Daddy

SUNDAY MEMORIES

 Judy Wills

My Daddy was quite a guy.  As I’ve said before, he was born in 1892, and was 20 years older than my Mother.  But he was a good Daddy, and really was a “Daddy” rather than a stiff “Father.”  I was, occasionally, exasperated with him in my teenage years – I guess as all teenagers are with their parents – but loved him dearly.  He died when I was 25 and pregnant with my first child.  I always regretted that neither of our children got to know their grandpa, and I miss him still.

But he could be really funny.  I remember that, when Mother was working in accounting at Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque, she would quite often invite some of the single, lonely, homesick airmen to church with us on Sundays, then to our house for Sunday dinner.  Around the table, one of Daddy’s favorite things to tell these guys was that he was from a large family.  He would state that there were eight boys, and each of them had five sisters.  Then he would pose the question: “How many of us children were there in the family?”  You could almost see the steam coming out of their ears as the wheels turned as they computed the numbers.  While most got the joke within a reasonable time, I remember one young man staring at Daddy, eyes bulging out, and said “58?!!”  Then Daddy would howl with delight and inform them that all eight boys had the SAME five sisters!  There were only 13 children in the family.

Since Daddy was older when he and Mom married (45), they started their family rather quickly.  When my brother was born, Daddy was so proud that he sent off a telegram to his parents.  Mom told me that his dad sent back a nice, long, newsy letter about everything going on in Louisiana.  Then he ended the letter with:  “Son, we are happy to hear about the birth of your son.  But you must realize – it just RAINS grandchildren down here.”  Mom said Daddy’s balloon just deflated at that!

T.J. & Mattie Lites with 10 of their children.
Daddy is back row, 4th from left

Being the farm boy that he was, he loved to finish the meal with a slice or two of a tomato, rather than dessert.  He loved the desserts, as well, but….

He had some “sayings” that we always enjoyed.  Well, enjoyed MOST of the time.

•    The traffic will eventually all run by (sometime eventually took longer than others – and Fred always said, “well, Daddy was right again”
•    This roast is just no good – it just falls off the bone!
•      As you know, breakfast (lunch/dinner) is one of my three main meals of the day          Granny, Aunt Jessie, Daddy – in his p.j.’s – Mom, Dora Bowers, DiVoran Lites – 1961 

Once, when Fred and I were visiting Albuquerque, Fred had gone out driving with Daddy.  That evening, Fred related this story of the day, but could hardly get it out for all his giggling.  They were driving along – Fred driving – and Daddy cleared his throat, turned his head, and spit.  Unfortunately, he had forgotten that the window was still closed!  Fred said Daddy cleaned off the window then turned his head back to Fred and sheepishly said, “that’s only the second time in my life I’ve done that.”  Fred said he had to “bite his tongue” to keep from laughing out loud!

Bill Lites in Albuquerque, NM

It’s such fun to remember my Daddy.  But the best part is knowing that some day I will be reunited with him and won’t ever have to leave him again.

Bill Lites in the stocks – Williamsburg, VA

Bill Lites with daughter, Judy Wills, and granddaughter, Charlene Lites

Tags: Christian bloggers, Christianity, Family, Memories, Military Life