Saturday, May 1, 2010

A DAY MY DAD LOVED

****I AM PRETTY SURE HE IS SMILING
To my Dad there was nothing like the Kentucky Derby. He lived and breathed horse racing for as long as I can remember. He owned many horses and named them after his kids and grandkids. Horse Racing was his passion, his life. Last year, a jockey that rode for him many times, Calvin Borel, won a HUGE race, riding MINE THAT BIRD! I knew my Dad was smiling. My Dad died a few years ago, but some of my sweetest memories are seeing him at the track in his element. I can still see him, the exact place he stood during any race he had a horse in. He loved going to the paddocks watching them saddle the horses. He always had a racing form in his hand. And if his horse lost(and many did) I can still see him making his way to the jockey to see what went wrong. I can still remember his words if they ran bad, his HUGE SMILE, if one of them won. He loved to have family in the winners circle. We have a picture of Parker in the Winners Circle when he was three months old. So today I am thinking of you Daddy and I know you are watching. I wish I knew who you had your money on.
DON"T FORGET THERE ARE 2 GIVEAWAYS on
MY OTHER BLOG that I will be drawing for
TOMORROW NIGHT.

32 comments:

Suburban Princess said...

He will be really happy right now!

Lindsey said...

What's your dad's name? My dad is a huge horse racing fan!

Terra said...

Teresa, it is so sweet learning yet another aspect about you and now your daddy. Horse racing is a grand endeavor. Did you read Horse Heaven, which is a brilliant book, which sometimes takes the horse's point of view, and is about racing.

Unknown said...

I have to admit that this California girl doesn't know a thing about horseracing. I wouldn't know the beginning or the end of it but after reading the memories of your dad's love, I found myself smiling along with you. I'm sure he's smiling too.

Em said...

Ahhh, what a great story! Your Dad sounds like a man who lived a life of passion, and there's no other way to love. I would have loved to have talked racing with him. Great post!

Miss Debbie said...

A sweet post! Thanks for sharing those special things about your dad. One of the women I work with went to the Derby today. Guess I'll hear all about it on Monday!

Debra@CommonGround said...

Teresa, what a sweet and loving post! I think us girls miss our Daddy's extra special. I know I do mine also! Hope you're having a lovely weekend.
hugs,
Debra

Tanya said...

Hi Teresa,
Sooooooooo nice of you to stop by my blog...it made my day!!!!!! ;0)
I am adding you as one of my regulars after just a few minutes of reading...you are so sweet and fun. Your horse racing blog today caught my eye about your Daddy. How sweet was that!! My 23 year old son is currently helping train race horses and LOVES it. He works for a good friend and takes horses to Des Moines and Tulsa and OKC a lot. We had our eye on the Derby today too.
Your children are beautiful and those grandbabies are adorable. I'm hoping to have some of those someday.
Will quit for now but talk again soon. Thanks again for visiting me.

Cathy~Mille Fleur said...

Oh Teresa!I have goose bumps! This is so sweet...I love that you have such find memories of your daddy! I am the same way about the Masters golf tourament! My dad went every year and enjoyed it so...I think of him constantly...but it always brings a smile to my face when it is Masters time.

I just saw on your profile that you are from Shreveport. My husband and I lived ther for 5 months after we graduated from college! I worked for First National Bank downtown and My husband worked for Commercial National Bank. We didn't stay long because we got an opportunity to move to California which was closer to my family...small world!

Thank you so much for your sweet comment...you made my evening!

Enjoy!
Cathy

Cranberry Morning said...

I too know nothing about horse racing, except that I hate to miss the Kentucky Derby on TV and then to go on to see if there will be a Triple Crown winner. Well, Calvin did it again, and I think it makes us all happy - at least for him, the owner, and trainer - and Super Saver - especially since the track looked scary to me!

What a nice post!

Nina Diane said...

how sweet!

Unknown said...

Being a Ky gril I LOVE my Derby.. Although I had my eye on Line of David today I think it is awesome that Borel won another one making history today.. How in demand ya think he is gonna be next year..

Sara said...

I loved your beautiful post about your dad, so touching!

You have the Sunshine award waiting at my blog, Congrats!
Have a great weekend,
Sara

Justabeachkat said...

