Mr. John R. Waters

Dad,

I just wanted to write to tell you some of the things that I love about you and will always remember and hope that I can pass along to my kids:

I love that when I was half asleep on the couch, you would always throw a blanket on me, and I never had to look because I knew it was you taking care of me.

I love that you are so passionate about animals and how much you love your dogs. I already know I inherited this.

I love how you know so much about nature and the birds and can name just about any plant and tell me what bird it is that is singing. Very cool and I need some work in this department still.

While you are not much on church you are a very spiritual person. I think of you as an Indian. You love what God gave to us on this planet and you nurture it and enjoy it, not too many people do this anymore.

I love that on almost any summer day I could look out the window and see you riding around on your riding mower. My kids always enjoyed those rides with you.

I love that you love your boat even though it is kind of parked for now. I have the cutest picture of you letting Matthew steer the boat when he was just little.

I love that you taught me how to fish and that when we went to North Carolina I would fish with you at night. I still love to fish, but think things have reversed for me, Andrew is teaching me. I swear he reminds me of you so often.

I love that you went hunting all the time and never brought home a deer. Still not sure if you ever got one, but as far as Mom and the girls go, bambie is still out there.

You are a big strong man yet you are a gentle giant.

I love that you are always on my side right or wrong. When someone jumped on top of me in school and I got suspended and you marched into the principals office and told him that I bet he would push you off if you punched him right now. Highlight of my teenage years!

Funny story when John asked you if he could take my hand in marriage you replied, “Think you are asking the wrong person. She is the one you will have to ask.” He still tells that story.

You worked so hard seven days a week and I never heard you complain. You worked almost all weekends to provide for our big family. I really don’t know how you worked all those years. I really don’t know how we did not go without anything.

I always know when I come home I can get a great big hug from you. It is one of those special hugs no one else can give. I know you inherited this from your Dad. Grandpa Waters was also amazing at this. This is just a gift some people have and some don’t.

I always feel safe in this world because I have you. There is never a time when I did not feel safe and know that there was someone in my family that has always had my back (and was pretty scary to most guys)! I still use this to John—I say, I’m going to tell my Dad you said that—Haha! That never gets old.

I love how much you love Mom. When she was sick after her heart attack, you said you don’t know how you could do it without her and how much you loved her. That kind of love in a marriage and the examples you have shown are something I wish for.

I love that after all these years, you still went shopping ever year and got Mom a Christmas present that you picked out. I especially love the year when you bought her all those clothes. We still chuckle about that. Remember that motorcycle vest. Haha!

I think if I could name the best Christmas present ever I would definitely say it was the Barbie houses you made for me and Sue by hand. They were so awesome. We played with those for years and no one else on the block had one. Today people are too busy to do things like that for their kids. It’s a shame and I’m going to work to make sure I take the time out to make my kids feel special.

While you could not always be there because you were working your butt to the grind, I always knew you loved me and that you would provide for me and that you cared about me. You are the best Dad a girl could ever have.

These are just some of the things that pop into my mind today as I am writing you and thought you should know how much I love all the things about you.

While I know I only picked up one bad habit from you, and that is I have difficulty saying I love you often, I hope that I can make my kids feel as loved as you have made me. I do love you Dad!

I hate that you are so sick and going through this; it truly crushes me that I cannot be there and there is no way for me to return the favor and make you feel safe or put a blanket on you. Just know in your heart, I think about you every day and pray that God reaches down and heals you and all the pain you are suffering. You are such a strong person and I truly respect you and strive to be the kind of parent you have to me.

I love you Dad, hang in there.

Love,
Michelle

Dad,

I just wanted to write to tell you some of the things that I love about you and will always remember and hope that I can pass along to my kids:

I love that when I was half asleep on the couch, you would always throw a blanket on me, and I never had to look because I knew it was you taking care of me.

I love that you are so passionate about animals and how much you love your dogs. I already know I inherited this.

I love how you know so much about nature and the birds and can name just about any plant and tell me what bird it is that is singing. Very cool and I need some work in this department still.

