Okay, so I TRIED... I really did, even fell asleep writing this at 5am Friday morning... bad habit lately. So, I tried to write only about my dad and now I think there was a reason I couldn't finish besides me just being exhausted. My parents created (naturally) me together... I would not be here if they hadn't gotten TOGETHER. So, together I will thank and HONOR them and yet seperately explain how and why I LOVE and LIKE both my parents.
My dad (Clarence Poole, Sr.)... jack of all trades, MASTER MECHANIC! I love my daddy... growing up I'd spend endless hours under the hood of cars with him. He'd work all day and then have side jobs at home where I was his apprentice sometimes. Working closely together, the mastermind and his help... that's RIGHT, his help. I would hold the flashlight in place in the middle of the night as he struggled to see what he needed to or hand wrenches, screwdrivers and other tools to him in the day. Thinking back, perhaps this is where I became this independent woman who feels like she can DO whatever anybody else can... though I still don't like changing flat tires (don't tell daddy) and remain in the place of a little woman who needs a big stong man when it comes to that... LOL. Give me a nail and hammer though and I'm in my element! One of the first tools I bought for myself was an electric drill with all the bits. After helping build porches and redoing floors with daddy, I feel like a carpenter myself sometimes. I have personally put together entertainment centers, bookshelves, armoires, consoles, exercise equipment, etc... even helped to build a Wal-Mart back home. I still feel pride when I walk in that hardware dept (where I worked) and the registers that I secured at the front checkout; Walmart in BV.
Dad and I like the same types of movies and he even gets me out of my comfort zone sometimes by throwing in a moving like 'Twlight' on one of my Sunday visits. My all time favorites still today were introduced by him... Fifth Element and another Sci-fi that I can't quite say the name of right now, though I could tell you the name of the actors and that the title begins with an "E" (hate when I can't think of something), good thing that's not what's important here, my dad is. So, let's get to the good stuff like crawfish boils on those porches I mentioned earlier and many barbecues and cookouts where it seemed the whole street would wind up in our yard eating, music blasting, dancing and having a good time. Now that I think about it, perhaps we invented BLOCKPARTIES or at least 'street'parties. :-). We always played ball in the vacant lot next door, anybody from Eleventh St. remember that??? Kickball, baseball behind the Church of Christ on RR Ave., basketball and football were normal occurences in my childhood and I developed a wicked arm when it comes to football, LOVED IT!!!!
I love and like my DAD because he loves and likes me, because he took time in his life to invest in his children, raised each of us and provided for us always. I love/like him because he still does. He cares and he cheers at every success, He believes in us and when we achieve greatness; because each of us have in our own right, he is PROUD and it shows. Quiet and laid back; yet, a workaholic too... he is just that to me, an inspiration to continuously improve and to rest and enjoy life as well. I wish to make him proud and surpass anything he may have thought possible of me.
I never forget the day he cried while listening to me recite a poem I'd written and his fiance telling me I reminded her of Maya Angelou... WOW!!! Equally memorable is the day he teared up and explained to me that though he can't receive the word of God from everybody, he can sit for hours and HEAR me speak of the Lord... his reason, because I am so passionate about it and he FEELS it in his spirit/heart when I speak of my Heavenly Father and His promises. He gets it, really gets it from me... so much so that he allowed me to lead him to Christ one day. I love my dad and I like his spirit. He is a good man and my memories are mostly good when I think back to my childhood. My parents are incredible individuals who achieved great success despite great sacrifice and trials but they were so loving that they even raised other peoples kids (cousins and grandchildren at different times).
Clarence Poole, Sr., I will forever honor him as: my father, my daddy, the man I affectionately referred to as 'poppi or pops' in our many telephone conversations or one on one counseling sessions and can you guess who was giving the advice... you'd be right if you guessed it was HIM. He always has a different view point and doesn't force his way but lovingly listens, interjecting only when needed, and then gives it to you straight!!! Doesn't really matter if the advice feels good or not, it just matters that it's for your good and that it comes from a place that has LOVE, life experiences and sage advice that will lead you to the truth where decisions are made connected to it.
I LOVE and LIKE YOU Clarence Poole, Sr. ~ Always and Forever!!! YOU are my daddy and counselor, my friend and Father!!!!
This is dedicated to the one I love and like... this day it's my parents and this one is for Clarence!
No comments:
Post a Comment