Horse Gorilla Buffalo Bear Elephant

Loving, Patient, BIG (he always seemed so big to me), healthy, perservering, curious, intelligent, protective, active, playful, industrious............ social. gone.

all these big animals come to mind. I thought of the horse because they are affectionate, proud, regal in manner and appearance (some might beg to differ), and so handsome. Dad was a looker.

wind and the willows badger

It must be dad's beard and silver hair , what I remember of the book 1 He seemed to look out for every one 2 hard working 3 wise 4 proactive 5 tuff 6 a leader 7 not afraid to get his hands dirty

I also saw the big cat but he was king of the beast to me but the big cat is not that flattering an image

Dad's Totem Animal?

Well Adem you had (have) a really good idea here about Dad. Just a tad upstaged by the great news from Dana and Rob but still a great idea. So what do I think of Dad in animal terms?
Hmm... I like to think of Dad as a mischievous badger...
OK just kidding I saw that movie Taledegah Nights again this week.
Dad as an animal... hmm this is a challenge. I want to say a big cat. But somehow that doesn't seem social or nurturing enough. How about a ferret? Naw just kidding again.
OK I'll settle for a cougar but it has to be a mommy cougar. Check him/her in action...
http://www.extremescience.com/mountain-lion.htm
R

A Clear Message From Dad

As you all may have heard or assumed, Rob and I have had trouble getting pregnant and staying pregnant. We've been to fertility specialists in Kansas City and Little Rock and told that we would probably never have children. In fact, if we hadn't been pregnant twice in the past, they said they would have told us we were sterile. We've been trying to conceive for 6 years and had two miscarriages at 8 weeks along, the last one being 2.5 years ago.

Dad, of course, knew of our plight. We didn't discuss it much because it isn't something I like to talk about, but he knew it was a painful issue for both of us. While in Houston, Dad said to Sherry and to Rob on the phone that he would put in a good word for us when he got to Heaven. I am happy to report that I am now 8 weeks pregnant! The very first chance we had to get pregnant after Dad died, we did. Needless to say it was a BIG surprise since we weren't trying and had just been talking about Rob having a vasectomy.

We are cautiously optimistic about this pregnancy. I was tempted not to tell you until I was further along, but even if this one doesn't pull through (in which case, we're still proceeding with the vasectomy because we don't want to go through it again), I have such a peace about it. To me, it is such a clear message from Dad. There IS a Heaven and he is still very much alive (spiritually and in his new body), watching over us. It's a true testament to his love...and that it can transcend any distance.

I'm terribly sick, which I wasn't the first two times, so everyone is thinking that is good sign. We were afraid with Dad's sense of humor, he might send us 3 or 4 babies, but as you can see from the picture, there's just one.

what was dads animal

Think of dad think of his traits his image and in three days lets all post what animal he would be if he was an animal and why that would be on wednesday . It has come to me that dad represented different things to each of us and it might be neat to see what they might bee.

buzzey like a bee or I dont know how to spell be how could that bee ?

Dreamy Dad

I've got about 3-4 posts percolating in me and sooner or later I'll get 'em down. Just to jog my memory I'll put a prospective title for them here: "Big Love" and "Big Tub", I think there was another but it is escaping me just now. I'm concerned that this one I'm going to write about now would escape me so that is why I decide to get it down. I'll give you a warning - this isn't the most cheery of posts, but I wanted to share it anyway - so here goes.

I've been having dreams of Dad for a while now. It is nice to see him of course and most of the time some part of me in the dream becomes aware that I'm dreaming of my Dad who is dead and this is a dream about him. Well last night I had one that really seemed to be saying something to me - trying to help me come to terms in some small measure with what has come to pass.

In the dream it was the present time and I was at the sea shore - back from it a bit - up on the grass but watching the surf and enjoying the view. I was hanging out with some friends. Dad came along and joined us. He sorta limped into the scene. He looked very tired and frail. We talked about how the treatments were coming along and he was so resigned and defeated. He explained in detail how awful he felt and how he was getting weaker and weaker, how his skin just seemed to be getting thinner and thinner. How his veins hurt and seemed to be turning grey. It pained him to describe his decline. He wasn't whining, he was sorta matter of fact about it but he sounded depressed. Not himself. A bit of commotion from the sea turned both of our attentions from the conversation and we looked out to sea to see a mythically huge wave surging up out of the depths. Surfers were out there but it seemed none would try to catch this beautiful and powerful pulse but in one decisive moment a surfer turned and dropped into the maw of what seemed a certain disaster. But instead with poise he rocketed down the face of the huge wave and carved one long graceful arc across the face of the wave and made it to the safety of the channel. All the people on the beach stood and cheered and applauded as the surfer finished his surfing... walking out of the water and not considering any feeble follow up to that beautiful finish.

In my dream I did not turn back to Dad's description of his on going battle with cancer, but instead began reflecting about what had actually happened. How he seemed strong and determined and beautiful in spirit up until the week before he died. Even possessed those qualities in his last hours. I thought that although I miss him so and wish he was here I can't wish that he lingered in grave illness. And I recalled how Adem described the way Dad went with a metaphor of a guillotine that was held by a rope with a candle burning under it. That the time was always going to be THE time, but in the end it would be swift. And that was the best way... because Dad would not have wanted to be the man in my dream - instead he would have liked to be strong, beautiful, and dignified to the end. Why mess around with little ripples when he'd had the chance to dance in the ocean of life with passion and grace?

mr craby

I allways had hoped to get dad up here. I know he loved his life in Little Rock and would never trade it for the world but still. I started crabbing this week I decided not to go back to work (Ive been a little off and wanted to do what dad would like "you arnt happey about your weight are you son (no dad ) well do something about it (yes dad )"Its not just the work out ,its the making money ,not earning money. Theres a difference for me I like working for my outfit but if I can generate money where there wasnt any with my hands and smarts it makes me whole some how. So last night I was out till 10pm setting 10 pots in the moon light on the frozen sea I knew I have made the right choices. This morning I did a spot check three pots $200 in crab not bad going to set another 10 tomorrow. The best part isnt the money ,I'd make more swinging a hammer, it's doing something dad would love.