Fairfield Village 07-20-2011

Several weeks ago, I wrote an article featuring the upcoming Father’s Day gathering at Fairfield Village’s Clubhouse the Saturday before Father’s Day.  I missed the fun because I was visiting in Virginia, but I promised our residents that I would follow up with photos from that evening.

A group of Fairfield residents hold the photos of their fathers as they honor these men's memories.

4. Paula LeBlanc danced with Don Ouellette to the tune of "O! My PaPa," one of Eddie Fisher's hit tunes and one meant to honor all fathers past, present, and future.

Well…I am keeping my promise and wishing that I could have been there to be a part of the honoring of “paternal units” as our children refer to fathers.  That is just a “Geissalism” as we call them.  It is meant in the best possible connotation by the way. :>))

The photos along with this piece are some of the most significant to the two lovely ladies who were the hostesses for the event.  Cecile Gautier and Paula LeBlanc thoroughly enjoyed all the preparations and the time to be somewhat sentimental about their own “papas” as many Canadians call their fathers.

Personally, I doubt that I would be anywhere close to the person I am if it were not for my “paternal unit” who was my adopted father.  Charles Edwin (Ed) Morris, Sr., probably the best gentleman I have ever known (other than my husband) adopted me, my sister and brother and treated us with the same affection as his “natural son” Ed, Jr. 

No one has had a greater influence on my spiritual life than he and no one could have been a better role model.  He was nearly perfect in my 15 year old eyes when he married my mom (and the whole family…a package deal!)  I was 15, my sister , Mary Ruth was 12 and my baby brother, Jimmy, was 3.  Eddie, our new brother was my age, and we graduated high school together in Lindale, GA from Pepperell High School  some 52 years ago this year.

I will never forget one thing that my “dad” taught me above all other things….”No one ever got to be one inch taller by stepping on someone else.”    That is so profound…I knew he meant “treat others with respect” but he said it in his own North Georgia colloquial way. 

Ed Morris was a quietly religious man, the first divorced ordained deacon in First Baptist Rome, GA history.  He treated my mother like a real lady, which had not been in her history…sadly.  She grew up as a foster child and married very young because it was expected at that time…1940.  Together Mary and Ed Morris spent almost 50 years after they married at the age of 35.  They both died within 5 months of each other.  I believe that life was not worth living to either of them without their “other half.”

I could write a tribute to dads, moms, marriage, family, Christian Love, generosity, hard work, devotion to duty…almost anything worthwhile and I could use my mom and dad as examples.  I sincerely hope that someday our children might have good thoughts about our parenting like I have about my mom and dad.   The thing about my dad was that he did not “have to be” my dad.  He chose to be…he formally adopted all three of us Morris kids and was equally proud of all of us.

When he passed away five years ago, his great-granddaughter…our grand Emily Esposito, was only 13 years old; however she insisted on giving a public eulogy at his funeral with no notes just genuine feeling for the man we all called “Dandy.”  I hardly remember what she said, but I saw the beautiful tears shed by a young lady who was molded by the love of a great man…her great grandfather.  I wish we all could have that kind of loving upbringing.  (By the way, he lived 420 miles away from her, but they talked on the phone at least weekly and saw each other as often as possible.)  She knew how much he loved his “Peanut” and she loved her “Dandy” just as much.

Lots of Fairfield folks have wonderful relationships with their families.  I wish some of them would call me (352-694-6251) or email me at pbgeissal@aol.com so that I could interview them and let others know more about our “…lively place filled with lovely people.” Have a great week.