That best portion
\nof a good man\u2019s life:
\nHis little, nameless,
\nunremembered acts
\nof kindness and of love. Cicero<\/p>\n
This loving note on Father\u2019s Day
\nbrings a wish for joy and cheer
\nThat means a lot because it\u2019s sent
\nto someone very dear—
\nA man whose special kindness
\nShows in everything he does
\nAnd makes him just the finest man
\nthere is \u2013or ever was!<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
<\/p>\n
This picture was taken around 1945, while abroad (probably in Germany). The war was bad on Dad; as he had many nightmares from it. He would never talk about it much other than a few things; like he was always so cold there and was glad the war was over. He did get to travel the world: He visited the Eiffel Tower, Hitler\u2019s bunk, and sat on Napoleon\u2019s bed. These are some of the places he would mention.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n This war knife belonged to Dad and was given to him by his brother, Truitt<\/b>.<\/p>\n This is the holster of a 9mm pistol that Dad had from the war. I believe he acquired it while on tour in Germany. At some point around the late 1960\u2019s or early 1970\u2019s; Dad\u2019s house on Rome Avenue was robbed and the gun was taken (never to be found again). On the outside of the holster (along with another knife case), Dad had written many or all of the places (countries) he was sent as a reminder of his tour. Many of them are now faded or can no longer be seen. The yellow tag and number 37197691 had nothing to do with the war, but I believe it was a case number case given at the time of the robbery.<\/p>\n Dad Loved the Yard!<\/span><\/p>\n After the war, Mom and Dad built the home on St. Louis.\u00a0 (He actually sent most of his earned dollars to Mom. who saved it. When he returned, they were able to pay most of the house off with the monies they had saved). Dad loved taking care of the yard. A few years later, we collected galvanized pipes (that were thrown away in Ybor City) to make a sprinkler system for the yard.<\/p>\n It took us weeks to put it together\u2026<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDesoto Elementary School\u201d<\/p>\n Notice the heater along the wall and the cloak room in the back where supplies were kept, as well as books. In my case, my teachers would send me there when I did not follow directions!<\/p>\n After the war, Dad wanted his GED. He was encouraged to go back to school to either become a veterinarian or a teacher. He attended the University of Tampa and graduated as a teacher. He taught (his entire career) at Desoto Elementary School. He remained a fifth grade teacher the majority of his career. Many of his students stayed in touch with him for many years.<\/p>\n \u201cDad\u2019s Retirement\u201d<\/p>\n Almost a full family picture of Dad\u2019s family.<\/p>\n Missing is Uncle Earl, who was such a fun person to be with and Denmon, who passed of cancer years earlier. Left to right are; Truitt, Bee (WE), Viera, Von, and Voyde Stafford.<\/p>\n When they got together, they loved to talk!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Before you read on, here is a card verse I wrote to my parents that represented my feelings for them all my life. Although I\u2019m not sure if the verse was mine, I did make the card but no longer have it.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n For My Mom and Dad<\/b><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m really lucky to have the two of your for my mom and dad. <\/p>\n 3218 Rome Avenue, Tampa, Florida<\/p>\n![\"mom&dad](\"https:\/\/binarybytes.com\/d1\/wp-content\/uploads\/momdad-0001.jpeg\")
<\/a>Dad in Germany during WWII.<\/p>\n<\/a>\u00a0This picture of Dad and his friend was taken in Germany (1945).<\/p>\n<\/a>\u201cWWII Knife\u201d<\/p>\n<\/a>\u201cWWII Holster\u201d<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>After a successful career of teaching, we finally convinced him to retire and enjoy retirement. Mom attended along with Bobby and me. He received many presents from the faculty and staff and was surrounded by many people that he had taught with throughout his career.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\nBoth of you have taught me so much simply by the wonderful way you live.
\nThrough you, I learned how to see the best
\nin every situation
\nand how to find joy and beauty
\nin all life has to offer.
\nYou\u2019re not only wonderful parents,
\nyou\u2019re also two of my best friends.
\nI admire you both\u2026
\nand I love you very much.<\/b><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/a>In this picture, Mom is in front row (between Nonna and Uncle John), along with her entire family in front of Rome Avenue. One of the few times they got together, as we were all teens that time and just enjoyed each other\u2019s company. They could all talk; then explode with emotions as Italians would do, and in the next minute love each other with much compassion! One thing you did not want to do was try to play one against the other, or someone say something bad about any of them; as they would become very defensive and protective of each other. So many times did we see Aunt Jennie come over, and within minutes they would have a argument, then call each other over the phone getting along again. It was very comical when you realized what they were doing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n