Doc, J and R - Basketball practice
My husband R is a great dad to our son and he has always spent a lot of quality time with J. Together they do many special "father and son" things. While this past year has been tough (with respect to "time" due to the house building project), R still makes sure he is available to do things with J at every opportunity. Every Friday night they would go skating, usually just the two of them, and R never missed any of J's recreational hockey Wednedsay night sessions. Even when R is dead tired from working (and he is an incredibly hard worker), he still takes the time to play games with J at night, or read him a story, or make special ice cream concoctions, or just cuddle with J and watch an entire kid's movie. R is very patient with our son, and gives him "big kid" jobs around the construction site whenever he can. If R is in town, he is always out cheering J on at his basketball or baseball games - and before he leaves town, he always gives J the big "father and son" chat and reminds J that he has to take care of me, and be the man of the house while he's away. And, even in his longer out-of-town stints, R is sure to call home daily and ask J how his day has been. J just adores his dad - and naturally wants to do all the things his father does. I remember one of my friends asking J who his favorite hockey player was, and J said, "my DAD!". We just laughed - and it was not long after that when J decided he wanted to be a hockey player too!
R also grew up with a great father, and like J, he wanted to do the things his father did as well. From an early age, R would help his dad on his big construction projects, go on fishing and hunting (camping) trips with him, watch and play sports. R's dad coached him in hockey - and for a while, they even played on the same hockey team. R is still very close to his dad - he consults him about our building project - and his dad (and mom) are happy to come down to help us whenever they can.
My own dad is, in my opinion, the best dad I could have asked for! He has taught me so much about life, about work and working hard (I worked with him in his dental practice for over 20 years), about education, about families, people, about having a sense of humor, about respect, and about enjoying the little things in life. He has always been there for us - and he's certainly still always there for us (and our kids now!). It is so heart-warming seeing the relationship between our child and his grandparents - I never did have a grandfather because both my dad's and my mom's fathers had passed away at very young ages. My dad will be turning 77 this year - it's so hard to believe! He still is so young at heart! He still bikes, and golfs, and works hard around the property. When my dad turned 75, by youngest sister D had a surprise party for him - and I wrote this little poem:
Well Dad, you’ve hit this milestone,
A special day it is,
You’re celebrating 75,
Although no one would know it!
With three daughters you stood by
We knew you’d be always be there
You watched our sports, and coached our teams
There’s no doubt that you cared!
As we grew, you stayed involved
You shared in our successes
You helped us out - and guided us
Through all those teenage messes!
For many years I worked with you
you had a unique style!
I saw how patients worshiped you
Some travelling for miles.
Almost daily, I still hear
“ Your dad, he was the best “
Requests are plenty from them all
to start a backyard practice!
And though retired – you’re still so busy
with projects on the go
With all these women in your life
You never could say no!
You directed us to take the “high road”
And helped to pave our ways
Without your guidance and support
We’d not be here today.
The biggest thing that you had taught
Was how to treat all others
You’ve lived your life consistently,
showing kindness was what mattered.
The past few years have been just great
To watch you with our kids
You are a special granddad Doc
They treasure every minute.
So happy birthday dear ole Dad
We’re thrilled that we are here
To share with you this special day
and to many more great years!
Thank you Dad, we love you!
Here's to a very Happy Father's Day to all the great dads out there. I'd also like to honor and remember all of the wonderful dads who have passed away -- but still live so vividly in our great memories!
Nona & Doc (my parents)
Grandma & Pa (R's parents)
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