It sounds to me as if your Dad has never left your home. Hang on tight to those fabulous memories and never let go.
Right you are, B4Ranch, right you are.
I have found it to be an extraordinarily comforting thing, to be able to think of him now without feeling pain or loss. Granted, it is 10 years now, but it is reassuring nonetheless, that one can reach that stage.
My brothers and I can sure have a great laugh about him sometimes now...the one that keeps popping into my mind is the time I stopped by unexpectedly to visit, and as I walked up to the front door, I saw him sitting there on the steps. He had no shirt on (he was pretty thin), his beat up blue jeans and penny loafers.
He had a cigarette between two fingers, and as he looked at me, his eyes had an odd, glassy look to them, and even his short crewcut gray hair looked disheveled.
When I asked what was up, he shook his head from side to side, didn’t say anything and took a puff of his smoke.
After a few seconds, he said he had accidentally cut through a live wire with a pair of dykes...then he shook his head and took another drag.
I don’t know why, but I found it hilarious...I guess you had to know him, but maybe I am still relieved he didn’t electrocute himself!