All my life I have been told,
“You have beautiful blue eyes.”
And my response is always,
“Thank my Dad.”
I like to think that was one special
connection between my Dad and me.
But more than the God-given
blessing of blue eyes
When you looked into my Dad’s eyes
you saw his greatest gift.
You saw kindness and caring
And the wisdom of time.
You saw the twinkle of humor
And the integrity of an ethical man.
You saw his pride in his family,
his country, his home.
But more than this
You saw his greatest gift
In those beautiful blue eyes
You saw his love.
I love you, Dad.
I always did and
I always will.
Douglas M. Miller
May 2, 1919 – February 15, 2007
Desiree Miller says
I never met him but sure wish I had. I know he’d be proud of his entire family.
Cathy says
You would have loved him & he would have loved you right back. He had a great capacity for love-especially family. Thanks for writing, Des!
Kelly Marie Boyd says
I love my Papaw, so happy he is teaching Finn how to play baseball.
Cathy says
Thanks, Kelly–there’s none better than Papaw to take care of Baby Finn!
Beth Cothern says
Lovely, can’t believe so much time has gone by. Big Hugs and Kisses to you and Mom!
Cathy says
It is hard to believe it’s been 3 years.
Love you back.
Margie Miller says
What a remarkable man Doug was. Everyone knew how much he loved his family. A day does not go by that I wish he was still here with me. I love you Doug.
Margie
Cathy says
And he knew it, too!
Love you, Mumsy.
Beth Cothern says
Mom,
You were everything that he could have ever wanted and more!!
Hugs and kisses,
Beth
Kevin Miller says
Cath:
What a lovely tribute to Dad.
Three years in heaven, along with Grandma, Aunt Mitzi and others. Now that’s the life.
love you,
Kevin
Cathy says
But, they all must have been partying whenever Notre Dame plays. And here I thought that was a sign of better seasons ahead. Oh well…hope springs eternal. –
Sydney Lem Piel says
Beautiful, Cathy! I needed it. It’s been 10 years and a few days for me (11-02-25 – 02-02-2000), and the pain never quite goes away. It’s duller now, but always there. Drove up to my son’s hockey tourny in Los Angeles on Saturday, the song “Dance with My Father (again)” by Luther Vandross came on and I went from blissfully happy to overwhelmed with grief within a few seconds. You know, the wailing kind. Good thing I didn’t see your poem until today, or I would have had to pull over to the side of the road to regain my composure….! Well, from one very-much-loved daughter to another, Happy Valentine’s Day, Dad!
I’m hoping you will have a wonderful day today, and thanks for sharing. Each day gets just a teeeeensiest bit easier, my friend. I’m thinking by the 30th anniversary I should be whole again, or may have joined them up there!!!
Love,
Syd
Cathy says
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Syd! I know what you mean about that Luther Vandross song – it kills me! Another one is Eric Clapton’s, Tears in Heaven that he wrote after his little boy died.
I wrote this for my Dad’s funeral and wasn’t sure I could get through it. My younger sister, Beth, came up to the altar and held my hand through it. This is always a tough time for my Mom. But Dad at least gave his last little gift by waiting until after Valentine’s Day to pass on.
I’m winging a virtual hug to you, Syd. Thanks again for taking the time to share and send your caring thoughts.
Love,
Cathy
Cindy Simmons says
Cathy, You are amazing I loved what you wrote…I loved my Uncle Doug especially when he would tell the five crazy boys “I will romp on your ding ding if you are not good to my Cindy” I love you, Cindy
Cathy says
My favorite is when he said that to Creighton at his wedding as Creighton gave my Dad the host–too funny!
Love you, Girl!