{"id":13073,"date":"2016-06-19T08:27:57","date_gmt":"2016-06-19T12:27:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13073"},"modified":"2025-02-18T19:10:16","modified_gmt":"2025-02-19T00:10:16","slug":"a-tribute-to-pa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13073","title":{"rendered":"A Tribute to Pa (by AC1830)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 <\/strong>This is a Father’s Day tribute to our favorite Dad, and to all the dads and kids everywhere.<\/p>\n

Rating: K\u00a0\u00a0 WC = 1694<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A\/N – After I wrote this first version, I kept feeling it was a bit sad for a Father’s Day tribute, so I re-wrote the ending to make it a bit brighter. \u00a0Then I couldn’t choose between the two so I have posted both here. \u00a0Now the readers can decide which they prefer. \u00a0Enjoy and Happy Father’s Day.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

A Tribute to Pa<\/strong><\/p>\n

(Sad)<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sending tendrils of rose, lavender and indigo reaching across the vast sky and the deep lake, the sun made its farewell as it slipped behind the western Sierras. \u00a0The man leaned on a large white boulder by the water\u2019s edge, pen and paper in hand. \u00a0He closed his eyes and took a slow deep breath. \u00a0The air was crisp and filled with too many fragrances to name, yet he knew each one. \u00a0Opening his eyes he began to write down his thoughts, thoughts that had been in his heart far too long.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em>Where do I begin, Pa? \u00a0What do I say? \u00a0So many thoughts have been swirling through my mind but now I feel they\u2019ve all been said, without a word being spoken. \u00a0Whenever I arrived here, I knew I was home. \u00a0Whenever I saw you, I was welcomed. \u00a0Whenever I felt your strong arms around me and I heard your gentle voice, I was loved. <\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em>Your heart is so big, as big as this place you have built for me. I cannot fathom how you can hold so much love for me and for the others that fill your life. \u00a0My earliest memory is of you and me walking amongst these tall pines. \u00a0I was so little then and you were so tall. \u00a0You taught me about caring for this land and giving back what I take. \u00a0I have tried my best to follow that no matter where I am. <\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em>I remember when you taught me to ride; you said that part of riding was also caring for the horse. \u00a0I had to learn all of it or none at all. \u00a0I could see the pride on your face the first time I took care of my pony all by myself then saddled him for a ride. \u00a0You didn\u2019t know I was looking but I\u2019ll never forget the pleasure that showed on your face that day as we rode together across our land. <\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em>The first time I learned to shoot you took me aside and taught me the gun was a tool. \u00a0You wanted me to respect it as much as I did the other tools we used on the ranch, but you also told me that the gun could someday save my life. \u00a0It was many years later when I found that to be true. \u00a0I never would have imagined hearing your wise words in my head as I protected myself. <\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em>You patiently taught me so much as I grew. \u00a0And when you didn\u2019t know it you taught me more. \u00a0I watched all you did through the years as you helped others in need and defended our land. You maintained your values and morals no matter the cost to yourself. \u00a0Your family came first, then friends and neighbors, then even strangers in need. \u00a0You gave so much of yourself; I often feared there wouldn\u2019t be anything left for me at the end of the day. \u00a0But you were always there for me – to read to me, to tuck me in, to say my prayers, to be my mentor, my father, my Pa. <\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em>What I am really trying to say is \u201cthank you\u201d. \u00a0Thanks for taking the time to be there for me in so many ways. \u00a0Thanks for always showing me how to live and love through everything I do. \u00a0I am very proud to be your son and I hope I have made you proud to be my Pa. <\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Your loving son,<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The man read the letter and felt satisfied. \u00a0He folded it and slipped it into a pocket in his jacket. \u00a0As the sun disappeared behind the watchful peaks, he carefully made his way up the shore to the tree line, then onto the path that led back to the house – the house that was his home for more years than he cared to count.<\/p>\n

Once inside he carefully placed the letter in the center of the massive wooden desk. \u00a0The multitude of pictures on the desk had been rearranged to surround the letter in a protective semicircle.<\/p>\n

Pleased with all he had done the man let his eyes roam one last time around the all too familiar room. \u00a0So many memories flooded his thoughts \u2013 growing up in this house with his father, his brothers, and later his children, and nieces and nephews. \u00a0He smiled at each memory which warmed his heart. \u00a0He slowly walked to the door. \u00a0On the other side, he put the key in and locked it one last time.<\/p>\n

On the desk were photographs of three beautiful women, three handsome sons and many grandchildren; each one a testament to the man with a heart as big as his land.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A Tribute to Pa<\/strong><\/p>\n

