My Memorial Day Weekend in Plainfield IL | Living In Plainfield
May 28th, 2007 by Julie
It was 5 years ago this weekend, today… this night.
My dad was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in September of 1999. It was only a month before my wedding, and the news was more than any of us could bare. The doctor that had initially treated him at Elmhurst Hospital, before we all moved to Plainfield, told him that he had less than 3 months to live. Luckily for all of us, that doctor was very wrong in her estimations. We had my dad around quite a bit longer to love and laugh with.
My dad was always a joker. He had a goofy sense of humor, and a fuse as short as a firecracker. He was a smoker, a drinker, and a motorcycle rider. ( I think I was the only kid in class who got picked up from school on a motorcycle). He worked his entire life on the railroad, and I swear he counted box-cars just to fall asleep.
He had this thing he used to do at red lights. Sometimes when the mood would strike him just right, he’d get out of the car and roll his hands as if he were doing the cha-cha. Mind you, he was always the one in the driver’s seat when he decided he wanted to dance, and we of course, wanted to crawl under the dashboard from embarrassment.
Dogs and kids alike came running when they saw my dad coming. He always had dog treats in one pocket and candy in the other! The kids in the neighborhood all knew where to go when they heard the sound of the ice-cream man too.
Oh, I could go on and on about all of my great memories of my dad, but I’m saving those for myself… later on tonight.
It was 5 years ago today, that I said good-bye to my dad for the last time. He was just 63 years old.
He may not have lived long, but he lived hard, and made a lot of people smile in the process! I hope I can leave half the mark on the world that my dad did, because I know a lot of people have that guy in their hearts.
On this Memorial Day, just as in the 5 that have passed since the day my dad died, we have carried on a tradition that started as a way to remember my dad, and all of our family members that have passed away.
Our Memorial Day balloon launch is the day we send a message to our loved ones up in Heaven. We release the balloons with the names of our loved ones on them and send them all up at once, and I think it’s such a great way to remember those that we have loved and lost.
Memorial Day in our family has a special meaning, and we are always grateful to be able to share it with our family and friends.
Julie Ferenzi | Realtor
Plainfield IL Homes
630-673-6233
Julie, I’m very sorry about the loss of your Dad. He sounds like he was a very warm, loving man. I can see why you’re so much fun, you grew up with a great Dad!
I love your tradition with the balloons. Watching them fly off must be bittersweet and beautiful, all at once.
Julie - I’m so sorry to hear about your dad and thank you for sharing this article with us. My dad was diagnosed with colon cancer last year and he is now in remission (Thank GOD) - I cherish every second I have with him because I know I have been granted more time, time that I cannot take for granted. This was a beautiful tribute.
Julie… what an amazing tradition and what a great story about your father. I’ve read it three times now. He’d be proud. I assure you.