My memories of my dad are less clear than they used to be, but they’re still all there. I remember the sound his heart made when I’d snuggle up next to him on the couch. I remember his crinkly-eyed smile, the one that was true and had love behind it. I remember his suited shoulder that I would crash into when he came home from work. I remember his voice soothing me to sleep, and I remember his voice admonishing me for being rude. I remember the sound of him chewing. I remember watching him pull my mom away from preparing dinner to dance with her. I remember his laugh in all its incarnations – the polite hee-hee all the way to the tears-streaming-down-the-face hysteria. I remember his “proud papa” look. I remember hearing him forage for a midnight snack. I remember how good it felt to feel surrounded in his hugs. I remember him calling me Punky Doodle All The Day, and I remember the day when I was 13 and I told him I was too old for that nickname. I remember the disappointed look on his face. I cringe at that memory.
There aren’t many things I regret – I’m more of the mind that life is life and it goes forward, not back. We make our mistakes and have our successes, and regret simply forces us back in time. But I’d give anything to take that back and hear him call me Punky Doodle again.
He died eight years ago today.
Eating the Garden 
Carrie,
What a beautiful tribute to your Dad – he would be proud of you!
Eileen
Me too my sweetheart. I remember being ticked when I was little and thrown up in the air, feeling really happy to be with him and your mom when they were grown up and I was still small, feeling so proud when he paid attention to me and then so very happy when I was older and got to see him and all of you on our visits. Playing Pididdle in the car, sardines at Mary McPhee’s and carol singing and game playing at Christmas. I have a vivid memory of your Dad and Grandpa singing the Hawaiian wedding song at Mimi & Skip’s 50th anniversary and a tender memory of Ave Maria at my own wedding. Oh was I ever lucky to have such a brother! I think the main thing I remember most though is how very much he loved you, Jenny and your Mom. Oceans of love…MP
Oops! Please read tickled instead of ticked!! 🙂
Aaah. Thats really sweet. I’d have given anything to have a dad like that, unfortunately my dad was very serious and depressed most of his life and we never really got on.
What a lovely tribute to your wonderful Dad, Carrie. He was so proud of you and Jenny and would be bursting his buttons to see you both today. I miss him too.
My dear sweet Carrie!! Your memories are glorious! Hang on to them, embrace them, allow them to comfort you!
I too loved your dad!!
Becky
I think you’ve inherited your Dad’s gift for writing. On oe my dearest treasures is the letter he gave me at Christmas. It was when he was between jobs, so money was an issue. That letter means more to me than any gift i ever could have received.
Fred and Joe lives in my heart and I celebrate them often.
Love, Linda
How easy it is to still feel the tears!! But the memories make me smile at the same time!! He was so proud of you girls – I know he is still watching over us all!!!
We’ll never stop missing him!!
Oh Honey, the joy you gave me today by reading the above.
What I miss the most is that shoulder. The one you could put your head into and snuggle and it was so safe and secure and giggly and full of mischief! You knew that you would be smiling all day if you were with him. Among so many “very best moments” – when all of us were in Hawaii at that movie theatre… We were laughing so hard, we could have cared less about the movie- He had us rolling down the aisle!
I agree with Linda- you have a wonderful gift of the pen- just like him. Today you have given me the same gift your Dad always gave to me. A smile, a tender moment, a heart full of love-Thank you Sweetheart!
I know he is so very proud of all three of his girls.
Remarkable women, remarkable man-
Giant Huge Hug!!!
Aunt T
Carrie,
What a great tribute to your Dad.
I agree you have a gift with the pen.
My memories are more of the emergency room. The time he gave me my bottle filled with liquid soap, the scar on my back from being pushed through the shower door, and being knocked out of bed when he ran the car into the side of the house!!!!
I also remember how supportive he was when I started High School. He showed me the ropes and let me know about the teachers. Same thing when I started college. How great was it to have an older brother as a senior when I was a freshman.
I remember helping him move into his first apartment with your mother. He took Uncle Louie’s advice and did the supervising.
Fred was always smart.
I too remember the Hawaii trips and how proud he was of you and Jenny.Lots of love,Chuck
My sweet Carrie – thank you for that wonderful tribute to your remarkable Dad. Speaking for both of us, we are so very proud of you. You brought back some precious memories and not only made me smile as the thought of them but remember how blessed we were and still are. You are loved. Mom
Ahhh Carrie. Your Dad continues to be a huge part of our lives. We see him still in you and your sister and the wit and humor that the whole Franklin clan is known for. We have so many memories of him- I remember staying with your Mom and he after they were young married. I was changing in the guest bedroom and he called in and asked me to look under the bed and tell him what was there. I looked and replied that there was nothing there and when I came out I asked why he has wanted to know. Turns out there was a break-in at a neighboring apartment and he has wanted to know if the burgler was hiding in their spare bedroom and that he wanted to know before I opened the door to let them out.
He was such a rare gift- he was always interested and loving- and 100% geniune. We will always feel blessed to have been a part of his life. He would be proud of you and Jen and all your accomplishments- and the wonderful young women you have both grown up to be. That is a wonderful legacy!
Carrie dear…Grandpa was checking computer and came across your blog …he had tears in his eyes as he came to tell me about your tribute to your Dad..We too think of April 25 as a day we will never forget..it was also Skips birthday and how ironic as he loved his “little Freddie” . He was our first born and was a joy from the time we brought him home..too many memories to write ..but Capistrano beach, meeting your Mom, going to so many plays and listening to his songs, visitilng Santa Clara U. and his devotion to his three girls and his closeness to his brothers and sisters…the wonderful memories remain.Bless you for your words…we love you and know how proud he would be of you and Jen…as are we…much love, Nonnie and Grandpa.