Father's Day and the Memories I Hold Steadfast in My Heart

Sally

What a wonderful tribute to your father.  Today is my first father's day without my daddy.  I was able to spend some time at his gravesite with my mother, siblings, husband and daughter.  He like your father know we will never forget them and they will always have a place in our hearts.

My best to you,

Sally, This tribute brought tears to my eyes.  As I read it and watched the slide show, I began to miss my father deeply.  He must be SO very proud of you.

I especially like your statement: "Father's Day is a day to pay tribute to your father (dad or pop), stepfather, your mom (brothers or sisters) who play the part of dad too or anyone who has made a significant impact on you enough so you call them 'dad'."

I find that to be dead on, in my case.  My birth father left before I was born, so I was raised by a wonderful step father.  He passed about 20 years ago. My mother remarried and I loved my 2nd step father, as much as my first.  Both were amazing men and loved me as their own.  My Dad (2nd stepfather) passed away 2 years ago and I still miss him, both fathers. 

You don't have to have the same blood to love someone.  I know, from experience....lots of it :) 

Great post Sally.  I'll be thinking of you today.

Sally your Dad was a smart man giving you that advice.  We want to be remembered by our children, but want them to be happy memories.

Sally...

A wonderful tribute to your father on this special day. I lost my dad to lung cancer too, and it's hard for me to believe that he's been gone 14 years.

It's great that you had a good relationship with your dad. And congrats on still going strong at quitting smoking! =D

I'm sure on days like these the memories must truly flood back. I am lucky enough to have a Father and a Step Father who are both still around and have both been good for me. I am very thankful for this.

Sally, the first post I read of yours was a tribute to your dad. Really beautiful post.

Sally..I quit smoking after my Dad died..went back to smoking..quit again its been 5 years smoke free.. You never stop missing your dad no matter how long it is..

HelpfulHannah

Sally, this is such a lovely tribute to your dad.  What a handsome man and it's so clear how much you loved him.  I'm sorry this is a hard day for you.  xxoo

Hi Sally - I thought a lot about my dad today too.  I really miss him.  Lost him just after Fathers' Day 2002.  We spent Fathers' Day weekend with him, flew home and the next day I called him and he sounded weak.  I convinced him to call my uncle to take him to the doctor, and I flew back up and found out he'd had a heart attack.  He died a couple of days later. 

He was a wonderful man, and I think he just never got over his broken heart when my mother died a few years earlier, then my sister died in 2001.  That left just my dad and me, and Dad insisted on living alone, but I know he was lonely.  I called him every day and we talked for about 45 minutes, and I miss those calls a lot.

Your father must have been a very special guy too, and I can imagine you miss him as much as I miss mine.

Sally, I know the feeling.  My dad died of lung cancer in 1987.  He and I were both too young.  I miss my dad terribly and sometimes still cry for him.  Dads are the best sounding post as we get older.

I hope you had a nice day.

Sally,

Very touching! There is a bond between a father and daughter just as there is between a mother and son...this bond cannot be forgotten...especially as quickly as death occurs and provides separation...! The memories and fond moments provide somewhat of a bridge...!!! Thanks,   Fran

Sally, What a beautiful tribute.  I read one or two Father's Day posts yesterday and couldn't even stay on AR....I too miss my father SO much.

Sally  - A wonderful tribute. What can I say... I am sad thinking about my dad as well... He passed many years ago and I feel like I never got to ask him as many questions as I had wanted too before he was gone.