[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Fathers (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 3/9/2008 2:26:12 PM EDT
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I was on my way out to my Dads to help him "dig out" from the big snow when he called and said not to bother, his neighbor came over and plowed my Dads drive with his tractor Damn--I was looking forward to helping the old man out--I try to repay him for the countless times he has helped me The other thread about "a sit down talk with dad" got me thinking about the father/son bond Please use this thread to post anything you would like to about your father |
He died in 1977, I was 14. I can't remember him ever saying he loved me, or vice-versa. That's one of the biggest regrets of my life. |
Fellow member of the Dead Dad's Club checking in.  Colon CA is our family's bane.He met my stepson (with the PBXGF), but never my stepdaughter or daughter from my marriage. He's been gone 11 years. I'm just glad that we had a chance to achieve a sort of friendship, and go beyond the "regular" Father>Son relationship. |
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My dad's been my best friend for as long as I can remember. He's the type of person who will do anything for anyone in need. He's 65, but still very active. We live about 60 miles away, but I usually call him once or twice a week. He's got a pretty special bond with my son, who was the first grandkid on my side of the family. I loved watching the two of the sit next to each other fishing when my son was 5 years old, or my dad showing him how to do something. He |
+1. my father left when i was 7, havent heard from him since i was 12. I'm a better man for hot having his influence, but even if i was feeling reconciliatory, i wouldnt know where to find him. |
Funny. My Dad said, "Don't smoke in the house" "I'm an alcoholic so go easy on the booze" Also, "CLEAN YOUR FUCKING ROOM!!!!" |
There are ways of going about doing it if you ever wanted to. I found my dads son/my half brother just by looking up some info online. |
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My stepfather is wonderful and helped me out so much throughout the years. My biological dad doesnt really have anything to do with my sister and I. He just up and left when I was 7 and my sister was 6 weeks. He told me he was going to Dairy Queen to get me an ice cream and never returned. My soon to be father-in-law is wonderful and is helping out my fiance and I out so much with getting our lives together started. We would not be where we are without him, and I wouldnt be where I am if it wasn't for my stepfather Stepfathers are amazing in how they can change a persons life just by being there for them. 
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Happen to think my father is one of the greatest men in the world. Although he's small in size, he's big in heart and enjoying life. He spent 25 plus years in the military (and was going to kick my ass when I enlisted), traveled the world, had three other jobs when he got out, and although my mom passed away a couple of years ago (after they were married for 40 years), I wasn't sure if he (dad) would survive without mom. Well, dad fly fishes almost every year in Alaska or Montana as well as his local streams, golfs, bowls and still stays active for 75 years old. He's taught me well, and told me that he was proud of the fact that he thinks I've accomplished more than he did when he was my current age (which I disagree with). My wife loves him dearly, and he spends a lot of time with us. I consider myself blessed to have such a great man in my life. That said, when I was a lot younger, my father and I always butted heads together, and the fact is we could of killed each other just trying to do the most simple job together. Looking back at some of the things I've done, I'm surprised that he didn't kill me. Funny how much smarter my dad has become once I got a little older. I'm not looking forward to the day I will have to burry him because I'm going to cry like a baby. |
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My father was born 07 OCT 1928. He joined the U.S. Army shortly after his 17th birthday (he dropped out of school in the 10th grade) on 24 OCT 1945 and went to Wiesbaden, Germany. After leaving the Army in 1947, he did a short stint in the Navy. In 1961, he became a Police Officer in Flint, MI until he retired, as a homicide detective, in 1986. Unfortunately, he died the day after his 65th birthday on 08 OCT 1993, while I was stationed in Germany. He was a great father and we used to hunt and fish whenever we got the chance. My son, who was born after my dad passed, is named after him and my brother. What bothers me most about his death is that I had bought him a nice book of poems about fathers and some other things I had picked up in Germany for his birthday. I was working the road in twelve hour shifts and didn't get a chance to mail them in time. The book still sets in my cedar chest today. Hopefully, I can give it to him someday. ETA: I finally broke 1000 posts. |
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My father just died last Saturday night. (eight days ago) We had a good relationship. I did as he asked me, and that was enough to make him happy. There are no regrets. Do not forget that time passes so make the best of the time you have with your father. If he should die tomorrow, make sure that you have no regrets about your relationship with him as of today. Above all, your dad wants you to do as he asks you to, when he asks you, how he asks you, and happily, or at least without complaint. After that, bring no dishonor or disrespect to the family. Do those things and your relationship will be pretty good. CJ |
I haven't seen or heard from mine in about 12 years. Walked away from me and 3 great grandkids and hasn't looked back. I guess the really ironic part is that he doesn't realize that he is the one that taught me more than anything or anybody about how to be a "Dad". Simple...don't be like him. Just life, I guess. 