While you are not much on church you are a very spiritual person. I think of you as an Indian. You love... READ MORE →

As you may know, the last six weeks have been so difficult; my father in law, John has been in and out of the hospital and in such terrible pain. I have never witnessed a battle with so much perseverance and strength for something that we all take for granted….the gift of life!
My mother has been gone for 10 years now and my father has been fighting Alzheimer’s for the last 15 years. He’s currently in the last stages and no longer knows who I am. When I tell people about my father and the latest crazy visit they inevitably ask ”How do you do it? I always reply “I don’t know”.
Now as I look back over the years, I’ve had wonderful family vacations at the beach and the lake. We’ve had the best times out on John’s boat relaxing, waterskiing, crabbing and fishing. Trout fishing is one of our family’s favorite activities. John always consoled me when I didn’t get a catch. He’d say “They just weren’t biting today”. When I caught my limit John was just as happy as me! And when I caught the big one, well … that’s Waters' legend now. John and Marlene came over to visit Dan and me often. We especially enjoyed the summer time when we sat in the back yard and relaxed overlooking the pool and listening to the waterfall we built together. John would walk around the yard with me to see the new plants and to provide consultation on the latest problems brewing in the garden. On several occasions he had shown up with a plant or two to fill in a spot to make it just right.
Over the last 21 years, Marlene and John have participated in every holiday or gathering at our home. My birthday is celebrated each year with their gift. Marlene tells me the same thing every year “It’s not much” and a couple of times she told me John picked it out this year! It’s always something nice to wear that somehow fits me perfectly. I wear it with pride and happiness. It’s such a warm feeling to receive their hugs & kisses that only a parent can provide.
As my father, has been slipping away, I’ve had someone inching closer and closer to my heart. I guess it was easy to miss; the transition was so gentle and natural. Now I know the answer; I have two set of parents that I love so dearly!
Thank you and good bye Dad. You get some rest now. I love You!

As you may know, the last six weeks have been so difficult; my father in law, John has been in and out of the hospital and in such terrible pain. I have never witnessed a battle with so much perseverance and strength for something that we all take for granted….the gift of life!
My mother has been gone for 10 years now and my father has been fighting Alzheimer’s for the last 15 years. He’s currently in the last stages and no longer knows who I am. When I tell people about my father and the latest crazy visit they inevitably ask ”How do you do it? I always reply “I don’t know”.
Now as I look back over the years, I’ve had wonderful family vacations at the beach and the lake. We’ve had the best times out on John’s boat relaxing, waterskiing, crabbing and fishing. ... READ MORE →

Last week on the day of the blue moon one of our nation’s heroes was buried. I remember his heroic day well. I was playing in the backyard when I was interrupted. Seems my parents wanted me to watch something important on TV. So I stopped what I was doing long enough to peer through the basement screen door. After watching a few minutes of that landing and first step on the moon, I promptly went back to playing in my backyard. Heck, after Star Trek and Lost in Space, what was the big deal. Anyway, what did a 7 year old know about goals, determination, role models…heroes. I didn’t need to, I lived in my nice house in Rockville with my nice toys, an older sister, a 1 year old younger sister and both my parents .
About that time, my Dad started scoping out a small town at the crossroads of Georgia Avenue and 108. Seems he wanted a better place for the little chubby girl down the street who grew up and became his beautiful wife. So after a few determined years, he found a way to reach his goal. To get the new home it meant working six days a week including every Sunday. It meant he had to finish the lower level himself, giving up nights and vacation days to get the job done. I remember helping with that work. It was just putting 2x4’s, and a little paneling up. What was the big deal? I now had three sisters. Anyway, what did a 10 year old know about providing for a family, goals, determination, role models… heroes. I didn’t need to; I had my nice house in Olney with my nice toys, my family.
And 8 years later I had a brother.
On the day of his birth, I rushed my Mom to the Hospital faster than my Dad could get home from work. When he arrived at the hospital shortly after, I saw the concern and then joy on his face. And at almost 18 years old, I knew, whatever I didn’t know before, I had learned. I had learned what it meant for someone to love their wife with all their heart. I had learned what quiet determination and deep felt joy really meant, what working hard to provide for a family was all about. I learned from the best.
Those who also knew my dad learned how to fish, about the Outer Banks of NC, about plants and animals, about enjoying nature and about how taking steps in your backyard could be as fantastic as stepping on the moon when you are walking with someone you love. These were his favorite things, and now his legacy that he has passed to his children and grandchildren.
So after the tears and sadness, remember those things and think of my Dad with a smile. He was his family’s hero.

Last week on the day of the blue moon one of our nation’s heroes was buried. I remember his heroic day well. I was playing in the backyard when I was interrupted. Seems my parents wanted me to watch something important on TV. So I stopped what I was doing long enough to peer through the basement screen door. After watching a few minutes of that landing and first step on the moon, I promptly went back to playing in my backyard. Heck, after Star Trek and Lost in Space, what was the big deal. Anyway, what did a 7 year old know about goals, determination, role models…heroes. I didn’t need to, I lived in my nice house in Rockville with my nice toys, an older sister, a 1 year old younger sister and both my parents .
About that time, my Dad... READ MORE →