I loved your dad. He was such a great guy. And man, did he love his family. I saw it every time I saw him. He is so very proud of you, Allie Baby. Happy Heavenly birthday John. Semper fi!❤️🇺🇸
This is so beautiful, Allison. What a wonderful tribute to your beloved dad. And what a gift he gave you in asking that soul-enhancing question. 💕
I often think of my Dad's last ever words to me, especially in difficult moments. "It's OK, woman. It's OK." We carry our loved ones with us in the words they give us. 💕
Yes, Michelle. SUCH a gift to carry on their words. I often think about how my dad is still parenting me, even though he’s not “here” to do it. And it’s through the words he left us with and lessons I reflect on now as I age. And as my kids age.
Thanks for sharing a bit of your dad with me here, Michelle. It sounds like he was a wise man - it all IS ok after all, right? ❤️
Allison, my heart is full, tears in my eyes, especially after hearing that voicemail. Oh, what a love he was, and what a love the two of you had! This is such a beautiful love letter, I can imagine him beaming at you, at the gorgeous authentic way you are showing up in the world as your whole self. It takes courage, the kind of courage your Marine dad would recognize and honor. We, too, all of my Dad's three children, four of his five grandchildren, and my mom, gathered on a beach in Narragansett , Rhode Island to spread his ashes, in 2010. From how you've described him and his wonderful tradition of face planting into his birthday cake, my dad Norman would have loved your dad. He was a jokester, too. Loved to tease us kids and grandkids. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to think of my own father through your own beautiful reflection of your own dad. Wishing you many joyful moments this July as you honor his memory.
Oh what a gift it is to have people in our lives who love to joke, tease and show us how to live freely - without the insistence of seriousness. It sounds like Norman and John would have been pals. Perhaps they are now 😉😉
Thank you, Amy. 🙏🏼For seeing the love and light in my dad and for this tender comment. He most certainly would recognize the courage it takes to walk away from alcohol and live with authenticity. When he would call me to catch up on things, almost always he’d ask “Are you happy baby?” That’s all he wanted for his family. Happiness. Whatever that looks like for each of us. 💕
He had so much life in him and his life is still shining bright in all of us he left behind. Funny, sometimes I feel like I have a closer relationship to him now. As weird as that might sound.
I loved your dad. He was such a great guy. And man, did he love his family. I saw it every time I saw him. He is so very proud of you, Allie Baby. Happy Heavenly birthday John. Semper fi!❤️🇺🇸
Thanks, Sha ❤️. And my dad loved you! I know he’s up there celebrating with Artie. He’s probably convincing Artie to put his face in a cake. 🎂
I miss them both so much.
Beautiful, Allison. I’m crying.
Thanks Julie ❤️
I shed some tears writing it. But no crying in the cake. He wouldn’t want that 🙃
This is so beautiful, Allison. What a wonderful tribute to your beloved dad. And what a gift he gave you in asking that soul-enhancing question. 💕
I often think of my Dad's last ever words to me, especially in difficult moments. "It's OK, woman. It's OK." We carry our loved ones with us in the words they give us. 💕
Yes, Michelle. SUCH a gift to carry on their words. I often think about how my dad is still parenting me, even though he’s not “here” to do it. And it’s through the words he left us with and lessons I reflect on now as I age. And as my kids age.
Thanks for sharing a bit of your dad with me here, Michelle. It sounds like he was a wise man - it all IS ok after all, right? ❤️
Allison, my heart is full, tears in my eyes, especially after hearing that voicemail. Oh, what a love he was, and what a love the two of you had! This is such a beautiful love letter, I can imagine him beaming at you, at the gorgeous authentic way you are showing up in the world as your whole self. It takes courage, the kind of courage your Marine dad would recognize and honor. We, too, all of my Dad's three children, four of his five grandchildren, and my mom, gathered on a beach in Narragansett , Rhode Island to spread his ashes, in 2010. From how you've described him and his wonderful tradition of face planting into his birthday cake, my dad Norman would have loved your dad. He was a jokester, too. Loved to tease us kids and grandkids. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to think of my own father through your own beautiful reflection of your own dad. Wishing you many joyful moments this July as you honor his memory.
Oh what a gift it is to have people in our lives who love to joke, tease and show us how to live freely - without the insistence of seriousness. It sounds like Norman and John would have been pals. Perhaps they are now 😉😉
Thank you, Amy. 🙏🏼For seeing the love and light in my dad and for this tender comment. He most certainly would recognize the courage it takes to walk away from alcohol and live with authenticity. When he would call me to catch up on things, almost always he’d ask “Are you happy baby?” That’s all he wanted for his family. Happiness. Whatever that looks like for each of us. 💕
Ah, This is wonderful to hear. You carry his spirit beautifully.
Be still my heart, Allison. Such a beautiful celebration of your dad - whose brightness and aliveness shines through in your words. ❤️
Thanks Dana 💕
He had so much life in him and his life is still shining bright in all of us he left behind. Funny, sometimes I feel like I have a closer relationship to him now. As weird as that might sound.
Beautiful ❤️
Thank you, Paolo!