August 5th. Today is my late father's birthday; he would have been 111 years old.
I never thanked him for all his wisdom and generosity, nor did I show much gratitude for his choice of schooling for me; although I did appreciate it more than he could have ever known.
I hope I behaved in a way that caused him no upsets, and I hope that he was reasonably OK with my career choices; I know he approved of my business acumen.
He must have been quite relieved that I was never in trouble with the police, never joined a biker gang, and didn't cover myself with inkings of naked ladies. He would not have appreciated a wayward son.
So, here's a belated 'Thank You'; I should have said this to you before, but when you were alive it never seemed necessary.
He looks more like his brother in that photo. I wished him a Happy Birthday first thing this morning as always.
ReplyDeleteThe picture's been slightly nibbled by some tiny insect I'm afraid.
DeleteWhat a lovely post for your dad.
ReplyDeleteThat's how it was done in those days; feelings were not openly expressed but we knew we were loved and vice versa.
Greetings Maria x
I make sure my three children know they are loved; and as often as possible.
DeleteWas there a box of photographs hidden away? You have posted several that I have never seen.
ReplyDeleteI have a small school days photo of the two of them, wearing their stiff Eton collars, and looking very smart. Unfortunately I can't find it, maybe it's in Brighton. I don't have many others.
Deletebetter late than never
ReplyDeleteI suppose so.
DeleteToo late for my parents but it occurs to me that I am still in time for my husband and I to talk and act quality time before old age and it's problems become more apparent.
ReplyDeleteWe should all take the opportunities when they arrive.
DeleteI think that we all wish we could have said more to our parents and then, it's too late..... but, I'm sure that your Dad knew.... if it wasn't necessary to say when he was alive then all is happy and good.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Cro's Dad. XXXX
Maybe, but I still feel a little guilty.
DeleteThrough various reasons, mostly to do with things that happened just before and after I was born, my Dad always ignored me although he was friendlier to my brothers. I did try to be a good daughter to him, but could never break through the wall he put up between him and me. I miss not having a father who was warm and loving. I am sad that he never really knew who I was. When he died I could only feel relief that I would not have to keep on trying to make him love me!
ReplyDeleteThat's a very sad tale Vera. I was very lucky in having the parents I did; they were better than OK.
DeleteNice. My father was quiet and rarely spoke. We used to operate as a team on the farm when I would be mate at his side through all sorts of farm jobs. We communicated perfectly without words I often wish I had said more to him though.
ReplyDeleteI was away at school a lot, then I was away in London, then I moved to France, etc.
DeleteWe always told my mom how much she meant to us, but were remis when it came to our dad. It was only when he died that we realized what a good and wonderful man he was. I feel guilty about that.
ReplyDeleteAs do I with my father.
DeleteI feel that same about both my parents Cro and yet they belonged to that generation that were embarrassed by such shows of affection. But I always wish I had told them how much they meant to me. I just hope they were proud of me.
ReplyDeleteI'm very proud of my three children, and they know it. My father would never have admitted to such. Different times.
DeleteMy father was of your generation, Cro. I think he took on the mantle of how to parent from his parents, roughly, in that we never knew how he felt about our achievements, or otherwise. It was only after he died that I found out from my uncle how proud Dad was of me. It's good to tell our loved ones how we feel before the opportunity passes!
ReplyDelete