by Evelyn Wood Winkel
February 22, 1998
It is impossible for me to adequately, and properly, describe my lifelong relationship with my devoted father, Harold Wm. Wood. This wonderful man was a devout Christian, who was loving, kindly, appreciative, friendly, and had an incredible zest for life until his last days. He carried this personality on until the very last hours before his peaceful death, when he said "thank you" to his nurse, and "I love you" to me.
My close personal relationship with my father was based on his UNCONDITIONAL LOVE for me which started from the day of my birth, and is which is still with me in another place.
He established a strong bond with me by often devoting special attention to me, his daughter. When I was a 6-month old baby (in 1942), he took me, ALONE, by automobile on a long trip from California to Oklahoma to introduce me to his family. He continued, throughout my lifetime to provide numerous special opportunities for us to share this world together...... some of the highlights included a wildlife photographic safari in the far northeast comer of India when I was I 8 years old, joining me alone on an Alaska cruise just 5 years ago, and often it was just "being together" visiting about his thoughts and philosophies.
The most important gift and influence, however, that my father gave to me was his devotion, and unconditional love which he expressed to me throughout my life. Even during my most difficult times as a child, teenager, and adult, he was ALWAYS available on a moment's notice to comfort me and guide me with calmness and caring. He never said an unkind word to me, never lost his temper with me, and never judged me, despite my many foibles, trials, and tribulations.
MY father, never (or at least very rarely) said an unkind word to, or about others. He accepted, and loved, each and every one of his family members, relatives, and friends, for whom they were. He always saw only their positive side, and NEVER judged their weaknesses.
He had an important motto which I often heard him say. It is my hope that this message will be passed on, and practiced by all who loved and cared for him, in his memory.
It is : "If your can't say something nice, don't say anything at all"
I would now like to share one of my father's own personal writings which I feel will best summarize his philosophy of life:
"The Things I Cherish" by Dr. Harold Wm. Wood, 1997 (published on his Website at:http://homepage.mac.com/muirpower/docsstory/things_i_cherish.html) Dad's Home Page with several articles and essays is found at: http://homepage.mac.com/muirpower/docsstory/
This
page is maintained by Dr. Wood's son, Harold W. Wood, Jr.,
of Visalia, California.
My E-mail address is: harold@planetaryexploration.net
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