Waltzing Miss Ashley

Ashley was Dad's great-niece and although she wasn't technically Dad's granddaughter, in many ways she was his first grandchild. Ashley was born several years before the grandchildren came along and for quite some time she was the only little one in the family. Everyone loves Ash-monkey, but she and Dad had a special bond. Dad always doted on her and she could always make him laugh. Dad loved her like a grandchild and always made her feel special. Ashley took it so hard when we lost him, but she knows that whenever she wants to speak to him, all she has to do is go outside ant tell the moon and he will be able to hear her.

Dad wrote a special song for Ashley to the tune of Waltzing Matilda. I know she will always cherish the song and the memories it holds.

Waltzing Matilda Instrumental MP3 Download

(Pause music below before you push play.)


Waltzing Miss Ashley, Waltzing Miss Ashley,
You'll come a waltzing Miss Ashley with Unk.
We'll sing and we will dance and we will stay up till the sun comes up,
You'll come a walking Miss Ashley with Unk.

Growing Up

Dad would be so proud of this little grad. We miss him for every celebration, on every holiday and on every boring old day. Every time I see Seth's sweet little dimples, I think of Dad.

The Day the Music Died

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American Pie was one of Dad's favorite songs. I have know the song my whole life and have many memories of Dad singing it over the years. I recall an old station wagon with wood paneling and fully equipped with an 8 track player. Dad would put the cartridge in and away we'd go, jammin' to the oldies. Now, I have taught Seth American Pie and he loves to play it on the ipod. Seth often asks me to sing to him at bedtime and he will usually say, "You can sing anything you want, but don't forget American Pie." I'm so glad I can share so much of his Papa with him and I hope somehow he can hold a few memories of him as he grows up. I can still hear Dad singing that tune and I think the day we lost him will always feel like the day the music died.

Doctor Dad

So, tomorrow morning, at 9:00 a.m. I report to CMC University Hospital to have my gallbladder removed. I'm going into it very nonchalantly, thinking that recovery will be quick and painless. (Wishful thinking on my part maybe?)

I can't help but think of all the times Dad took care of me when I was sick. Countless times as a child and as an adult. Right after Sophia was born when I ended up in ICU he was there with me every day. I'll never forget the look of fear in his eyes when we were in the ER and they said they were sending me to ICU. As a parent, I know that would have to be terrifying. Since I was on a liquid diet, he would make me homemade broth and bring it to me in a thermos...a different kind every day! I sometimes think about how he probably made that broth at 2 a.m. the night before (because that's when he'd do his best cooking!) But he was always there for me when I needed him and would often leave me medical advice on my voicemail if he knew I wasn't feeling well. I can still hear him saying "Take two tylenol, put your feet up, and call me in the morning." I know he'll be there for me tomorrow, just in a different form. It's nice to know I have an angel looking out for me.

No Fun

"I'm just not having any fun without Papa." Seth Roper, Age 4

I know what you mean buddy.

The Donkey and the Elephants

Hearing about the death of Osama Bin Laden makes me think about my dad. Actually, just about everything makes me think about my dad, but tonight I'm wondering what he would have said about all of the hoopla. We couldn't have been more politically opposite but I think we would have both agreed that this was a necessary means to an end. I often pondered how I ended up with such different views from the rest of my family. I finally figured it out. I'm much smarter than they are. (Settle down people. I'm kidding.) It was a rare occasion that I discussed politics with Dad. Nothing good could come of it. I know he was perplexed as to how he ended up with such a liberal child, but I believe that on some level he was proud to have raised an independent thinking daughter with the ability to draw her own conclusions on how the world should work.