GREEN EYES
Repost and edited from September 2011
They were green eyes… I realized with time his eyes really did most of the talking for him during his lifetime. It wasn’t as much the look or expression on his face as it was the focus or emotion in his eyes that could portray any sense of feeling he had.
They were his mom’s eyes. His dad was half Native American, or at least that’s what his dad told everyone. His dad most certainly looked half Indian. In fact, to say he looked full blood would be a bit more accurate. He had some of his dad’s attributes, but the eyes were from his mom’s side of the family.
Those eyes were strong first, they showed intent in everything he did, but they also carried in them peace and joy. Long after I first began to understand the strength in those eyes, I would slowly, with time, realize in those green eyes were comfort.
As I looked out over my guard, which was identical to his, due to his teaching, I saw joy. Those green eyes told me he was having fun. Despite his waining skills, my quickness would be a bit too much for the man behind those haunting green eyes… finally.
As we moved, sidestepped quickly, carefully positioning the members of our bodies to best the other, I saw something else in those eyes. I saw extreme joy mixed with intensity… I didn’t see a shred of doubt…
The confidence in his eyes caught me a bit off-guard. The man behind the green eyes was underestimating the skill behind mine. I knew I was physically superior. I had longer, quicker and stronger arms. My feet and legs were superior as well.
It was all in fun, we weren’t going to throw full punches, just a hard, stinging pulled punch or slap in order to prove who would be the best for that day.
A hint of his eyes in mine
“You have any idea how fast I am?” I chuckled as we were moving around each other.
“I bet you’re really fast,” he was almost laughing.
Then he said something like, “Why don’t you show me some of that speed,” still smiling big. Right before he could get the last syllable out, I launched a lightning left jab getting ready to “slap” his right cheek… It never got there…
He parried my jab with his right and landed two straight jabs to the side of my face while I thought I had my guard up. It went on for another 20 or 30 seconds as the kind eyes and smile pummeled me gently.
By that time, his eyes were pouring emotion. He laughed his high-pitched perfect laugh. I laughed too… He grabbed me and hugged me, laughing, “Son, your faster than I thought you were,” he was still laughing, but sincere in his assessment.
His green eyes were proud, not of himself, he didn’t matter to himself, he was proud of me for really nothing, just for belonging to him.
I was proud of who he was as a man. His eyes hid no intention other than the truth of God he lived his life by, and that could be clearly seen in his green eyes.
As time goes on and God reveals to and in me who I am in this world, it changes me from not only the inside but the outside as well.
On a rare occasion and the light and angle are just right, as I glance in the mirror, I can see them, faintly, deep inside I spot them, my father’s eyes. I remember the eyes looking back at me, reminding me of the man I can still be.
When God took my dad home to be with Him, He plucked a piece of my heart and took it with them. Through the sorrow, I’ve learned it was His way of preparing me for when it is my turn to be taken home.
I’m also left with the memory and the love I will always carry with me, captured in those green eyes…
Sunday, October 15, 2017 @ 11:42 am
I love this one, Floyd… loved feeling you think out loud. And it gave words to something I always saw in you … your eyes didn’t give away much – but they said enough … when something or someone mattered to you . I could always feel that in you .
While so many students passed through my classroom – there are those who left their footprints on my heart & you are one of those . Tho I can’t always put into words why – your “Green Eyes” reminded me of a favorite Maya Angelou saying that while people will forget what you did , they will never forget how you made them feel …
As a teacher we seldom know what impact we have on our student’s lives – and I realize that our students have no idea what impact they have on our lives … I feel like I got so much more in return than I could ever give & will be forever grateful for that … you are one of those students who touched my life in a special way… what you “said” with your eyes made my heart smile then – what you feel out loud – with your words today, as a man, continues to make my heart smile & I thank you …
Sunday, October 15, 2017 @ 3:56 pm
Well you were one of those people, teachers or otherwise, that had a huge impact on my life. You have a gift for making everyone feel special. You did when I was a kid and you do now. Some things that never change are the greatest gifts we can get. Thank you for sharing yours with me and so many others. You are one of a kind.
Honored to have made your heart smile. You did mine too. Your still teaching me after all these years…
Blessings to you and yours.
Sunday, October 15, 2017 @ 5:24 pm
And… I am still learning from you – the gift is when the student teaches the teacher – pretty special 💓
Blessings to you & your family as well… you have a gift , Floyd – thank you for sharing it ,
Hilary
Sunday, October 15, 2017 @ 5:57 pm
Your post is a lovely tribute to your Dad with his green eyes. So wonderful his smile as he played at you. I enjoyed the comment by your former teacher. It is so awesome when a teacher leaves her thumb print on our chest and encourages us to go forward. I will be away next time you post, but will catch up later.
Sunday, October 15, 2017 @ 6:17 pm
What a special post and what a special dad (and son)! My daddy’s eyes were blue–the only blue eyes in our immediate family, and how I miss him, his eyes, his bear-paw hands, his strong embrace, and his beautiful voice.It’s hard isn’t it, Floyd–so hard–because no one will ever replace our dads. But every time you remember, every time you share, every time someone sees his reflection in *your* eyes, he lives on. Somehow I associate green eyes with the Irish. Maybe he was. No doubt his eyes (maybe Irish eyes) were smiling.
Love
Lynn
Sunday, October 15, 2017 @ 8:56 pm
What a lovely post and wonderful tribute to your dad. So much love…through this simple & elegant description. I always receive a treat whenever I pop over to your blog, Floyd. May the Lord continue to bless you and be with you.
Monday, October 16, 2017 @ 5:42 am
Dude! Great piece of work! When I first saw the title the song “Green Eyed Lady” went through my mind. Then as I read this was not going to be about a lady but a man…one very close to you. I’m glad you had this time of laughter and challenge with your dad. Memories are made to stay.
Monday, October 16, 2017 @ 9:08 am
Touching and beautiful tribute to your dad, Floyd. Ironically, green eyes become an incredibly strong theme in my novels. If you’ve yet to read them, let me know! I think you would enjoy them a great deal, just as Bill has.
http://www.gladetrilogy.wix.com/theglade
Blessings!
Monday, October 23, 2017 @ 7:09 am
I’m still on your first one!
Monday, October 16, 2017 @ 5:48 pm
Hi Floyd,
I’m blessed that you re-posted this piece. I’ve known that you wrote about your father, but of course I didn’t know you while you were doing it. With this I can see not only the power of your writing but also the depth of the affection between you two. I like the way you wrote it, and I concur with all elements of your emotion, from your love of him while he swiftly parried your jab and landed two on you, through your pride at his love for you, and all the way through to your sense of loss after he went home to the Lord. Thank you again.
Tuesday, October 17, 2017 @ 4:32 am
What a loving tribute! Your Dad sounds like he was a great man, and you are definitely following right in his footsteps. You touch the world with your posts and move each heart that comes here to read and find encouragement. We are finding that same comfort you found in your father’s eyes, as you carry on his legacy to this generation. It reminds me of that Amy Grant song, “My Father’s Eyes”. Thank you for another moving post, brother. God bless you and your family always.
Tuesday, October 17, 2017 @ 10:42 am
Your words are beautiful and God-honoring, Floyd. Thank you for sharing the depth of them with us right out of the deep places of your heart. Please don’t ever change.
Wednesday, October 18, 2017 @ 10:16 am
You bring back memories of my own dad. He had steel blue eyes. All four of us kids have dark brown. But when I see someone else even now with my dad’s eyes, I remember him.
Wednesday, October 18, 2017 @ 11:29 am
I love it when you write about your dad, Floyd. Thank you for reposting this. I missed it the first time around.