It is not the day we are born
nor the moment of our passing
that leaves a lasting mark.
It is the dash inbetween
the life we have lived
that shapes and touches our hearts.
February 15 1922 - August 11, 1992
Parkes Van Horn
My father was a wonderful man who accompllished many amazing things even though he had led a very difficult childhood. His mother was sick for many years with MS, and passed away when he was merely 9 years old. By the time he was 11 he was orphaned, and had to live with who ever would take him in. He started working at the age of 12 as a door to door salesman. Dispite all of his hardships he eventually went in the Navy as well as the Army, and served in WWII. He worked his way through college graduating from Rice University in Houston, TX to become a aeronautics engineer. He practically raised me and my brother by himself, and we never went without. There is no way that I could ever attempt to fill his shoes, yet his integrity and example have carried me, and continue to move me forward.
Beautiful tribute!
ReplyDeleteLovely tribute Carrie
ReplyDeleteYou are so right about it being what is in between that matters, Carrie! And I really enjoyed reading about your father, a self-made man with integrity!
ReplyDeleteThis is sooooo true.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful tribute to your father, Carrie!
ReplyDeleteI quite agree it's the space between that matters...
ReplyDeleteYes it is the 'life' in between... your father sounds like a remarkable man and you are so proud of him.. what memories you must have.
ReplyDeleteLovely Magpie
A man who faced with adversity, overcame against all the odds. A man to be proud of - a wonderful man and father.
ReplyDeleteThe 'in between' is the legacy we leave. Great piece.
Great tribute
ReplyDeleteWOW so. That's what we are,what we've lived and left behind
Smiles, my dear Carrie!
Absolutely true!!!I've always believed it's not what awaits us in the end of our journey that matters but the paths we choose to walk on as we go on our journey that matters.
ReplyDeleteI bet as you are proud of your father,he must be really proud of you!
A great write!!!A great tribute to a father from a daughter!!
oh what a beautiful tribute! Your dad must be a wonderful person... and you must miss him!.. i so agree with you.. its the dash in between...:)
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Ruth
Excellent poem and tribute.
ReplyDeleteAnd he looks way better in uniform than I ever did.
what a great tribute I have and aunt and uncle served in the Navy on Pearl and mu husband served in the Marines in Nam. I am honored in your sharing your fathers story I hope he is always remembered.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteAmazing what one can do with their life. You must be so proud ...
ReplyDeleteoh how lucky were you to have a Dad that knew how to live the right life. Bravo to him and to your family.
ReplyDeleteCarrie, how blessed you are. What a great man.
ReplyDeleteYou are blessed to have a father like that, and he is blessed to have a daughter to recognize it.
ReplyDeleteSo very true and a wonderful tribute to your father!
ReplyDeletethank you for sharing this
Your father had quiet a dash. Beautiful tribute, Carrie.
ReplyDeleteThank you everyone for taking the time to read it....and for you sweet comments....i have enjoyed reading everyones takes on the prompt very much....look forward to Magpie every week Willow :-)
ReplyDeleteGood write! You Father was also a very handsome man! Thanks
ReplyDeleteBeautiful tribute!
ReplyDelete:)
Quite a tribute piece. Nice Mag. Love and Light, Sender
ReplyDeleteThank you Annell i think so to....:-)
ReplyDeleteHi Gabriela glad you stopped by. :-)
Thanks for the compliment Sender...really enjoyed reading Annell's Gabriela and Sender...hope you all have a great weekend! :-)
"the dash in between" -- that's what matters, and the word dash can be taken two ways, the punctuation between the dates or the mad dash that is a life, over all too soon
ReplyDeleteA fine tribute to an inspirational father.
ReplyDeleteIt is a quick trip in between indeed. Your father looked a dashing man too, on top of his other qualities. You must be so proud!
ReplyDeleteA lovely tribute to a fine man.
ReplyDeleteI really really like this poem, Carrie! The "dash" in between is also a metaphor for how quickly life passes. It truly is too short. You've expressed this so perfectly!
ReplyDeleteRick
how true..i try to use my dash well...before it ends...
ReplyDeleteThis was such a beautiful tribute to your father and to life in general. Your father certainly traveled some difficult roads but he faired the journey so well to have succeeded in life as he did. He is certainly an amazing man!!
ReplyDeleteLovely tribute Carrie.. I so loved the way you used the dash in between...Your father was truly a winner...Cheers..
ReplyDeleteWhat a story, what a man! Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThe metaphor of the crack as a dash is lovely.
Thank you everyone for stopping by and reading it....your comments are a wonderful blessing! I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! :-)
ReplyDeleteWonderful tribute to your father. Sweet magpie!
ReplyDeleteCarrie, your father was an amazing man. Some people have so much but do so little. Your father sounds just the opposite.
ReplyDeleteA lovely tribute and surely a fine man!
ReplyDeleteOh, your tribute to your father shows so much love, and so deserved from what you told us here. You were so lucky to be raised by a man with such integrity, Carrie.
ReplyDeleteThank you Southwest Arkie, Stevie, Tublewords and Lydia for stopping by and reading it....writing about my father is something i never tire of....i do miss hime very much.
ReplyDeleteYeh..."the dash inbetween."
ReplyDeleteVery nice!
Wonderful tribute... sounds like a great man who lived life leading by example.
ReplyDeletesmart one.
ReplyDeletewell put and a lovely message for all to think and take.
This is an excellent tribute. It's wonderful to have heroes, and wonderful to have one in your own family.
ReplyDeleteThank you Giovanni,Reflections,Jingle, and Jim your comments are a blessing especially on a Monday morning! :-)
ReplyDeleteThe "dash" is one of my favorites. Always think of it when I see a tombstone. Your dad was an amazing person - he looks a lot like Elvis to me! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWonderful poem, Carrie, and an amazing piece on your father! Clearly, you have followed his example of integrity, tenacity and dedication. I suspect he would be very proud of you...:)
ReplyDeleteThank you theperfectionproject, and Lynette...for your sweet comments...and i have said that before, that he looked like Elvis when he was young...Lynette i always consider what he would think in all that i do....thank you for saying that....it makes my heart swell. :-)
ReplyDeletecarrie,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this wonderful, heartfelt tribute to your father.
It was very nicely written and so kind of your to share this very special memory.
Best wishes,
Eileen :)
carrie. this is an amazing piece, both the poem and your description of your father. hugs
ReplyDeleteyour father led an inspiring dash...what a great write to give tribute and show your love!
ReplyDeleteDear Carrie,
ReplyDeleteIt seems both of us are honouring our loved ones this week.
A loving tribute indeed.
Thank you Eileen Templeton Caty and Ninotaziz....this one was a special poem for me.
ReplyDelete:-)
Oh Carrie! This was just perfect!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry I haven't come by in a while to visit. This is a lovely tribute to your father.
ReplyDelete