November 04, 2008
ROBERT FRANCIS MCMAHON - APRIL 30, 1921 - NOVEMBER 4, 1988
What will I be thinking about today? Well, yes, there is that little election thing going on that I've had a comment or two about.
But more importantly to me, today is the twentieth anniversary of the passing of my father, known to us Oids as Pop. That's him holding me sometime in mid-1955. I think that was the last time I was small enough for him to hold. And I'll bet the shirt he's wearing would go for a bundle on eBay
"Oids", for those of you without relatives from New York, is a familiar diminutive of "birds" as pronounced by a Flatbush native. Think Bugs Bunny saying "birds". As in "Sitting on the coib at the corner of Toity-toid Street and Toid Avenue, listening to the boids choip."
Here's my Sainted Mother holding me (I'm Oid #3), with Oid #1 (White Lightning, left) and Oid #2 (Louie, right). At the time these pictures were taken, Oid #4 (Doodle) was not yet not even a gleam in me mother's eye.
Is your Dad still alive? Go now and tell him you love him. I'd give up practically anything for just one more day with My Old Man. Every day, I sit in the same office he did, in the same place, doing many of the same things he did. He, along with My Sainted Mother, made everything I have and all that I hold dear possible - my life, my education, my prosperity, my marriage, my kids - you name it. A picture of him in his Army uniform, taken when he was about the same age as The Goose is now, hangs on the wall next to my desk. I talk to it all the time.
Be thankful for your parents. I am. Let them know, too.
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What will I be thinking about today? Well, yes, there is that little election thing going on that I've had a comment or two about.
But more importantly to me, today is the twentieth anniversary of the passing of my father, known to us Oids as Pop. That's him holding me sometime in mid-1955. I think that was the last time I was small enough for him to hold. And I'll bet the shirt he's wearing would go for a bundle on eBay
"Oids", for those of you without relatives from New York, is a familiar diminutive of "birds" as pronounced by a Flatbush native. Think Bugs Bunny saying "birds". As in "Sitting on the coib at the corner of Toity-toid Street and Toid Avenue, listening to the boids choip."
Here's my Sainted Mother holding me (I'm Oid #3), with Oid #1 (White Lightning, left) and Oid #2 (Louie, right). At the time these pictures were taken, Oid #4 (Doodle) was not yet not even a gleam in me mother's eye.
Is your Dad still alive? Go now and tell him you love him. I'd give up practically anything for just one more day with My Old Man. Every day, I sit in the same office he did, in the same place, doing many of the same things he did. He, along with My Sainted Mother, made everything I have and all that I hold dear possible - my life, my education, my prosperity, my marriage, my kids - you name it. A picture of him in his Army uniform, taken when he was about the same age as The Goose is now, hangs on the wall next to my desk. I talk to it all the time.
Be thankful for your parents. I am. Let them know, too.
Posted by: JBD at
12:23 PM
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1
I think about Pop every time the front room lights dim by themselves; when I see the Chiquita Banana seal on the paper towel holder in the kitchen; when ever "Magnum P.I." comes on tv; and when I pass his photo in the front room.
What a guy - I know he's look down and watching over us all.
What a guy - I know he's look down and watching over us all.
Posted by: Lynnette at Thursday, November 06 2008 02:13 PM (o1Xqs)
2
Great shot of Pop McMahon and Baby JBD. It looks like Jimbo's hair-line has returned back to his days in the 50's! Mom, Bob and Greg haven't changed a bit!
Posted by: KC Jones at Saturday, November 08 2008 02:57 PM (IedaO)
3
Tell me about it. Mom looks like she's holding Mini-Me.
Posted by: JBD at Saturday, November 08 2008 03:15 PM (o1Xqs)
4
Jimbo; On days like this I think of all the pins, match books, mugs he collected and displayed throughout the house over the years. My Dad and he never met, were very similar, which is why I think we were so close. My Dad passed in Feb. of 1995, so I can feel the same pains you're going through.
Here's to his memory Bro, Ross
Here's to his memory Bro, Ross
Posted by: ROSS NASH at Saturday, November 08 2008 07:10 PM (o1Xqs)
5
Great job on the Pop tribute bro!.It brought back to mind a particular comment made by one of my new classmates whom I'd never met before at Marshall Jr High during an in-class personal introduction,I stated my name and mentioned that I lived in ElDorado Park Estates,she said something off the cuff to the effect of(no,now rethinking the moment,this is the actual quote):
"ElDorado?,you're rich!,and the McMahons are reeeeally respected around here."
I felt as if we as a family were viewed as being somehow elite even though I felt normal,comfortable in the fact that where I came from was always assumed to be at least the minimum expected norm,this is what you do,this is how you do it,build on it,a no brainer.
I think Pop picked up on the fact that I done good and had been quietly listening all along when I was at the cabin getting airborne in the buggy for the 1st time.
His 1st reaction,to me at least,upon hearing that I'd bought into a house without 1st consulting with him was on the order of an incoming intercontinental ballistic missile,but,he and Ma swung by my then new house a couple of weeks after buying in,and while touring the back yard were accosted by Glenn Smallwood,my new neighbor to the south:
Glenn-"Who the hell are you?"(suddenly popping his head up over the wall,big GRRRR! sounding with a Popeye tilt of the head and the squinty eye,as if suspecting that the joint was being cased for a robbery.)
Pop-"We're Dennis' parents."
Glenn-"Dennis who?",in a demanding tone.
Pop-"Dennis McMahon."
Glenn-"OK,you passed the test,just lookin' out for my new neighbor,great smart kid ya raised there."
Pop pulled me aside into the den during the next Thursday night dinner GTG @ the 3491 and said "You've got a nice place there and great neighbors,I'm really proud of you!"
That was all I needed.
"ElDorado?,you're rich!,and the McMahons are reeeeally respected around here."
I felt as if we as a family were viewed as being somehow elite even though I felt normal,comfortable in the fact that where I came from was always assumed to be at least the minimum expected norm,this is what you do,this is how you do it,build on it,a no brainer.
I think Pop picked up on the fact that I done good and had been quietly listening all along when I was at the cabin getting airborne in the buggy for the 1st time.
His 1st reaction,to me at least,upon hearing that I'd bought into a house without 1st consulting with him was on the order of an incoming intercontinental ballistic missile,but,he and Ma swung by my then new house a couple of weeks after buying in,and while touring the back yard were accosted by Glenn Smallwood,my new neighbor to the south:
Glenn-"Who the hell are you?"(suddenly popping his head up over the wall,big GRRRR! sounding with a Popeye tilt of the head and the squinty eye,as if suspecting that the joint was being cased for a robbery.)
Pop-"We're Dennis' parents."
Glenn-"Dennis who?",in a demanding tone.
Pop-"Dennis McMahon."
Glenn-"OK,you passed the test,just lookin' out for my new neighbor,great smart kid ya raised there."
Pop pulled me aside into the den during the next Thursday night dinner GTG @ the 3491 and said "You've got a nice place there and great neighbors,I'm really proud of you!"
That was all I needed.
Posted by: Doodle at Saturday, November 08 2008 07:17 PM (o1Xqs)
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