Dad it's so hard to say goodbye.
We had your graveside funeral today, and I think it's just what you ordered. It was "short & sweet" and intimate, but I would've given a lot to not have done it at all. It's amazing how much I'd give to have one more day with you. I'm profoundly sad, and I can hear you saying it now, " Penny we all have to go some time."
The problem is, I wasn't expecting that "some time" to be now.
It did rain, guess God was crying too. But we kept mom, Aunty Mary, Aunty Josie and Aunt Una dry under the canopy, I know you'd be worried about them.
I think you would've enjoyed your own wake today dad, we had quite a crowd.
Some times I would turn my head, half expecting you to walk in, and say, "oh good we're having a party, I'll go get the barbeque ready and we'll make burgers for everyone too." You liked to have barbeques. I'll miss the burned black burgers, which you called, 'well done' and everyone else called burned to a crisp.
I also met Raymond your coffee buddy from the "Old Men's Club", he's really funny. He said he was a democrat too, and that you two had finally convinced Erv to vote Democrat this election~
I'll miss "Bush bashing" with you. I was always so grateful we were on the same page when it came to politics, or I guess you could say the right page, when others were on the wrong page! Now, if we could only convince Mark and Cara to vote Democrat! ha. Maybe you can work your magic from up there, and talk to the MAN IN CHARGE in the Big real White House.
Dad, I'm missing you. I hope we did right by you with today's service & wake.
Love, Penny
Dear Hoddy,
I remember the day I asked you and Manny, if I could marry Penny. We were all eating dinner at your house, and you looked up from your plate with a look of shock on your face, and as you tried to grasp what I had just asked, you literally dropped your fork to the plate.
It was a funny moment, one that I will never forget. After you regained your composure, and coughed a bit, you gave us your blessing. That was one of the happiest days of my life.
We seemed to give you a lot of little heart palpitations, because when we told you were having a baby, we were walking outside, and you kind of tripped, and you asked me to repeat what I had just announced. It took about ten minutes for it to really register, and you kept asking, "are you sure?" I think you were very happy about the news, but I think you may have also thought you were "too young" to be a grandpa. Well all I can say, is you've been the greatest grandfather to your grandchildren all these years. I can never thank you enough for all the kindness and patience you've shown them. You will be forever missed in our lives. There will be a hole in our heart, but when we talk of you, there is nothing but joy. Thank you Hoddy for showing me how to be a better father to my own children. Harol
I remember meeting Hoddy when I first moved into my house 14 years ago. I was working in my front yard, he came up behind me and bellowed "I AM NAKAMURA!" I jumped 10 feet! We had a long talk about tending our gardens, keeping our houses nice, our families, etc. I considered him a most wonderful neighbor and friend I could turn to if I needed anything. We often talked outside and I knew he was a very intelligent man who loved his family immensely. When I decided to change careers last year, he was so encouraging and kept asking me about my accomplishments. He reminded me a lot of my own dad. I'll miss his beautiful smile and friendly waves.
I think grandpa was a great & gentle man,he gave a alot of his time too educate & also to have plain fun with us...ThanksGRANDPA.... Ilove you so much.
I had a lot of fun playing cards with you, I'm glad we were on the same team and we won Kiki in hearts!
TaYe
TAYE