should all learn a thing or two from this post. Your quote sums it up nicely. The little shreds and patches of life can surely slip away quickly if we're not mindful.
ReplyDeleteWhat is wrong with that woman telling a child something as awful as that!
ReplyDeleteYour Dad is always the most amazing person with such a focus on LIFE!!
The world was a better place because of him - I know!
Bianca
The "Let's Talk" Mom
This is such a great post! Sometimes it is easy to forget to live our lives to the full extant and to be grateful for every day we have. This post brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI love your site and your posts. I have started a new Post on my site for featured blog posts. You are my first featured blogger.
The link is http://victoriasvoice44.blogspot.com/2010/10/thursdays-featured-blog-post.html
Vickie