(Happy)<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sending tendrils of rose, lavender and indigo reaching across the vast sky and the deep lake, the sun made its farewell as it slipped behind the western Sierras. \u00a0The man leaned on a large white boulder by the water\u2019s edge, pen and paper in hand. \u00a0He closed his eyes and took a slow deep breath. \u00a0The air was crisp and filled with too many fragrances to name, yet he knew each one. \u00a0Opening his eyes he began to write down his thoughts, thoughts that had been in his heart far too long.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em>Where do I begin, Pa? \u00a0What do I say? \u00a0So many thoughts have been swirling through my mind but now I feel they\u2019ve all been said, without a word being spoken. \u00a0Whenever I arrived here, I knew I was home. \u00a0Whenever I saw you, I was welcomed. \u00a0Whenever I felt your strong arms around me and I heard your gentle voice, I was loved. <\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em>Your heart is so big, as big as this place you have built for me. I cannot fathom how you can hold so much love for me and for the others that fill your life. \u00a0My earliest memory is of you and me walking amongst these tall pines. \u00a0I was so little then and you were so tall. \u00a0You taught me about caring for this land and giving back what I take. \u00a0I have tried my best to follow that no matter where I am. <\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em>I remember when you taught me to ride; you said that part of riding was also caring for the horse. \u00a0I had to learn all of it or none at all. \u00a0I could see the pride on your face the first time I took care of my pony all by myself then saddled him for a ride. \u00a0You didn\u2019t know I was looking but I\u2019ll never forget the pleasure that showed on your face that day as we rode together across our land. <\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em>The first time I learned to shoot you took me aside and taught me the gun was a tool. \u00a0You wanted me to respect it as much as I did the other tools we used on the ranch, but you also told me that the gun could someday save my life. \u00a0It was many years later when I found that to be true. \u00a0I never would have imagined hearing your wise words in my head as I protected myself. <\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em>You patiently taught me so much as I grew. \u00a0And when you didn\u2019t know it you taught me more. \u00a0I watched all you did through the years as you helped others in need and defended our land. \u00a0You maintained your values and morals no matter the cost to yourself. \u00a0Your family came first, then friends and neighbors, then even strangers in need. \u00a0You gave so much of yourself; I often feared there wouldn\u2019t be anything left for me at the end of the day. \u00a0But you were always there for me – to read to me, to tuck me in, to say my prayers, to be my mentor, my father, my Pa. <\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em>What I am really trying to say is \u201cthank you\u201d. \u00a0Thanks for taking the time to be there for me in so many ways. \u00a0Thanks for always showing me how to live and love through everything I do. \u00a0I am very proud to be your son and I hope I have made you proud to be my Pa. <\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Your loving son,<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The man read the letter and felt satisfied. \u00a0He folded it and slipped it into a pocket in his jacket. \u00a0As the sun disappeared behind the watchful peaks, he carefully made his way up the shore to the tree line, then onto the path that led back to the house – the house that was his home for more years than he cared to count.<\/p>\n

Once inside he carefully placed the letter in the center of the massive wooden desk. \u00a0The multitude of pictures on the desk had been rearranged to surround the letter in a protective semicircle.<\/p>\n

Pleased with all he had done the man let his eyes roam around the all too familiar room. \u00a0So many memories flooded his thoughts \u2013 growing up in this house with his father, his brothers, and later his children, and nieces and nephews. \u00a0He smiled at each memory which warmed his heart. \u00a0He slowly walked to the door and pulled it quietly closed behind him.<\/p>\n

As the rising sun warmed the great room the next morning, the old man sat at his desk with a gentle smile lighting his aged features. \u00a0He lovingly caressed the letter he found that morning and looked at the photos around him. On the desk were photographs of three beautiful women, three handsome sons and many grandchildren; each one a testament to the man with a heart as big as his land. \u00a0This special gift found its own space in his heart to warm him for the rest of his days.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Tags:\u00a0 Ben Cartwright,\u00a0Family<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

<\/g><\/svg><\/i> \"Loading\"<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 This is a Father’s Day tribute to our favorite Dad, and to all the dads and kids everywhere.<\/p>\n

Rating: K\u00a0\u00a0 WC = 1694<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8333,"featured_media":13074,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[23],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13073","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","wpcat-23-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":1061,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Family-3.jpg?fit=272%2C320&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":49369,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=49369","url_meta":{"origin":13073,"position":0},"title":"My Pa (by Puchi Ann)","author":"Puchi Ann","date":"June 15, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: A tribute from Adam, Hoss and Joe for Father's Day (transcribed by Puchi Ann) Rating: K Word Count: 88","rel":"","context":"In "Family"","block_context":{"text":"Family","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1008"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Square-Deal-Sam-2.jpg?fit=600%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Square-Deal-Sam-2.jpg?fit=600%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Square-Deal-Sam-2.jpg?fit=600%2C450&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13119,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13119","url_meta":{"origin":13073,"position":1},"title":"A New Year’s Renewal (by Karen)","author":"Karen","date":"July 7, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 It's the littlest things in life and the littlest one who can inspire. Rating:\u00a0 K\u00a0 (1,045 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":36609,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=36609","url_meta":{"origin":13073,"position":2},"title":"Grandfatherhood (by AC1830)","author":"AC1830","date":"May 20, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: Ben reflects on the wonder of being a father and a grandfather. A Father\u2019s Day tribute. 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Maybe, if you read it now, you'll spare a thought for the anniversary coming up this January 24. 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