What Have You Learned From Your Dad?

My dad is celebrating his birthday today. If you ask he will either say “I stopped counting birthdays” or “I’m 29 again”.  Which makes me smile.  Because I am almost 49.  Hmmmmm. (smile)

When I think of my dad, I think about this strong man who has the ability to make everyone laugh.  I’ve always said “a cross between David Letterman and Clint Eastwood.”

He will have everyone in the room laughing, but don’t you dare cross him.

I’m so very lucky to have him as my dad.

When we were kids, I will never forget the bike rides together.  Always a fun adventure.  The camping.  Family trips.  Washing his car in the driveway.  Trips to the dairy for ice cream floats and Pop Shoppe pop.

I remember always being so curious as to how he fixed things.  Watching him work on the cars in the driveway or garage.  Wondering how he got so smart.

My dad seemed to know EVERYTHING.

My dad always made sure I had a quarter in my pocket to call home when I went out with friends and always was there to pick me up and get me home.

He worked hard.

He loved my mom and he loved his kids. There was never a doubt.

He had a hard time with my fashion “Phases”.  Like the all black in high school – “girls don’t wear black”.  To teaching me to tie a tie when ties were “cool” in grade eight.

We got through some really hard stuff – losing my mom, brother and sister in July 1990.  Losing his bladder to cancer in 2006.  14 years later – he is a survivor. So thankful.

We’ve been though some really great times.  He remarried a wonderful amazing lady – my second mom.  My wedding.  Three grandkids.

My dad has always been there when needed.  When I drove my car into a ditch close to his house.  When I had my first big car accident, he helped me get the courage to talk with the police officer.  It was so soon after our own family accident, I still needed the strength of my daddy to help me through. He’s made sure I had food on the table and that I was doing ok.

I love my dad.  I love that he spends his free time volunteering with the food bank and helping others by driving them to appointments or to get food.  He cares about his community and it’s inspiring.

My dad taught me about faith.  He taught me to persevere.  He taught me humour and the value of family.

The older I get the more I understand my dad and what he went through in his life.   I see him more now as a human and not just my super hero dad.  He has overcome and he is stronger for it.

There will be a visit this weekend and I can’t wait.

I always feel like a kid again when I go see him no matter how old I get.  I love sitting with him and talking about everything.  Drinking our coffee and sneaking some cookies.  Some things just never change.

Happy Birthday to my dad!  “Mr. B!”

You helped to shape me into who I am today.

Categorised in: Afternoons

This post was written by Carrie Buchanan