Jennifer Doering: Me and my dad

Published 12:00 am Friday, September 7, 2012

Recently Don and I flew to Wisconsin to visit friends and relatives, as well as attend the wedding of our nephew, Cole Doering to Stacey. We had a wonderful time during that entire week.
When I first arrived in Brookfield, Wisconsin, I wanted to see my parent’s graves, as well as my grandparents. To my dismay, there were absolutely no flowers on any of the graves. When we arrived at my sister Karen’s home in Delafield, Wisconsin, I asked her to please go with me to put flowers on all of the graves. The next day off to the Dollar Tree we went and purchased enough silk flowers for all four graves.
My Dad was a kind of “shadow” in my life. He worked two jobs to be able to support a family of seven. Therefore, I was not able to see my Dad very often, but when I did, I felt so special!
I still miss my Dad, so much. He died June 23, 1999 because he refused to lose both of his legs to terrible circulation. It seems kind of ironic to me, that my Dad lost his life so he would not have to live without his legs and I lost my left leg to a BTK amputation over four years ago. I can understand his grief, but I guess I cannot understand his not wanting to live.
When I think of my Dad, I remember two very special occasions. Once, when I was about 6, Dad took all of us to AO Smith Corporation.
My dad would be the person to fix a machine when it broke down and he used to tell us if he had no machine to fix, he would sleep on a bench somewhere in the factory. On that day when he took us to see where he worked, I asked him, “Daddy, where is the bench where you sleep?” It would not have been too bad a question; however, Daddy’s boss was right behind us.
I can still remember how red my Dad turned when he heard my question!
On another occasion, my family was visiting the Milwaukee Aquarium and after seeing all of the beautiful fish, I asked him, “Daddy, where are the smoked fish?” Dad laughed so hard when he heard that question! We used to drive up to Sheboygan, WI and Daddy would purchase smoked fish for us to eat at home. Hey, I was only six years old, and I sure did not know any better!
Not a day goes by that I don’t miss my Dad, and I am so grateful that he finally has flowers on his grave, as well as my Mom and grandparents. I know that as long as I live, the stories of me and my dad will never be forgotten.Jennifer Doering lives in Salisbury.