This week, we say thank you to the fathers in our lives.
That can be the man who helped bring you into this life, or a grandfather who has always lent a helping hand, or any men in our lives who have helped to make us better people.
Without a doubt, I have always been a bit of a daddy’s girl, but it was help from both of my parents who made me the person I am today.
I have been blessed enough to have my dad in my life, and have many wonderful memories of him from growing up.
When I was young, he’d play his 12-string guitar on afternoons and evenings at home, or around the campfire when we’d go visiting my parent’s friends. Old songs come on the radio, and I’m always brought back to that time, seeing my dad so carefree and jovial, playing the guitar.
My dad was always messing with me. I truly believed he travelled uphill both ways to school. He embarrassed me and my younger sister on many occasions by filling us with false information. But, we believed him, because we were naive and never thought he would make fools of us.
Of course, I’ve grown up since then, and have learned a great many things, and have learned truths about many of the insane stories he tried to make me believe. I still know one thing for sure: the world was in black and white before they invented colour.
And even though he mislead me a few times with his terrible sense of humour, he taught me a lot of things along the way.
We had some showy lady’s slippers in our yard, and he taught me about those. And poison ivy. I learned quickly that nature could be beautiful and cruel at the same time, a lot like life in general.
I learned to be tough and I learned that it was OK to cry, all through watching my parents.
I did a lot of dumb things as a teenager and caused a pretty good ruckus. Even though both parents could have been mad at me for the rest of my life for some of the things I have wrecked and my actions, they taught me forgiveness.
When I decided to pursue my career in journalism and move out West as a teenager, they supported me. Since then, I have been reaching new goals and living life to its fullest. I have seen my dad over the years go from having nearly nothing, to owning a beautiful home and working a successful job, and living where he loves.
We learn lessons from the men in our lives. Whether we decide to follow in their footsteps, or learn from their actions to take a different path. The impact fathers have on our lives is unsurmountable.
So, happy fathers day to all the dads out there. That can be your dad, someone else’s dad, someone who has been in your life for a long time, a short time, a man who has helped you in some way… whoever it may be.
