Father's Day

I don't think any parent child relationship goes along like a song.  There are times when you don't understand each other.  There are times when you resent each other.  There are times that you disagree....and perhaps neither of you are who the other envisioned you would be.....or want you to be.  In my younger days, I spent quite a bit of time at odds with my dad.  He wasn't always easy to get along with.  He wasn't always the dad that I wanted or felt I needed.

But thankfully, with maturity, I came to the realization that he was who he was and he was doing the best he could with what he had.  I think there comes a time in our lives that we have to forgive people for being who they are.....and maybe not who we want them to be.  I hope that some day I will be forgiven for these very same offenses.

I have seen a lot of Father's Day postings today.   They all proclaim their dad to be the very best.  Yet, I have been through life with some of these people.  I know there have been struggles in the past...and perhaps will be in the future.  All of the sudden on Father's Day every thing is rosy?  When it all comes down to it, the important thing about a dad is that he is there and he loves and supports  you....whatever that means to the both of you.  It is equally important that when his time of need comes...that you are there and you love and support him.  It is important on Father's Day...as well as every other day of the year, to take a moment to think about all the sacrifices our parent's have made for us.....and be grateful.

My dad wasn't big on expressing his feelings.  He was certainly his own unique person....who I still don't quite understand.  He left me with a lot of good story telling...this is for sure!! We didn't always see eye to eye.  But he was always there for me.  I know he always wanted the very best for me.  I know he was proud of me.  I certainly would not be the person I am today....in many ways....if it weren't for his influence.  It was perhaps in his last days....that I truly understood his love for me and for all of his family.

And so I raise a glass to my dad.....to the good times....and the bad; to being there and not giving up on each other.  And I thank him for being himself....and I laugh and I cry as I hear his voice in my memories.  I miss you and love you Daddy!

“I believe that what we become depends on what our fathers teach us at odd moments, when they aren't trying to teach us. We are formed by little scraps of wisdom.” 

~ Umberto Eco Foucault's Pendulum