1. Whistling - He was an amazing whistler until he developed bell's palsy in his face several years ago. Coincidentally, I'm a terrible whistler and didn't even learn until recently.
2. Ballroom dancing - His mom (my grandmother, Grace) made him and his siblings take dance lessons as kids. He was graceful and he could lead anyone. When I danced with him, I felt elegant and beautiful. And I loved to watch him dance with my mom.
3. Hosting a party - Whether it was St. Patrick's day, a UT tailgate or my wedding - Bubba knew how to host a throw down better than anyone.
4. Remembering travel spots - He traveled all over the world for work (and pleasure) and anytime I went somewhere he would tell me about all of the hotels, restaurants and sights he visited - including what streets they were on, what he ordered for dinner (even thirty years ago) and maybe even the name of the concierge.
5. Catching, cleaning and frying fish at the farm - Bubba could not cook a thing...except fish. My all-time favorite meal at the farm was a Bubba fish fry.
6. Telling a story - Okay, so I think everybody knows this one, but he was an amazing storyteller. A master at the art of exaggeration. And I totally got this from him.
7. Rocking a baby - When I was in 5th grade, my best friend's mom had a baby. I remember vividly that my dad would try to be the one to pick me up from sleepovers and play dates - just so that he could hold and rock the baby. I've written before about how he held Grace and I remember Lila (and Sam and Anna) falling asleep on his belly more times than I can count. And of course, he briefly held June too. He loved his babies.
I have to stop because I could go on and on (and on) with this list - I would love other perspectives on things he was good at, so please share more in the comments.
Bringing smiles to everyone's faces.
ReplyDeleteMaking people feel immediately at home, welcome, loved.
Inspiring passion for UT football.
Raising a lovely family, particularly you, my dear. He done good.
Love you,
Em
(the strange, that is)
SARAH,
ReplyDeleteI never knew your Father, but from what I see in you, he was a "SUPERHERO" of a Dad!!! He (and your Mom!) raised a wonderfully, caring, loving, artistic, kind, witty and beautiful woman who turned out to be a a wonderfully, caring, loving, artistic, kind, witty and beautiful wife and a "SUPERHERO" of a Mother! I also see in you a very down-to-earth kind of modern woman! You should be very, very proud of your wonderful "SUPERHERO" Bubba!!
Love,
Faith Marie
...Converting Nortre Dame fans into VOLS fans....
ReplyDelete...if he was talking to you, he made you feel like you were his favorite person in the world...
...seeing the best in someone rather than waste time focusing on the bad in someone...
He was fluent in Italian...oh, wait, I meant to say he was fluent in "Bubba Italian!" Ooolakehle!
ReplyDeleteHe was always singing sweet old songs to his grand kids such as "I love you a bushel and a peck."
He was really good at going with the flow of things and would often remark, "I'm just like the farmer's duck, if it doesn't rain, I'll walk."
We loved everything about Bubba from the moment we met him and Bamma for lunch in Pittsburgh.
ReplyDelete-He always made us feel loved and right at home.
-He always let me believe the fullest glass of wine was mine (Nana).
-He repeatedly told us that he loved our son like his own and couldn't have hand-picked a better husband for his daughter.
-He showed us a great time at our first Vols game. (We'll never watch another Vols game without thinking of him.)
As you said Sarah, we could go on and on. He was a great husband, father, dad, and Bubba. He was filled with love, love, and more love.
Love, Nana & Pops
He was really good at assigning creative nicknames and songs to people that would stick for decades or longer.
ReplyDeleteHe had a special touch with getting blue crabs to bite and getting everyone around fired up to eat them.
Your Bubba had a gift for making people feel at ease with themselves and the world.
Funny thing is, I'm pretty sure you do all these things too, Sarah. xoxo
He had a beautiful handwriting!
ReplyDeleteHe loved the history chanel!
In the last 6 months of his life, he sang every morning when he came downstairs! (I think the meds helped).