Father's Day has been one of those days that I have enjoyed over the years. I don't normally like these days but I do like doing things and buying things for my dad and my husband so this is a day I enjoy. Men in my like have always been important to me for many reasons.
I am the youngest of four kids. The oldest a girl then two boys then me. I was a tomboy also and loved to be where the boys were. I hated to be feminine and enjoyed doing guy things. I loved to play "their sports" and get dirty with them. I had two strong grandfathers. Strong in ethics and morals and just physically strong men. My mothers father was from Wales and came to Canada as a young boy. He worked for the railway in Canada and we would talk for hours about the railway and unions and all that was involved. My grandfather had the best garden of any one I knew. Everyone knew about his garden and his green thumb. I loved going to their house to eat because you knew the veggies were from his garden and they were amazing. He made his own compost and it was the best. Everyone knew it. He shared the duties in the house by helping with laundry and various other things. I learned from him how to have a "stiff upper lip." He taught us the love of music and he was a great bass singer. He always had an LP on when we went over to their house. Opera or classical music was his favorite. I remember most about him his pipe collection and how they smelled when he would have a pipe. He also loved a good meal and would savor every bite. My dad's father was and equal in many ways and yet different also. He loved music and was in many marching bands. He and my dad would go hunting and fishing and bring home their catches. I would always volunteer to help pluck the birds or the geese with my grandfather. We would be in the basement of their house and he had this little black and white TV down there on a table and we would have it on to some show. It was never about the show but just spending time with him. He was also really funny. When we would eat at their house the grandkids would sit beside him at the table and he would always make us laugh so much that milk would come through our noses. He loved the lake and as a teacher he spent the summers out their with us. He was a veteran and had been injured and all I ever knew was my grandfather with a limp. That was o.k. That's who he was. He had this drawer in their kitchen that he kept filled with candy,chips,chocolates and anything else kids like. I always waited for him to give the signal before I went and got anything. He always made my grandmother mad and that was funny as a kid. I think he liked to get her fired up especially where us kids were concerned. He was the originator of nick names in our family. He had them for everyone. Some were very endearing and only he could use them for those individuals. My mom was one of the chosen and it was very known that that was only his name for her. What a great relationship they had. My mom really loved him and he did her. My grandfather also loved dogs. When one of our dogs got hurt at his hands (definitely an accident) I had never seen him cry until that time. He would never hurt a dog and mostly spoiled them. I learned then that he was more than the man I knew and loved and his tenderness about the dog and us kids gave me a bigger understanding about how good of a man he was.
Many years ago we moved to a new area in Calgary and went to a church. W went to a meeting ab out a church plant and when we left the meeting an older couple followed us out and we began an incredible relationship with them. They became like surrogate grandparents to our girls and taught and did so many great things with and for them. The girls to this day talk about the movie nights and suppers with them. How important you were to our girls john and that will last a lifetime.
I married a man 29 years ago July. Talk about your opposite, that is what we are. But they say opposites attract. Dan is a great guy, great friend,great husband and best of all great father. We have 3 girls so he is all alone in a female house. He has put up with so much but I think he has fared well also. You name it he has done it for us. He has always gotten along with my dad and the changes that have come with my family over the years. I used to work 12 hour shifts when our girls were young and growing up. So I would call him to pick up stuff for me after work on his way home and he would no questions asked. He would do the girls hair for church. I bought a book that would show him how to do braids and whatever else they wanted. They all had long hair and of course it had to be done. He learned how to do the laundry(not always successful) and iron. He was always a better cook that I was but he always did a great job. The girls still talk about how dad cooks and makes meals without a recipe.(?) Sometimes I guess a recipe would have been good but it always seemed to work out. He always took care of me more than I could have asked for. When I had my major accident afew years ago couldn't walk or really do anything he was right there with me every step of the way. When I felt sorry for myself after the accident he held me when I cried. When I was afraid of PT he encouraged me to keep going and do what the professionals wanted me to do. He worked at home for 3 months to look after me day and night. I sill find it interesting that no one ever called to see how he was doing except our girls and my dad and mom. He never complained. He did everything as if there was no problem. He cleaned, got the groceries, made christmas dinner and everything that goes with it, looked after the dogs and took me to all my appointments with out any murmers or complaints. I would never have made it without you Dan. I love you and I feel humbled by the sacrifice that you have made for me.
So the last man in my life I want to acknowledge is my dad. We have a special relationship. Of course daughters and fathers is unique and an interesting relationship. I always wanted to be where my dad was. He taught me so much when I was a little girl. I would ride in the car with him and we would sing together. I would stand on the bridge on the floor of the car while he drove.(that was in the day when you didn't wear seat belts) If he was fixing something I was right there. I bought my first car a standard and drove it home by myself. He was worried but let me do it. He showed me how the change a tire and how the car needed to be looked after. I appreciate how he welcomed Dan into our family and I'm sure he knows what that has meant to me. When my dad walked me down the aisle when Dan and I were getting married he tells me I needed to smile since I was paying for the pictures. Thanks dad, so glad I had you for that long walk. I remember the festive times we would go out to my parents home for a meal with everyone and my dad would disappear for long periods of time. I later found out that he would take our cars and fill them up with gas or change the oil in them. I remember when I was pregnant for the first time. I was always sick 24-7. So Dan decided to make supper this one night and tried a new casserole out and it was not good. Later that week my dad pulls him aside and says"this is not the time to try out new stuff. Keep it basic." Thanks dad!! My dad has helped us out so many times in many ways. Having them come down the visit us and be with us while the girls were growing up was so important. Our girls have learned so much by my dad sharing so much family stuff with the girls and just plain getting to know them over these years. That can never be replaced and Dan and I thank you so much dad. What a great example for our girls. Any young man coming into this family has alot to live up to with a grandfather and father like our girls have. What a great example of how men can be with their wives, family and others. Of course none of the men in my life are perfect-far from it but have shown through my life that being honest,genuine and having integrity can go a lifetime.
So happy fathers day to the men I've had in my life and those who are in my life now. You have made my life better and I thank you so much.
