Gingersnaps, Cemeteries and Mosquitoes.....


I was thinking about Dad today. I didn't really get sad...it wasn't a missing him thing, it was more of a "look at his life" thing. I was thinking about all the people he met in his 80 years, the things he saw, the way technology changed, the places he got to see, the choices that he made that made his life what it was. He got to do so much in the years he lived.

I like this picture and always wondered where it was taken. Alaska? Colorado? Somewhere on the road between Anchorage and Los Angeles? For vacations every summer, (we would spend three weeks on the road, one week to get to L.A., a week visiting, and a week to get back to Anchorage). Mom and Dad loaded Chris, me and Coco, up in the car for the long trip down the Alcan Highway. Maybe the picture was taken in Canada somewhere. I will always remember those trips, (which took place between 1973 and 1976), and the things we did. We would always stop at Safeway Super Market to buy a bag of gingersnap cookies, Dad loved gingersnaps. Most lunches were eaten in the car, but now and then we would stop and eat at the local cemetery of the small town we were traveling through. There were times on the trips that the mosquitoes were so big that Chris and I were not allowed to get out of the car. Sitting there looking at them on the outside of the windows, it seemed that they seemed so huge and that Mom & Dad were keeping us safe inside that well traveled car.

Those were some great memories and I really treasure them.

A Father's Day Card.....


I'm lucky enough to know Shannon Martin who is the designer and manufacture of a very successful card line sold across the United States. I sent her a copy of Mom's favorite photograph, of Dad leaning over to kiss Danny. She loved the photo and decided it would make a great Father's Day card. Knowing that I was going back to Arkansas, Shannon said she'd send a dozen cards there, just as soon as they were printed. They arrived on August 27, the day before Dad died. He was never able to see the final finished card, (only the emailed copy I took back there with me). I saw Dad smile when I showed it to him, and I think he might have liked the idea of being on a national greeting card. So next June, when all the retailers have their Father's Day cards out...Dad will be there, and I'm sure a lot of this card will be sold. For me it's kind of comforting to think that some kid will be giving this great card to a father that means the same to them as our Dad does to us.


"Strong Back, Gentle Heart, Loving Father"

The dedication on the back.

The original photograph, which Mom took.

Dad in Plaid.....


Need I say more?

Dad as kid.....

I don't very many pictures of my Dad from his childhood, but this one of him sitting in this little chair, with his little cap is so beautiful. And it looks just like him. I wonder about this photo somEtimes, when and why was it taken? Who took it? It looks professional to me, but chances are it was just a snapshot by a family member, or family friend.

This pictures is of Dad and his brothers and sister. From right to left are: Virgil, Glen, Dwayne with baby Darleen, and Bob.  The back of this photo says "Aug 1935". Dad always told us about how they wore overalls everyday growing up and that at Christmas time, the only gifts he remembers getting were a new pair of overalls every Christmas.

Super-size the photos by clicking on them!

A couple pictures I wanted to share.....

Dad with Mark. This must have been taken early 1958. Dad  would have been about 30 years old

Dad with Danny who was going off to Vietnam, circa 1968.

In what looks like a "photo booth" picture, this is Mom, (Barbara Murray) and Danny in about 1953-ish. Look how cute they all were!

More photos later!!!!

My Dad.....

This is my Dad. He is Dwayne L. Murray, and I have decided to honor him with this blog. My father just died last month on August 28th, 2008 at 2:41 pm. He was surrounded my his wife and three of his four remaining children. He was 80 years old, and 55 days (as my brother Mark pointed out to me). He lived and died at home in Clarksville, Arkansas. I hope this blog turns into a "work in progress" just like life itself. It should evolve and change, bringing laughter, some tears, some surprises, and hopefully some comfort. My wish is for people to chime in with memories, stories, pictures, whatever it was that you remember about him. He IS a husband, a father, a Grandpa, a Great Grandfather, and friend. Our lives were blessed because he touched it. He wasn't perfect, mostly because there is no such thing. He was pretty darn close though. He evolved and grew as his life changed, as his kids grew up, as careers changed, as the times changed...so did Dad.

There really is so much to say. Check in every once in awhile. Read what's new, comment if you like. So much on my mind. I think as the days, months and maybe even years pass the pain I feel right now will get easier to accept. Please feel free to add comments or stories. If anyone would like to be added as a contributor to the blog, please email me and I will be happy to add you so you can add posts too.

Be Well, Paul