Or that I hadn't heard,
Life lessons that you taught to me,
But I got every word.
And that we'd grow apart,
But Dad, I picked up everything,
It's written on my heart.
The person I am today;
You built a strong foundation
No one can take away.
And I'm very glad I did;
So here's to you, dear father,
From your forever grateful kid.
Sadly, my father and I have been estranged for a number of years. But some of my fondest memories are of brushing and tending our horses together when I was a teen. It was a quiet time, but companionable, and we talked of nothing special -- mostly horses. But I will never forget that my dad made it possible for me to have my first horse and the joy and responsibility that comes with it.
ReplyDeleteRebecca, my dad and I were also estranged for many years, over his favoritism toward one of his grandchildren over all the others. Before he died, he told me he had made a mistake, in his own way (we always called him "Spock" because that's exactly how he was!)LOL Still, I'm like you--I remember the "old" days, when I was growing up, and how hard he worked to give us a good life. In the summertime, we had an old packing quilt that we'd put out in the back yard and we'd look at the stars together--he taught me to find the Big Dipper when I was very young. Every time I go out and look up at the stars, I think of him. He had an understanding of me that my mom didn't have. He understood the rebellious stage. LOL My mom was determined to make us all fit into her idea of proper and so on, but Dad was able to understand that wild side, and though he didn't agree with it always, he did understand that no one could be perfect all the time. He has been gone now for 5 years, and I miss him. I wish things could have been better between us for all those years, but sometimes, it just isn't meant to be.
ReplyDeleteNicely said.
ReplyDeleteMy father lost his battle to bone cancer seven years ago. I sure do miss him. He always had a smile and hug for everyone. He went out of his way to help those in need. I didn't even realize how much until those he helped came to see him at the hospital. My father never boasted, he just did things out of the kindness of his heart. A good man, a loving husband and father, too.
Fond memories: He loved paranormal and Sci-fi movies. I'm sure this is where I found my love for them as well. We would discuss episodes of Smallville and what we thought would happen next week to Clark Kent. My dad was a big fan of Star Trek and couldn't wait to see the next movie. Dr. Who was another favorite-- my girls love the show because of him. lol
February and May we would go to the Scottish Festivals. We'd get up early, grab us some coffee and head out to the fairgrounds or the Queen Mary---wherever the event took place. Afterwards we would go out to eat. It was a wonderful day. Sure do miss those, among so many other things.
Happy Father's Day, Dad. Know we think of you often with those fond memories.
Beautiful poem for fathers.
ReplyDeletePop died when I was 33. He was 69 and on a vacation in Wilmington, NC. He was my touchstone, my wise advisor and teacher. We shared the same birthday. Pop meant the world to me and I miss him still.
I wish everyone a happy Father's Day.
I loved my daddy with all my heart. He made me feel special--as I've said many times, I thought I was beautiful and we were rich--all because of him. Mother, yes, kept us in those pretty clothes, but her admonition would be, Now don't get that dirty,..or fix your sash, and don't be tacky. I loved her, too, but she spoke in negatives. Daddy said, you sure are pretty in that dress, etc.
ReplyDeleteThe only time he seemed to be mad at me that I can remember was when, as a teen, I had a slumber party in the back yard. We made tents out of cots turned on the sides, and chair, and old quilts. About midnight, four boys came tip-toeing into the back yard. We were all giggling, but trying to be quiet. But two of them decided to climb up on the roof of our house--why, I don't know--but there was a good way by first climbing on a low carport, then onto the roof. Sure, they made noise. My daddy came slamming out the back door in his boxer shorts and nothing on top, yelling at those boys. What a row. Scared the boys half to death.
I have so many good memories, of Daddy, and nothing bad that I can recall..except the time he wouldn't build a bomb shelter in our back yard. I hated him for a while, but soon forgot about a bomb being dropped on our town.