I See You Dad

Homer Lester Baker, one of 9 children, one or two of whom died as children. He was my father and later my dad. He was 5 feet 11 inches tall with white hair and hazel eyes. His arms and neck were tan all year long from being outside but his body was white. He was a powerful man with lots of upper body strength and big hands, worn by hard work.

He was missing a lot of my early childhood traveling as a salesman. But then he came home and sold for the Lone Star Gas Company in Marlin. The gas company used to sell gas ranges, yard lights and even gas grills. From there he started teaching at South Junior High School in Waco and finally at Waco High School. He was a math teacher and that was his great gift in life. But he always wanted to be rich because he had a great longing to give his family what they wanted.

I remember his hands because they were big and had worked hard but also because he would message my legs at track meets between race to keep me limber. It really embarassed me when he did that but in hind sight it was wonderful for him to do that for me.

My dad loved me very much and looked to me to be successful where he had not been. He was also proud of me as the person he thought I was. I saw him this afternoon in my minds eye. His eyes were striking but also sad. My dad was not happy and I suspect he passed some of that along to my sister, brother and I. He didn't mean to but we as parents pass lots of things we don't realize we are passing to our children.

Another thing he passed to his children was his perserverance. I thanked him for that today.

I hope I see my dad again soon. I really miss him.

I love you dad,

Jody