A father is the first man to love his daughter and to show her how she should expect be treated by men.
I’ve told you about my mom, brother and daughter, so it’s high time for me to write about my Dad.
I admit it. I was Daddy’s little girl. We could sit in the same room for hours without talking and know what the other was thinking. Just spending time with my Dad was special to me – what we did was irrelevant, I was just happy to be with him.
One of my earliest memories of my Dad was watching him shave. I would sit, on the edge of the tub, watching him – I was convinced he was the best looking, nicest man in the whole world. I adored him! A man who expressed his love, not so much in words, but in action. I don’t recall him ever saying sorry but I always knew when he was because he’d look my way and say, “c’mon,” with a tilt of his head and off we went to Dunkin Donuts. Ha! I remember him taking my brother and me there for pop when we’d been to the dentist, our mouths numb from the freezing, so he could watch the pop drool out of our mouths as fast as we were sucking it in through the straw. Once I cut my hand (between my middle and ring finger) on a sharp rock while diving into a lake and he doctored me up. Many other times the first aid kit came out and he’d say, “Let Dr. Heinz have a look.” I was afraid of doctors but I trusted my Dad. Many a night when he tucked me in I’d ask him if he would marry me. He always chuckled and said we’d see how I felt when I was older. Every Wednesday when he got paid, I’d find my favourite chocolate bar on the kitchen table where I sat. He did the same for my Mom and brother. He was the first man I ever danced with and when my feet wouldn’t follow, he let me stand on his.
As I got older, Dad would get many calls from me late at night, “Daddy, can you come pick me up?” He always came no matter where I was or what trouble I might have gotten myself into. When it came time for me to learn to drive, he took me out and patiently guided me through my fears. “Look where you want to go.” “Never drive faster than you’re comfortable with, just ignore that guy behind you, if he really needs to go faster, he’ll pass you.” “Speed up as you’re heading into that curve.” When I passed the learner’s test, he took me out for breakfast to celebrate. He hated MacDonald’s but knew I loved it.
When I moved out on my own and was short on cash, he’d loan me money. When I offered to pay him back, he’d always tell me to keep my money. Once I did manage to send him a cheque but he never cashed it. Dad has always been there for me, believing in me and loving me with his actions.
I learned a lot from Dad. He taught me about loyalty to family. He taught me to be strong. “Never let them see they’ve hurt you. ” He taught me how to protect myself with self-defence. He showed me, by example, the value of working hard. He taught me how to trust but also not to trust everyone. But I think the most valuable lesson he taught me was how I should expect to be treated by men. I am grateful my relationship with my Dad. Thanks Dad!
earthriderjudyberman said:
That’s a beautiful tribute to your Dad, Diana. Our Dads were hard acts to follow. They left big shoes to fill. Thanks for sharing your story. ❤
LikeLike
dianasschwenk said:
My pleasure Judy and I totally agree! ❤
Diana xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
elizabeth2560 said:
Oh, what a beautiful post. It made me wish that circumstances would have allowed him to be in my life.
LikeLike
dianasschwenk said:
Thank you! You would have liked your Dad to be in your life, Elizabeth? ❤
Diana xo
LikeLike
elizabeth2560 said:
Yes, very much so. Nevertheless, the happy memories remain.
LikeLiked by 1 person
mindfuldiary said:
Awww, I have tears in my eyes. What a wonderful Dad you have. 🙂
LikeLike
dianasschwenk said:
Yeah I thought he was pretty cool!
LikeLike
russtowne said:
Thank you for sharing such special moments and memories with us, Diana. It sounds like your dad is the kind of man I’d be proud to have as a friend.
Russ
LikeLike
dianasschwenk said:
Thank you. Both of my parents would be!
LikeLike
Pingback: Happy Father’s Day! « talktodiana
billgncs said:
may the honesty and joy in your life reflect his life lessons.
LikeLike
dianasschwenk said:
Thanks for those beautiful words!
LikeLike
Margot Schwenk said:
Hello Diana,
You have written such a wonderful and heart warmimg story about Dad.I just printed it out for Dad to read. I am very sure that he will be very touched by this beautiful statement of how much you love Dad. Like I alyways said you only have one Dad and Mom and we were trying to give you and your brother everything we had to offer.
We love you both very much!
Mom and Dad.
oooooooo
xxxxxxxxxxx
LikeLike
Louise G. said:
What a beautiful tribute to a beautiful man.
LikeLike
dianasschwenk said:
Thank you. 🙂
LikeLike