It’s hard to believe it’s been two years since I lost my dad. Some days it seems like it was forever ago, but other days it seems like just yesterday. We all deal with grief differently, and I choose to deal with mine in the same way Dad taught me to deal with everything else in life – positively and with a sense of humor.
Please don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing funny about losing a parent; however, from early on, I tried not to dwell on my sadness, but remember the happy times. I chose to celebrate my dad’s life, and remember him for the amazing man that he was, and I’ve also chosen to remember all the valuable lessons he taught me along the way…..
Dad taught me that no matter what, family is everything.
Dad taught me to shake hands with a good firm grip, and look the other person in the eye.
Dad taught me to always respect my elders.
Dad taught me not to be afraid of bugs or spiders.
Dad taught me that we only have one body and to respect it, and make it as strong as possible.
Dad taught me to work hard, and be proud of my efforts.
Dad taught me that desserts are always better if they’re made with chocolate.
Dad taught me that the glass is always half-full.
Dad taught me that there’s a world out there just waiting to be explored – on the pages of a good book.
Dad taught me not to be afraid of the dark.
Dad taught me that no matter what, not to give up on our Hokies’ football team.
Dad taught me to appreciate a good corny joke.
Dad taught me to manage my money well and save for the future.
Dad taught me to always try my hardest, always!
Dad taught me how to ride a motorcycle fast and without a care in the world.
Dad taught me how to figure out trick questions and riddles.
Dad taught me to live life with no regrets…..
- Questions:
- What has your dad taught you?
- Are you lucky enough to still have your dad? If so, when did you see him last?
- What your funniest story about you and your dad?
Awww-i am so sorry for your loss Deb. I can’t begin to imagine.
What great lessons your dad taught you! I totally love this one: ‘ Dad taught me that desserts are always better if they’re made with chocolate.’ Genious!!!
I actually am blessed to have 2 dad’s (one birth and another who married my mom [we don’t use the ‘step’ word]
I saw my birth dad 2 weeks ago when I was in NYC for the Brooklyn Half and I see my other dad everyday when he drops off my son from school. We celebrated his 67th bday this past Friday also.
Funniest story: (both are from my adulthood):
Birth father- when I found out I was pregnant, I called to let him know he was going to be a grand father. He corrected me and told me ‘no you are having a child’. Well excuse me! When I went into labor, I called to let him know I was heading to the hospital….do you know he made it from Brooklyn to MD in 3 hrs ‘so he could see hin grandchild’ be born. He has taking over the grandparent role like a champ.
2 father- when I went into labor with my daughter, he wanted to be right there front and center in the birthing room!! Funniest moment when the Dr. Was positioning herself for the delivery my dad said tho her ‘can you move over some, I can’t see with you right there!’. I was cracking up during my delivery.
Gotta love them!
Thank you so much, Tamieka! I love your stories about your dads…
Deb it’s great that you have so many positive memories of you and your dad. Remembering the lessons and the funny stories is a great way to honor him and yes use your grief positively
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Your dad sounds like a very wise man.
Yes, my Dad is still with me: he’ll be 90 in March, God willing. I saw my parents just a couple of weeks ago — the weekend before my half — but at the moment I probably won’t see them again until Thanksgiving.
It gets a lot harder to see them as winter sets in & the snow starts flying (in fact, we saw a little snow just this weekend).
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It’s the same with me – being harder to get to see my mom in the winter.
Wow, you’ve already seen a little snow! It’s just around the corner here, too, I guess.
Your dad sounds like a wonderful person.
My dad sounds a lot like your dad, except the chocolate would have been replaced by peanut butter, and he would never ride a motor cycle ! I wrote this post on Father’s day in 2014 : http://frenchinspirationblog.com/life-lessons-learned-from-my-dad/ and life lessons he fought me.
I consider myself lucky that I still have my dad, even if we only see each other a couple times a year because I live overseas.
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Of course that should say taught me !
Karen – Fit in France recently posted…Meatless Monday : Quiche
Peanut butter was a close second to chocolate for my dad. 🙂
Thanks for sharing your Father’s Day post. I enjoyed reading it!
Oh, this is so wonderful. I lost my Dad a few years ago and it’s gotten easier and harder in different ways. He was definitely one for corny jokes. Thanks for sharing some of your Dad’s lessons.
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I’m sorry for your loss. I lost my mom two years ago, and I feel the same way- some days it feels like forever and other days it feels like it just happened. I think it’s great that you’re able to have a sense of humor. I’m sure your dad is smiling along side you 🙂 You can never go wrong with positivity.
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Thanks for your kind words, Danielle. I’m sorry for your loss as well…
As you know, my dad and I are extremely close and I cannot imagine what it would be like to lose him. As you also know, our family has been going through a hard time this year having very suddenly lost Sara in March. It is something we are still working through, and I’m sure it will be that way for quite a long time. Some days I still feel like it can’t be real and other days I am very sad about it. I do think about her every single day. In dealing with my own grief I try and take the same approach as you, remembering good things and happy things. But at this point, a lot of that is tainted with anger and not being able to understand why her life was cut so short. I still just can’t quite wrap my head around it.
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A parent should never have to lose a child. I can comfort myself by the fact that I’d had my dad for 55 years. Sara’s parents only had her for about half that time. That is heartbreaking.