Laid to rest...

Daddy was laid to rest this afternoon at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, GA. He received taps and my Mother was given the American flag. The ceremony was beautiful. His wake, funeral and burial were well attended and he was loved by many.

My Dad was born in Orrville, AL in 1931. He attended a Lutheran church and school as a child. He left home at an early age and traveled as a migrant farmer through various states to Canada. He later joined the Army and at the end of his service met and married my Mother Juanita Dukes in 1954. They had 6 daughters. Debra, Karen, Stephanie, Rosina, Pamela (me) and Marcia. My Dad was an advocate for education and always impressed upon us the importance of getting our education and being seif sufficient. He leaves behind 15 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, 13 brothers and sisters and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

I have been thinking of him all day today. I keep saying his name. Daddy, pronounced Daiddy

Goodbye Daddy. I'll see you in heaven.

Daddy 6/17/1931- 8/18/2009 Rest in Peace

This is my Dad, General Dukes. He had stage 4 stomach cancer which spread to his liver. I haven't blogged at all about it but it has been on my mind daily. He's at home now. He passed away yesterday, Tuesday August 18, 2009 at 6:50am.

We picked out his casket today and chose the flowers for the funeral which will be held this Saturday August 22nd at 12:00pm EST.

We cried and laughed talking about him in the funeral home conference room this afternoon. It felt good to release some of what I have had bottled up inside me.

My Dad was kind. He always had a kind word for me and was always concerned for my well being. I know that he was proud of me and my accomplishments with my business. He was also an entrepreneur which is where I get my entrepreneurial spirit.

He's in a better place now and his pain is gone. Rest in peace Daddy, I love you and you will always be in my heart.

Ode to the Pound Cake

My sister Karen bakes the most scrumptious pound cake I have ever tasted. It's the kind of cake that long after you have eaten it you think of it. Reminisce about it. Dream of it. I have thought about it 3 times today. I ate the last of it this afternoon. I only had 2 slices. I don't understand why she only brought 2 slices to my house when I have 6 members of my family. She baked a whole cake and left it at her house. I have thought about reporting her to her personal trainer and boot camp instructor but that would be mean of me.

I have decided to blog about the pound cake. Pay tribute to it....~

Ode to the Pound Cake

It lies there, my heart aches
Yellow like the sun filtered through my blinds
Coy, shy not like just any cake
It's special~one of a kind
***
It has many admirers, it tempts
Tender crust so tan, so sweet
When I think of it I get ferklempt
It's one pound cake that can't be beat
***
One bite or two, three or four
One slice or two is not enough
After I've eaten it I want some more
I can learn to make it if I get off my duff
***
So the pound cake is gone I have none to ponder
The sun will rise again, it is dawn
I will ask her to bake one for me, will she? I wonder~
***

I meant to take a photo of the cake in hopes to remind me of its decadent flavor. I did not. All I have now are memories.