Tags
courage, Dad, Diana Schwenk, family, fathers-day, health, Hump Day Chronicles, love, memories, parents, Relationships
AS FATHER’S DAY APPROACHES my thoughts center on Dad.
Dad – the man whose feet I stood on as a little girl when we danced.
The man who brought me to watch as the dentist worked on his teeth because I was afraid. He wanted to show me there was no reason to be afraid.
And when I finally allowed the dentist to give me a needle, Dad – the man who took me out for a rare glass of Coke so he could watch me suck it up through the straw and dribble it out of my frozen mouth.
The only man I truly trusted as a child to tend to my scrapes and cuts when I got hurt.
Like the time I dove into the lake and cut my right hand between the index finger and ring finger on a sharp rock. Oh how it bled and terrified me to see one of my little hand bones exposed.
But Dr. Schwenk came to the rescue, binding my fingers tightly together with gauze in the hopes that he might spare me a doctor’s visit and possible stitches.
I looked at my scar today Dad, before I sat down to write this post; it reminds me of how safe you made me feel as a child.
I thought you were the handsomest, coolest Dad ever. In many ways you were my hero and still are.
It makes me laugh to think about how many years of ties, slippers and house-coats you endured as gifts.
Well those years are gone, even though they live on in my memories.
We’re all much older now.
It seems so unfair that now it is you who suffers with pain caused by Osteoarthritis and the fusing of four of your vertebrae. You of all people who worked so hard to provide for your family and made us feel so safe.
I hate that you’re in pain.
I hate that you can barely walk or sit up because of pain.
I hate how it messes with yours and Mom’s plans of what retirement would look like.
I hate that it prevents you from connecting with your social network.
I wish I had your ability to be Dr. Schwenk so that I could return the favour and make you all better, because more than anything, that is the gift I wish I could give you this year for Father’s Day. ❤
~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~
Happy Father’s Day Dad
Don’t give up. You’re a fighter. We’ll figure this thing out.
With love, Diana
stuffitellmysister said:
Wonderful…..♥
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dianasschwenk said:
Thank you my dear! ❤
Diana xo
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stuffitellmysister said:
♥♡♥
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Sheryl said:
What a lovely tribute to your father! . . .and the picture is great. You were adorable.
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dianasschwenk said:
thanks Sheryl – I always thought I was a bit of an odd duck. 🙂 My brother though, what a cutie, eh?
Diana xo
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joannerambling said:
This was such a touching post,
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Jo-Anne. I’m just really not liking that he has pain.
Diana xo
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elizabeth2560 said:
What a blessing that you had such wonderful memories of your Dad from your childhood.
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dianasschwenk said:
Yes it is Elizabeth -thank you. 🙂
Diana xo
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Eric Alagan said:
This is so beautiful and yet, tinged with some sadness.
Lovely post, Diana – lucky daddy’s girl, lucky Dad 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
Thank you Eric, I’m the one who is lucky!
Diana xo
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rachelcarrera said:
Aww, what a sweet post and I love the photo! ❤
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Rachel! ❤
Diana xo
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rachelcarrera said:
😀
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Don said:
Beautiful post Diana.
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dianasschwenk said:
Thank you Don. 🙂 !
Diana xo
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markbialczak said:
I thank you for sharing your cherished memories of what your dad meant to you growing up, and what he means to you still now, Diana. Happy Father’s Day, Dr. Schwenk! You have given the world a lovely daughter. That is a gift every day for you, I am sure, as a father who appreciates that same eye-opening realization daily in my life.
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dianasschwenk said:
Thank you Mark for your beautiful words. ❤
Diana xo
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bulldog said:
This is so heart felt .. it brings tears to my eyes… there is nothing so great for a father, than to feel the love his daughter has for him…
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dianasschwenk said:
That makes me smile bulldog, you’re a dad so I’ll take your word for it and treasure it in my heart. Thank you.
Diana xo
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bulldog said:
I have two daughters Diana… you can take my word for it…
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Deb Weyrich-Cody said:
Oh Diana, from one Daddy’s Girl to another, how I feel your pain. Mine is gone now, so give yours a hug for me, will you? Love and best wishes for you and your family, Deb.
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dianasschwenk said:
So sorry for your loss Deb. HUGS to you. ❤
Diana xo
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Jennifer's Journal said:
Poignant writing, Diana. I can identify with so much of this, as I’m sure many can. The hardest experiences of my life have been prematurely losing my parents to illness and death.
I remember having a Freddy too! Sweet photo. XO
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dianasschwenk said:
Hugs to you Jennifer, I know how much you miss your parents ❤
What a happy coincidence that we named our bears the same name. 🙂
Diana xo
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Jennifer's Journal said:
I should have stated that more clearly. I had a bear that looked exactly like yours, but I can’t remember his name. Might have been Freddy! 😀
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dianasschwenk said:
…what a happy coincidence that our bears looked the same… hehehe
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Drjcwash said:
A beautiful tribute to your father. It is frustrating to see parents, friends and colleagues start to age. I was at the hospital last week teaching residents. I sat eating lunch in the physician lounge and listened to one of the surgeons talk about his recent vacation. I realized at that moment that it has been 24 years since I graduated from residency. We were all aging but still enjoying our work.
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dianasschwenk said:
That’s so good to hear. It reminds me that the only time we truly have is right now, so may as well live it with joy, right?
Diana xo
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billgncs said:
you honor him by being you 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
(smiling) Thank you Bill! 🙂
Diana xo
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cyclingrandma said:
Lovely tribute and so true. While we’re blessed with the longevity of our parents, it’s so hard to watch how age ravages the body and mind. I find it so sad to watch the deterioration and the frustration they feel when they can’t do as much as they’re used to. I try to get them to focus on what they can still do.
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dianasschwenk said:
Yes. We’re blessed to still have our parents Lisa. Apparently, once my dad’s vertebrae are fused, the pain will be gone and he’ll be stiff but mobile. We all wait, at some level, for this. Thanks for stopping by my friend. ❤
Diana xo
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Val Boyko said:
Sending you a viral hug Diana xo
This is so loving and so difficult for you and the family.
Thank you so much for taking me to the memories of my Dad when I was little.
Your Daddy is lucky to have you as his little girl!
Val
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dianasschwenk said:
Thank you so much for your kindness and warmth Val ❤
Diana xo
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Ian Munro @ leadingessentially.com said:
What a beautiful gift YOU are Diana. Thanks for sharing this.
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Ian and you’re welcome!
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John Buller said:
Nice!
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks John. Can you tell I was Daddy’s little girl?
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