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I'm pretty shocked by some of the responses. Sorry about your loss. I lost my dad in 1993, but I still think about him quite a bit. |
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My dad and I watched The Quiet Man last night. It brought back some very happy memories. We have always been very good friends. Sometimes when I was younger, he would annoy the hell out of me. But I always realized that he truly loved me. Whenever he punished me I could tell it hurt him to do it. He got me into shooting and we go together as much as we can. I am truly grateful to have someone like him. |
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Dad's 79. I'm 53 & still call home to talk with him & Mom on a weekly basis. Today we discussed their wills, their estate (modest but comfortable for them) & how things may be left to the three of us 'kids'. Can't imagine life without them but we all realize the above discussion was long overdue. Dad said they just want to make their eventual passing less difficult for those they leave behind. He will be sorely missed but for now, I'm quite blessed to have him (and Mom) still around. I can't imagine having gone this far through life without either of them. |
You should go over anyway. |
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I lost my dad almost three years ago. He lived life to the fullest. He died performing an aerobatics routine at a local airshow. I could never express how much I miss him or how much he taught me about life. Mainly because I'm still learning from him. He is on the left, to his right is Bobby Younkin and Guy "Doc" Baldwin. Sadly they are all gone.  All three died performing at airshows. 
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I got a call from my mom in early november last year that my Dad was having chest pains. He wouldnt go to the doctor and didnt want me to know about it. I went over there that sunday and he implied that he wasnt going to make it. He told me what to do with all of his possessions and that I'd have to finish the toy box he started making for my daughter's first Christmas. I tried to convince him to go the hospital with no luck. I finally got him to promise to go in the next day. I said my goodbye and drove home. It was the longest 45 mile drive ever. I was convinced that it was my last time seeing him alive. I nervously waited for the call from my mom that night. She finally called around 7:40 and said they were at the hospital and to get there right away because it wasn't looking good. My dad had waited till the end of the Vikings game and said he was ready to go in, so my mom drove him to the local hospital. They gave him one look and decided to rush him by ambulance to a larger hospital that was better equipped. He flat lined twice on the way and had to be shocked back. He had 99% blockage and needed 5 stents. Surprisingly there was no serious damage to the heart. He was released after 4 days. The first thing he did after getting home was to light up a cigarette He has no plans of quitting, but he did change his diet drastically and bought a treadmill. He's never been overweight and is always active and is only 53.He's been having some pains again lately and is going in tomorrow for an exam. My mom said it was my visit that changed his mind about going in. I'm thankful for that. Hopefully he'll be around long enough to see his only grandchild to grow up. |
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I miss my dad. It's been 16 years. I had just turned 24 and I thought I knew everything at the time of his passing. I realize every day just how smart my dad was. I also realize what an incredible MAN he was as well. I wish I could tell him how much I love him and how great of a role model he was for me. |
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He's my best friend and has been my role model for much of my life. He worked his ass off for his family, to give us a better life than he'd had growing up. I am lucky in that he lives only a few miles away; he was over for dinner tonight. He's slowing down, and it is not easy to watch. People talk about their ages, or their kids getting older -- but for me, nothing comes close to seeing my father age. One day he's not going to be there, and that's really going to be hard. |
My Dad is still kicking, a WW2 veteran pilot of the Army Air Corp. Combat and test pilot, flew about every aircraft we had aside from Navy versions at the time and a few German planes also after the war. Gave up the Full Bird and command of one of our first to be jet fighter squadrons to raise 15 kids! Yes, we are Catholic! LOL
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Lost mine back in '91. Never even had a chance to retire, and enjoy life during his golden years. He wasn't an affectionate man, by any means, but he said more by his actions, than his words. Funny that I should find this thread today. Earlier, I was thinking about how he used to maintain the ball fields at one of the city parks where he used to work at. He did such a good job, that other baseball leagues/towns would ask him to come do the fields for their games. When I was very young, I'm told he was even offered a job to keep up the grounds at Fenway Park. If he hadn't been a widower with four kids to raise, I wonder if he would have taken the offer? I stopped by the park last year, just to reminisce, and the fields were absolutely terrible. Having learned from him the proper way to get a field ready, it almost hurt to see the field the way it was. I had even printed out this year's baseball schedule for the school today, thinking that maybe it's time to give them a real field to play on again. Might be time to put together the tools of the trade.
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My dad is the strongest person I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. He grew up poor but had enough charm to meet my mother who was a lot better off then he was. After he won her over in a drunken fight one night they decided to get together. His only goal in life is to take care of his family. He raised three wonderful boys and got his only wish at the time, me. People say that you couldnt even describe the look on his face when I was born and he finally had his little girl. He has since raised us to be the best we can. He was one of those guys who could scold you with just a look. He rarely had to discipline his children but he did it when needed. Sitting around a campfire with one of my brothers one night we got to talking about dad. My brother said something that hit me so hard. He said yeah we love mom to death but dad was the one to show affection. He was the last one we saw at night the first we saw in the morning. I got to thinking about this and sure enough I remember kissing my dad before going to sleep every night. He rubbed my back till I fell asleep. He would carry me to my bed when I feel asleep up until I was 10 years old. Tucked me in and said good night. He woke me up in the morning after already being awake for 3 hours enjoying his fourth cup of coffee. Right now my dad is the definition of strength. He is now taking care of my mother who is fighting a down hill battle with cancer. He keeps a happy face for the kids and tries to tell us its all okay. I have always had a close relationship with my dad and will never forget the day he told me mom had cancer and broke down over the phone. He cried so hard I almost felt guilty to cry. Like he needed this chance to let it out. He hasnt since cried like that but just pushed forward through all the doctor visits, chemo, surgery, radiation, and very bad news. He will out live his younger wife and has already out lived his parents and one brother. I hope his strength resides in me and my brothers when it comes time to take care of him after he is alone. I love my father and will always be daddies little girl. |