On Father’s Day and other special holidays and occasions, you turn inward and think of singular rites of passage; the secret memories you rarely speak of. Speaking for myself, the feelings on these types of holidays trigger specific memories of the heart. Secret memories are not restricted by the passage of time because they are a part of what touched, taught, moved, warmed, or influenced us. Father’s Day arouses these personal emotions and memories.

Taking the time to tell factual family stories to our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren is very important. The children who are knowledgeable about their heritage have a chest filled with treasured memories that provide them with a strong sense of family roots.

A Gentleman and a Gentle Man

I am beyond blessed and will always be grateful to my father. My father was a very noble man. He was decent and he was reputable. As well, he was a kind, generous, and loving dad and grandfather. He was calm, cool, and collected and he ‘always’ took the high road. No, he was not a saint, but close to it. My mother somehow had the wisdom at the age of 18 to marry my father; making my brother, me, and our children the beneficiaries of a special father and grandfather. Above all, he was a worthy role model. He was a good listener and the best advisor. He was kind and the type of man you miss and never stop needing.

Speak No Evil, Hear No Evil, See No Evil

The three monkeys relay a magnanimous life message through their artistic symbolism. They convey the message: Speak no evil. Hear no evil. See no evil. The monkey’s message depicted my father’s character. Naturally, my father heard evil and saw evil over the 96 years of his life, but he had a strong compass and I never heard him speak evil.

Now, I am not putting my father on a pedestal to make him someone he was not. For all those who knew this wonderful father of mine, I know for a fact, they would echo my words.

My Father Always Took The High Road

To take the high road is not always easy. It means to do the right thing when it is difficult. If someone wrongs you, you can take the low road and seek revenge. Or, you can take the high road and forgive them, ignore them, and not let it worry you. My father always took the high road.

How fortunate my brother, myself, and our families are to have had such a strong role model. We all feel we were born under a lucky star to have a man whose character and actions left such a positive and lasting impression. So, darling, I count my blessings because I have my dad’s teachings in my head.

My Last Memory of My Father

A lasting visual memory of my father was the expression on his face when I stopped by my parent’s condo for a visit. When my dad, suffering from dementia, saw me enter the den, his blue eyes lit up with such joy and he was smiling. I felt he had gone back in time to when I was a little girl and all the love he felt for me from that time until that day filled his cup with joy. Now, I carry that picture of my dad along with all my father-daughter memories in my head.

I need my father more than ever and so do my children and my grandchildren. However, I do count my blessings that I have my mom, my Ultimate Concierge, my large blended family, my pooch America, and wonderful people outside my family, and my father’s messages in my head, forever.

Pass On Your Stories

On Father’s Day and other days, if you are able to spend time with your grandchildren, wouldn’t it be nice to tell them stories about their grandfather and other family stories if he passed away or lives far away? I feel grandchildren would love those stories, so please, tell them.

Darling, our children, and many grandchildren were fortunate to know ‘this father of mine.’ His wisdom is missed…and needed.

Happy Father’s Day to all.

Tell Me Your Stories

Please share with me your favorite memories of the important men in your life in the comments at the bottom of this page. I would love to know more about them and all of their stories.

If you are looking for a way to keep a record of your stories for your own grandchildren, consider giving yourself, and them, the gift of my journal, Stories for my Grandchild. It will help you take your memories from your head, and put them on a page for all to see and hear. Sending all of you much love!