June 6th marks the day my Dad, Woody, transitioned to spirit. He was a patriot and proud military man, so it was fitting that he crossed over on D-Day*.
Throughout my life, my Dad inspired me. He taught me the value of living in the moment, “crossing that bridge when we come to it”, and above all, remaining positive through thick and thin. Being a full-bred Irish Catholic, he prided himself on being a graduate of ‘Blarney Tech’. He possessed the gift of gab and always made others feel comfortable in his presence. As a devout man of faith, he lived by the credo that his savoir always had his back.
Even as the years passed and time took a toll on his health, robbed him of his vision and his hearing, he maintained his ever so positive frame of mind and indomitable spirit.
My Dad was always there for me. He believed in me even when I was unable to believe in myself. He was Johnny-on-the-spot when I needed advice on how to best navigate through unforeseen challenges both personally and professionally and most especially while I was employed in the corporate world. Through his support, encouragement and grooming, he unknowingly shared his gifts of diplomacy, patience and stage presence, helping me to achieve my goals throughout life.
I began connecting and communicating with the spirit realm shortly after my mother, Leah’s death.
As time moved along the continuum, my father became more curious and open to the possibility of speaking with the dead. His faith taught him that we do ‘rise again’ and that there is ‘more to life than meets the eye’. We found ourselves talking more and more and with greater ease and a deeper understanding of my mother’s presence in our lives. He became more accepting with each connection my mother made. He even came up with a code word – the word he would use to connect with me after he transitioned to let me know he had “made it”. He would use that word whenever he wanted to connect with me.
After his passing I waited and waited and waited – patiently – purposely giving him whatever space he needed. Imagine my delight when he finally reached out nine months later. (A full gestation period of time.) His message revealed the truth of a particular situation I had been grappling with since his death, and provided me with much needed clarity and comfort. And for those of you who may be wondering – yes, he used his code word.
Since then he ‘pops’ in and out of my life, sharing quick messages, just enough to let me know he is with me. I take comfort in knowing he will be back over and over again and we will share more quality time together. My father continues to inspire me on a daily basis and for that I am grateful.
*D-Day; (June 6, 1944) The day in World War II on which Allied forces invaded northern France by means of beach landings in Normandy.
My Dad served in the US Army, 107th Medical Evacuation Unit. Their unit was not a part of the Normandy invasion. They arrived on Omaha Beach eight weeks after the invasion, on July 12, 1944. The members of the 107th Evacuation Hospital Unit followed in General MacArthur’s footsteps caring for the sick and injured throughout England, France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany until V-E Day (Victory in Europe – May 8, 1945).
If you are interested in learning more about the history of the 107th Click Here
Dear Olde Dad, William, ‘Woody’ Ford was 145 days shy of his 100th birthday
on ‘D-Day’, 2019.
© 2019 ALL Rights Reserved. Listen To Thyself with Diane Marie Ford. Share this article to your heart’s content, but please do not use it without my written permission. Thank you.
2 thoughts on “My Father ~ My Inspiration”
Comments are closed.