Celebrating my Dragon Gumball #8

May the Stars be the Candles on your Cake

I have many fond memories springing up this week about my father because his birthday is coming up on the 31st. If planet side, he would be turning 98.

He preferred to go by Nick instead of Nicholas. Some knew him as Captain Hook due the 36’ Manchurian Trader in our side yard. Dad was born with one hand, that never slowed him down.

“Can You Stay 10 Minutes Longer” is my VAMP presentation, the theme was “Ride or Die”. Of course I needed to submit our story, I was very honored it was chosen by a blind online submission for www.sosayweallonline.com

Life did not flash before his very eyes, it happened over a 2 week time span. I got to witness some very magical moments. During that time our Mermaid appeared to him 3 days before his departure, that and other magical times are in my video.

2014 is the last time we celebrated in person. What I consider his re-birthday (departure date) is 7/11, that is also known as “Free Slurpee Day”, which I know he didn’t care about missing out on. I tend to find humor or irony in any given circumstance. It helps me through tough times, don’t know if Seven Elven chain still gives out free drinks on that day.

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This is his ring turned into a bracelet for me resting on his piano. He started taking lessons in his late 70’s. This image inspired my haiku.

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His boat that still sits in our side yard. It inspired my poem that was accepted into the 2019 San Diego Poetry annual. It was the world’s most expensive playhouse for my kids when they were younger.

Salida 

Manchurian Trader anchored in the Orange Sea; 

you no longer need to sail to distant oceans because navigating in the stars is much more grand. 

Cosmic currents will soon carry you away. Passing comets will attach themselves like barnacles 

to your hull so I will be able to view your progress in the night sky. 

Keep your sails unfurled, travel far, travel wide, find safe harbor for times of rest. 

Now out of sight, I will imagine the adventures that await you 

& look forward to the nights you sail back to me.

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Along with a traditional celebration of life my Dad wanted a wake, a huge party to cut loose. I told him I had just the band to hire - a 9 piece pirate band, The Dread Crew of Oddwood. Traditional sea shanties with a twist, he loved that idea and said go for it with a twinkle in his eye. Haha, the evening of his wake I was very glad when “Land Ho” was played my Mom was inside the house. It is the funniest, rudest, silliest song ever sang on the high seas.

Mission accomplished, we had a grand night of foot stomping night of music, dancing and food. People still talk about grand evening that honored my father.

www.thedreadcrewofoddwood.com/

May the stars be the candles on your cake, please give Mom & our Mermaid a hug from me.

Thank you for sharing your adventurous side with me, and telling me about the thin threads of connection. No matter time nor distance, from time to time you will feel a tug to let you know someone is thinking about you. These threads never break

Once a Daddy’s girl, always a Daddy’s girl. Love you! - Majorie

. . . just a few more pics

The night Dad got his tattoo by Gemma Pariente, www.instagram.com/gemmapariente. She created all our of inks, I finally got mine last summer.

The Dragon and our Mermaid