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Diana Schwenk, family, Father, fathers-day, growing up, Montreal
Happy Father’s Day to all the great Dads out there – especially mine.
I’ve written about my Dad before here.
But with Father’s Day just around the corner, I feel a need to dig around some more in my treasure chest of yesterdays and pull out a few more memories.
My Dad is a simple man. I don’t mean simple-minded, just simple in needs.
A hard-working man who spent decades working at Kraft Foods, Canada in Montreal, Quebec.
He was a good provider.
And although not immediately obvious when first meeting him; Dad has more than one side.
The Collector
Dad sold part of his precious stamp collection so that he could make a down payment on our first family home.
Dad collects everything including, but not limited to: stamps, coins, license plates, antiques, military and police uniforms and badges, pins and pretty much everything he’s ever owned – much to Mom’s dismay!
Shock Value
A quiet man…well most times. Dad likes to push people out of their comfort zones…well kinda. I think I inherited this from him but I will spare you the incriminating photos. 😉
There was the time I came down for breakfast and Dad was reading the paper and drinking his coffee just like he always does.
Only this particular morning he was doing so in his underwear, undershirt, long-haired red wig and cowboy hat!
I stood there, mouth open, staring.
He looked at me, with a hint of a smirk pulling on the corners of his mouth, over his glasses and said, “What?”
Another time during one of the most powerful thunderstorms I’d ever witnessed, Dad went outside with an umbrella and watered the lawn.
I can’t even find words to describe the looks we got from neighbours!
The Cure for Everything
Most of you have probably seen ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding’ where the father’s cure for everything is Windex, right?
Well in our household, whether you had acne, sprained your ankle, got a painful sunburn, cut yourself shaving, had a cold sore, toothache, stomach-ache, earache, cramps in your leg, the hiccups, a bad cough, a runny nose, growing pains, a mole, a wart, a fat lip, a black eye, Chicken Pox, Tonsillitis, ingrown toenail, hang nail – you name it – there was only one sure cure.
He’d look at you and simply say, “Put Nivea on it.”
Kindness and Generosity.
Dad has a kind and generous heart.
Dad always tips well and has a good rapport with all the waitresses in the restaurants he frequents.
Many of them have known him for decades and he gets invites to weddings and other special occasions all the time.
It’s not unusual for him to slip me or another family member a couple of bucks now and then.
When you tell him it’s not necessary, his brow knits together and he says, “Ach come on just take it.”
Years ago when my friend’s Dad passed away, he put his hand on her shoulder and said, “If you want, I can be your Dad from now on.”
He still asks about her now and then and inquires about how she’s doing.
Hopefully I’ve inherited a bit of this side of him as well.
I hope you have a great Father’s Day Dad.
And even though I can’t be with you in person, know that I’m thinking of you and smiling.
What is your favourite ‘DAD’ memory?
Related articles
- To My Dad – A Daughter’s Love Letter (300dayjourney.wordpress.com)
Thank you for including the funny side of your dad too, Diana. It made him more real to me, and the stories are FUNNY!
Russ
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Thanks for reading it Russ!
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He sounds like a sweet and wonderful man. Thank you for the warm post! Your birthday day photo photo is so funny haha 🙂
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(smiling) Thanks. Nobody’s perfect but I sure lucked out on the parent lottery! Haha I just remembered my Dad used to say, “Nobody’s perfect. Just call me Nobody.” 😉
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What a wonderful post celebrating the life of you father. A little moved actually. Really enjoyed reading that 🙂
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Yes. He’s something alright. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
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What a funny, happy guy! He has so much personality–I can see where you get it from:) Your parents look like such a happy couple! Loved your tribute!
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This is a lovely tribute to the man who is your father!! His character shines through your words. Happy Father’s Day to your Dad!
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Thank you. I will pass it on to him!
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Watering the lawn during the rain – that’s so funny.
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It was funny and fun! Good times!
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He reminds me of Dr. Seuss and his ability to capture of the silliness of life.
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I remember him always trying to get us to laugh…and I do that now too. I feel like I’ve done my duty when I can make someone giggle.
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You made me laugh today. I’m going to have the image of a man watering his garden in the rain for a long time. Thank you!
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