What a sweet sweet post!

Sometimes I missed my Daddy so much. I wish he was still alive.

Hugs!
Kat

Theresa said...

Sweet memories Teresa! My Dad passed away 3 years ago and the memories are so vivid of things he said and did! Love those memories and I will cherish them forever. Have a blessed day my friend! Hugs!

Love Being A Nonny said...

I still have my dad and I cherish the memories we are still able to make together. Your dad would be so proud of this post....and for keeping his memory alive for your grands!

billypandnikkysmom said...

What a great post!!! I love horse racing too & I love Derby Day!!!! I was so happy when Calvin Borel won, I was pulling for Devil-May-Care but couldn't help but jump up when I saw Calvin & Super Saver make their move!!!! What a race!!! Hope he can get the next two :)!!!!

Nelson's Mama said...

Love your blog!

Don't know if you noticed, but Borel was crying during "My Old Kentucky Home" yesterday...so was I.

Our Derby experience was so special and I can completely understand how it could get in your blood.

The horses are so beautiful and are poetry in motion. I practically hold my breath until they are all safely across the finish line.

My guess is that your Dad would have had a small wager on Mr. Super Saver and would indeed be smiling today!

2nd Cup of Coffee said...

Teresa, I LOVED this! How exciting that he knew Calvin Borel! Those are great memories that you have to cherish. I'm so glad you nudged me to come read this; I really enjoyed it. So cool!

Faythe said...

What a lovely tribute to your dad. I am sure he is smiling down and blessing his family still here on earth. I bet is was great growing up around horses, did you get to ride? my last job was as a parimutuel teller, but at a dog track. they did do simulcasting with other tracks & remeber the excitment of Derby day! I was offeredt the chance to work the derby, but it was a long drive from WI & a bit to scarey for me at the time ;) but the experience to be there was sure tempting!

DUSTINE said...

I just wanted to say that I love the way your blog LOOKS...it's such a great place to come visit...aesthetically speaking! It's easy to see that you LOVE blogging and have put so much into your page! Bravo! It's beautiful!
What an awesome memory of your dad! Loved reading about him!

He & Me + 3 said...

I am sure he was happy. What a sweet post.

Tammy said...

What a great post...and I bet he was smiling too!

Just a little something from Judy said...

I loved watching the Kentucky Derby on Saturday. I was so excited to see that Calvin won another race, and the emotions that he shows after winning. I can't imagine how much more special this race would be to me, if my dad had been such a big part of that world. That is so special for you to hold those memories in your heart. I can't believe that Calvin raced horses for your dad, and you all got an opportunity to be in the winner's circle. This is such a sweet tribute to your dad and to the Kentuckey Derby. So happy that you shared it.

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

I could just feel your sweet daddy's warm smiles through your words. He sounded like an amazing daddy!

God bless and have a super day!!!

koralee said...

What a lovely post..your blog is beautiful..so glad you left me a comment so I could find you. What sweet memories of your dad. Off to visit some more of your past posts. Have a great week. xo

Unknown said...

what a lovely tribute!. Love your blog.

Anonymous said...

Aww, Teresa, what a sweet post! I think you may have been a Daddy's girl like me! :)
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Personalized Sketches and Sentiments said...

I enjoyed this post of your dad and his love of the horse races! Are you from Kentucky? All our three and son-in-law are in Lexington, KY. Our two daughters and SIL went to UofL for undergrad and then on to Dental and Med school at UK and our son is in his 2nd yr of undergrad at UK.

Our younger daughter was a 2008 KY Derby princess and that was such an exciting and amazing opportunity! My heart's desire is to move to KY...hopefully to live close when the grandbabies start "a'comin'" :o)

Blessings & Aloha!

Kimberley said...

I really like this, so beautifully written! We used to have race horses and I am still active in the horse community in other disciplines so I can relate to all of the feelings and emotions, especially this time of year when the derby rolls around!

PS. Thanks for stopping by my blog!

Amanda M. said...

THank you so much for stopping by my blog! I just LOVE yours! :)

Erica Miller said...

yes, I am sure he was smiling! As he probably does often because of all his adorable great grandsons!