My dad grew up on a dairy farm, graduated from high school, and enlisted with his cousin and best friend before he could be drafted into World War II.
He returned from the war with a dream of becoming a journalist, a newspaper reporter, a writer.
Instead he got a job, a wife, and my sister and me!
Actually, he got two jobs, a day job working in an office and a night job working at his brother-in-law's gas station. On weekends, with the help of his dad, he built us a house.
He also helped build a house for my aunt and uncle and then my grandparents. He never made time to go to college himself and get his dream job in journalism but he put two daughters through college so we could follow our dreams.
My dad had a passion for travel and a desire for his family to see the world. Every summer we packed up the tent and Dad drove us all over the United States and Canada for the two or three weeks of vacation he got from work. He also took us to Europe, toting our "bible", Europe on $10 a Day.
Dad was here to walk both his daughters down the aisle, spoil his grandchildren and watch them grow up. They believed there was no broken anything that Papa couldn't fix! He lived to hold his first great grand children, twin boys.
He has been gone several years now and I don't think a single day goes by that I don't want to tell or ask him something.
Here is another dad in my life I want to honor today, my daughter's husband who just happens to have
the same name as my dad!
Dad Extraordinaire to this lively bunch, my grandboys.
The Writer, children, and grandsons.
Happy Father's Day!
Happy Father's Day to all your men, your Dad sounds like a special man, lucky you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice tribute to your dad. Mine has been gone 10 years come December.
ReplyDeleteAll very interesting family history.
ReplyDeleteYour father was what we here would term - " A BLOODY GOOD BLOKE".
Seems that Ana has got another BLOODY GOOD BLOKE in her Don.
Trust Paul and his trip to Hilton Head for a golf day is successful
and that you cool down from the heat at home. I wish I could send you
a bit of our Terrigal much cooler weather.......minus the rain, unless
your gardens need a good soaking???
Father's day is first Sunday in September in Australia.
Cheers and beers to your Dad, Don and Paul......I't even have a schooner
for you - ha ha.
Colin
"I'LL even have a schooner for you - ha ha.
DeleteSorry thinking of my schooner and not concentrating on my spelling!
Colin
Lovely what you wrote about your late dad :)
ReplyDeleteFather's Day up there - oh my, didn't realize.
What a nice post with all the old pictures. You had a father who made the best of everything, family, work and travelling!
ReplyDeleteA wonderful tribute, I am blessed my Father is still around so a little bit gutted that I wasn't able to spend some time with him yesterday.
ReplyDeleteHappy Father's Day to The Writer! What a lovely photo of your Dad and you!! :)
ReplyDeleteI don't know why...tears are rolling down my cheeks. Happy father's day..
ReplyDeleteVery heartwarming indeed. Warm greetings to you and best wishes!
ReplyDeleteDear Cynthia, this is a beautiful tribute to your father. He found his fulfillment not in journalism and writing or college but in raising a fine family and providing for all. So many wonderful and inspiring people in our world. Peace.
ReplyDeleteFond memories of Dad there plus a lively looking crew...:)
ReplyDeleteReading this post a bit after the day, but wanted to comment on how lovely a tribute to your dad. Thanks for sharing. And, also it was nice to see your family as well, Cynthia.
ReplyDelete