(I didn't have the patience to scan the pics to where you don't have to click on them to view them so if you care to see them, just click on the picture)Of the 3 "fathers" in my life, 2 have passed. I was lucky to know my great grandfather until I was in college. My grandfather died in 2000. My dad is alive & kicking.
Clarence W. Warren: left pic-man with white hair watching me eat
My great grandfather was quite the character. He was the type of person that when he spoke, people usually listened & chances are they were usually laughing. He had a degree in biology-chemistry, which I have stashed somewhere along with the framed pic of me when I was 4 yrs old that hung in his bedroom for many years. I was the sun, moon, & air he breathed when I first came into the world. He & my great grandmother were a hoot & and half to observe. Those wild rook card games with the popcorn flying everywhere on Saturday nights were priceless. I also loved following him around in his garden. He worked for the local gas company until they practically made him retire. He was one of the founders of the Wesley Heights Methodist church not far up the road from his property. (My uncle Mack lives in his old house.) When I was growing up, I was told that I was a lot like him. I sure hope I am because he was such a wonderful, fun loving character that everyone loved to be around. He died in Jan of 1988. I'll never forget the crowd at the church. I got there late from Murfressboro. I was at MTSU at the time. I stood in the hallway with a lot of people who were looking into a packed santuary. One lady recognized me as a great granddaughter & told me to go in but I just stood there, stunned! If our lives are measured by how many people show up at our funeral, my God, he lived a full & lovely life.
Connie Mack Warren: man in dark rimmed glasses holding me & Fritz
We called him "Daddy Mack". He died in Jan 2000. (incidentally most of the deaths in my family have occurred in Jan, odd?!)
He worked for the railroad in Tullahoma & out at the base before retirement. He was tall & handsome when he was younger. He was quite the "catch" according to my grandmother. ha!
He was the only child of my great grandparents. My fond memories include him & my grandma dragging us off to Opryland or 100 Oaks mall, picking me up & throwing me up in the air while I screamed bloody murder, & the endless gardening. My grandparents had killer gardens. He used to crack me up at how he'd listen to "Swap n' Shop" on the radio every day of the week during his retirement. BTW, there was always a wennie dog around, Fritz 1, Fritz 2, & J.J. I will never forget how he cried when Fritz 2 got choked on a chicken bone. It was the first time I had ever been exposed to "death". It was the first time I ever saw my grandfather cry. I believe I get my love of animals, particularly dogs from him.
Robert W. Warren: young guy holding me-dig that red bow on my head!
Well, to say that my dad was a "playah" is putting it lightly. The man cheated on my mom for years. They finally divorced when I was like 33 yrs old but he's my father it's the law that I love him. I look a lot like him. He's retired from the National Guard & he was a federal employee forever. His penchant for speed came from drag racing cars (illegally in his early 20s) & then drag boat racing in his later years (his early 40s - present). He's a part time drag boat racer & keeps a small farm on the property he grew up on. He is the youngest of three & boy, was he spoiled, I suspect. :P
I have dad's chicken scratch handwriting, feet, & OCD tendencies. He used to check our stove over & over when we were little. (I did the same thing while married. Funny how this stuff comes & goes with stress?) I'll never forget the older mustang he bought for me for my 1st car. The look on my face was enough for him to take it back & get something more conservative! ha!
I didn't inherit my dad's need for speed.
My fondest memories are of him cursing in the middle of the night every Christmas Eve trying to get 3 bikes, 3 barbie houses, 3 Big Wheels, or just 3 of EVERYTHING put together before we were allowed to get up & pretend Santa just delivered them. Dad really should have had 3 boys instead of 3 girls, but nonetheless, we were never deprived of anything. If he didn't give us what we wanted we had two other men (mentioned above) who did. ha!
I know a lot of great fathers out there, some married, some divorced. My hat goes off to all of you who have that "balance" in life that allows you to be the father & man you want to be....
Happy Father's Day you guys!