What do I do today? I'm lost......
Father's Day was always a special day for us....a day to spend some extra time together, just the two of us. I knew my Dad so well....I knew what made him happy, what made him angry and what made him sad. I would do anything to put a smile on his face.
He was so incredibly loving and generous....he would do anything for me. I remember coming home from university.....he would have the fridge stocked with my favourite chocolate eclairs that he made himself at the bakery. Or a delicious black forest cake filled with booze...sometimes so much that we could barely eat it! And when I was looking for a new dress for Christmas one year, I couldn't decide between 2 dresses. So I took them home so Dad could help decide. I tried them both on and modelled them for him. He asked which one I liked best? I liked them both so I needed him to decide for me. "Well, get them both then!" was his answer. Nothing gave him greater joy than making me happy.
But it wasn't the gifts and the delicious treats that he baked that made me happiest. It was walking downtown on a cold winter day, holding Daddy's hand because his hands were always warm. It was working on a project together, like when we rebuilt my kitchen. It was the day I got married and leaned over to give him a kiss and saw the love in his eyes. It was the time that we spent together, just chatting. Our conversations generally involved Denmark and his childhood growing up there. He didn't have a happy childhood himself, but he did everything in his power to give me the best childhood. And it really was the best. I was an only child and had him all to myself. I was spoiled with many things, but I always remember how proud my dad was of me. When I did well in school, I could see the love and pride in his eyes. I worked hard to make him proud of me. My decisions throughout life often brought up the question..."What would Dad tell me to do?" Most of all, he just wanted me to be happy.
I have over 53 years of memories with my Dad.....it still wasn't long enough. For the last year of his life, he wasn't always sure who I was. After visiting, he would say to my mom "She's such a nice lady". And during those visits, it was my turn to make him happy. I would listen to the stories that I had heard a millions times before, answer the same question over and over....anything to help him feel happy and loved. Our roles had reversed. I hope I gave him the same happiness that he gave me.
Happy Father's Day....today and always Daddy.......I love you.....
