With Love and Respect For Daniel Raymond Keene
Born march 9th, 1943-Passed Away July 30th, 2007
Not long ago I wrote a letter to my Father, somehow knowing it would never be mailed.
I wanted to let him know how grateful I was for all he had done, when I was a child.
I wanted to let him know how much it meant to have had a man in my life that loved me.
I wanted to explain to him in no uncertain terms how he had impacted my life.
My Dad was a bull of a man standing just five foot nine, sporting a massive set of arms and shoulders.
Shoulders none of us could ever quite get our arms all the way around.
His soft beard that tickled my face has turned white over time yet I loved how it felt against my cheek.
He was strong as a bull yet quiet and gentle.
I remember him lifting my brother and sister off the ground as they held onto his bicep.
He was really something.
Being human, he like the rest of us had his down falls and made his share of mistakes.
Yet in an odd way, he taught me about forgiveness, in his need to be forgiven.
None of us kids would be who we are today if not for him touching our lives.
I needed, to say thank you.
As I grew up I realized, that he was a mere mortal after all, yet still my hero!
After all he had single handedly saved my family and I wanted him to know that I remembered.
I needed to thank him for taking on a ready made family; under the protests from people that loved him.
Thank you for listening to your heart and not their words.
It’s funny to think back realizing that you were my first concept of a biker.
You looked so cool in your t-shirt with your Lucky Strikes rolled up in one sleeve.
I loved the smell of that old worn out leather jacket that I held onto countless times.
I loved any excuse to ride her with you, even if it was just to the market to pick something up for Mom.
To me it never mattered where we went, I just loved being with you on that shinning BSA.
Looking back is always fun because as a family we shared a lot of really good times.
As kids it never occurred to any of us that we weren’t rich, because we had everything and each other; with the exception of air conditioning.
Looking back I see so clearly, how happy we all were, it was truly a great way to grow up.
You incited tickle fights, water fights and shaving cream fights, which always took place in the house!
All of us can remember flying threw the air into the pool time and again during endless games of Marco Polo.
I catch myself laughing as I remember all the “frogs” you stepped on!
I still vividly remember that first camping trip you took us on with the wayward tent pole that didn’t want to stand.
I remember every other trip that followed just as clearly, each echoing with our laughter and tears; especially Gary’s with that gum stuck on his nose!
In the letter I wrote him, it was important that he know I was always proud of him.
Proud of the sacrifices he made for my Mom and us kids so selflessly.
I wanted him to know that I truly understood the high price he’d paid for all the long hours and lack of sleep.
I realized once I became an adult, that there are few men who would work that hard for a family not biologically their own.
I hoped that when he read the letter, it would touch his heart to know he was loved so unconditionally.
He had been so important and influential, in the lives of all three of his kids.
It was important that he understand, that he was admired and respected by each of us in our own way.
How could any of us not be proud to be known as his children?
He had after all taught us how to laugh again, trust again, and feel safe again.
If he had never accomplished anything else in his life, he accomplished making us a family.
In that letter to my Father, I told him that he had truly made a difference.
Telling him, that he had left an indelible mark forever on the hearts of his family.
Especially his three children.
Most importantly I wanted him to know that all that love and laughter he spilled over time; would come to engulf five tiny hearts that are linked forever to his.
Sadly I wrote this letter to my Father back on 02/19/07, somehow knowing it would never be sent.
Today July 30th, 2007 after losing him I regret it so very much.
02/19/07
Revised 08/31/07
