Happy Birthday Daddy

Today is my Dad’s Birthday. He would have been 62 today. As I mentioned in yesterday’s TTIC post, it’s a wonderful coincidence that the theme was motorcycles, since my Dad was SO into bikes.

I got this sweatshirt for him on what was his last Christmas with us. My Dad was really tough to shop for, but that year, I found so many wonderful things for him…

My Dad had a ton of biker buddies. And they all LOVED my Dad. I mean LOVED. If you ever wanted to see a bunch of grown tough guys cry, talk to these dudes about my Dad. They tear up like they were cutting a bunch of onions. My Dad was so much to them… I’d like to think that he still IS so much to them.

About a year and a half after his passing, many of his buddies decided to do a Tribute Run for him. They gathered together and rode around our block three times in memory of him.

Forgive the pictures, they are all pictures of pictures. Scanners are not usually my friends! There are over a dozen bikes out in front of our house. Some of the guys couldn’t make it out that day. But those that were there, sure had a fantastic time setting off car alarms as they road past on their machines!

Here is my Mom, my sisters and I in front of the bikes. We were so happy to see them all. So thrilled that they wanted to do this for my Dad. So sad that he wasn’t there…

But the coolest thing? They had special patches made up in memory of him. Here’s what it looks like.

But I have to say, when you flip it over… and the color is gone, it REALLY looks like him!

I thought that this was one of the nicest things they could have done for him. Now, they all wear him on their vests and jackets. So he rides with them wherever they go. Of course, Gene was there for this event so he has a patch too. And I keep a patch not only on my riding jacket, but in my pocket book too.

This day was beautiful. It was an amazing tribute to him. I decided to not make a project today… and just let this post be about my Dad. Here’s to you Daddy… until we ride together again! I love you.

Comments

Rebecca {bellacarta} said…

Life can be bittersweet, isn't it? Thanks for sharing the memory of your dad!

September 16, 2009 at 4:30 PM

Unknown said…

That is just one of the sweetest posts I have ever read Ali... I know the pain of loosing a parent and honey he would be soooo very proud of you!!! Xx

September 16, 2009 at 5:40 PM

ellepaulette said…

Hugs to you!! Thank you for sharing your memories of your sweet dad with us.

September 16, 2009 at 11:21 PM

magickat said…

love you.

and my godfather - your amazing most awesome dad.

September 20, 2009 at 9:52 PM

PaperTree Designs said…

what a beautiful post. Sending you a hug sweetheart. xxx

September 25, 2009 at 7:16 AM

February Smeared & Smudged Sketch Challenge

The new Smeared & Smudged challenges are up and ready for you to participate in! I got instantly inspired by Kelli’s card sketch for the month, as I have been working with different ideas for my next “Tarot Card.” Haha! That’s actually pretty funny! If you’ve been checking in over the past couple of weeks, you may have seen my Misty Benson Tarot Set 1 ( Smeared Ink ) cards. I’ve used The World and The Fool so far. Today, I bring you Death. Don’t worry…it’s actually a joyful image…one that I intend to use a lot! First, here’s the sketch. I flipped it and changed the ribbon and embellishment a bit. Can I just start off by saying that it is quite nerve wracking to slice your image??? I have done it a few times in the past, but I always get butterflies when I attempt it again. I colored the image and the card itself using nothing but Distress Inks and my Cut-n-Dry Nibs. My skull button at the top has been colored with Alcohol Inks. The colors look a little off to m

Christmas in July with Imagine Crafts & Stencil Girl!

Hello! Have you heard? The Imagine AIRs have been hopping with Stencil Girl! If you have been here before, you know I loooove me some stencils, so this collaboration was very exciting for me! The teams are hopping for 3 consecutive Saturdays, and this is week 2. I have the entire list of hop links at the bottom of the post. Be sure you don't miss anyone! I decided to to create an extra large gift tag with my new stencils. Using red cardstock, I taped down the Journal Texture #8 Stencil and inked it up with Golden Glitz Delicata ink . I promise you, this is the BEST gold ink you will ever use! The Journal stamp only has 2 diamonds on it (it's a 4x4" stencil), so after I inked up the first pair, I moved over the stencil, lined it up, and inked again. Next I wanted to do something textural with the Urban Insiders Star . So I took some evergreen cardstock, taped down the star, and slathered on some yummy Iridescent Green Creative Medium . After the medium dried, I ga

House Mouse Hop: Nurse Mouse

Hello! I am excited to bring you my first of two posts today. This post is for the House Mouse & Friends Blog Hop. My second will be for Aurora Wings. You can click HERE to see that post. But don't leave yet! Read to the bottom of my post to find out how you can have a shot at winningMy House Mouse project features the adorable Nurse Mouse stamp. My full instructions and supply list is below. Supplies: Stampendous : HMP62 : Nurse Mouse DWLX7026 : Chevron Stencil STF082: VersaFine Onyx Black Ink Others : My Colors Cardstock : Ocean Side Zig Clean Color Markers: 010, 020, 024, 028, 029, 050, 052, 064, 065, 069, 071, 072, 090, 091, 092, 094, 095, 096, 098, 222, 260, 302, 900, 901, 902 Imagine: Silver irRESISTable Pico Embellisher, StazOn White Opaque, Sponge Dauber Canson Mixed Media Cardstock Ranger: Water Brush Beacon Adhesives : Zip Dry Glue Red Cardstock: unknown Directions: 1. Stamp the image with VersaFine on to Mixed Media paper. This paper holds wa

21st Century Pillow Book

Search This Blog