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SDC Members Celebrate Father's Day
Last week, on the SDC Rewards forum, we held a competition where Rewards members shared a treasured memory of a father (their own, their partner, a friend, etc.).
Here are the beautiful replies:
Member @RFG: ‘My Dad always "did things his way". At his funeral, after the initial church service, when it was time to take him to the cemetery...the hearse would not start, and we were held up at the church until a replacement hearse could be provided. Even in death, he was not quite ready to say goodbye & he still "did it his way". R.I.P. DAD. The funeral home said with over 40 years in the business, that has never happened before.’
Member @gayle222: ‘My Dad wasn’t the best of Dads, he did things his way, whenever he wanted and when he wanted. He really wasn’t that good with responsibility. At the end of the day, he was my Dad, and I was always his baby daughter, regardless of my age. Three weeks before he passed from dementia and heart failure, he was in hospital. I was with him, and I knew his heels were hurting in bed, so I suggested to him I put a pillow under his legs so it lifted his heels off the bed, As I was doing it, Dad said, “You know what I think?”
“What do you think, Dad?”
“I think you love me.”
My response was, “I think you could be right.”
I cherish that moment and the fact he knew who I was right up to his passing. Forever your baby daughter Dad RIP.’
Member @kcd123: ‘My Dad was always a very present figure throughout my life. Even when I made a huge mistake in my life, he surrounded me with his love and support. He was my superhero and never let me down. He was a gentleman who loved life. He represented Queensland in darts, and we often enjoyed a game of golf together. Parkinson's Disease robbed us of his later years, but we were lucky to have extra years with him in our lives. R.I.P. dad. Missed every day and loved always xo.’
Member @Useless: ‘My Dad was the gentlest man you could ever meet, he was a 2nd war vet and kept it all inside. He passed away at an early year, and he never swore and took each day as it came. He was one of 11 children who was raised by a wonderful mum and dad during the hard times but never complained just lived each day as it came. I miss him every day. Love Dad xxx.’
Member @Jo Piper3: ‘“I did it my way” was played at my Father's funeral last year because he always did.’
The winning entry by member @TrishH: ‘What can I say about my Dad! He was the best! Always there for us, a great leader, worked so hard to provide for us and give us every opportunity in life. We didn’t always see eye to eye but I always knew where to go for the best advice. Sadly, we lost him at the age of 69 to a cancer diagnosis 24 years ago. I think of him every day and know how proud he would be of his 2 grandsons & great-grandson. Never take your Dad for granted, as life can be far too short. Love you, Dad. xx’
Member @margaretritchie48@hotmail: ‘I migrated with my family in August 1974. My father had been ill since March of that year. We lived with my mum and dad for 3 months before travelling. I still remember the tears and hugs from Dad. He would not leave the bedroom to say goodbye (as he was still not well). As we entered the taxi I saw him at the bedroom window, it broke my heart. I still tear up when I think about it. He passed away in May 1980. I was lucky enough to go back once to see him. He was a loving father but very quiet. He lived for my sister and I. Even after all these years, he is still in my heart. Love you, Dad. XX’
Member @MariaG: ‘I don't have a lot of fond memories of my dad. He had his problems, some of which caused his family a lot of grief and trauma. But, that is long gone. It's unfortunate he could not deal with whatever demons were racing around in his head. He was a victim of WW2, which began with him witnessing most of his family executed by merciless invaders of his homeland, Poland. He never spoke of it.’
‘I will say that I have memories of him being very much a hands-on bloke. He could do just about anything of a physical nature from building our home with his own 2 hands, electrical work, plumbing, carpentry, vehicle mechanics, lawn mower repairs, boot repairs... the list just goes on and on. I still have a little stool he made over 70 years ago. I use it to step up for the high shelves in the pantry. It's as solid as a rock.’
‘I feel blessed that I am able to find something good from all the sadness that we had around us. Sometimes you cannot appreciate what a damaged person has gone through until he/she has gone. RIP dad.’
Member @Martin D: ‘My dad was great. He was always there for me, even when it was really tough. Happy Father's Day Dad. I love you.’
Member @Starry: ‘My Dad was very special to me. He was 6ft 6ins tall, but a real softy. He carried me everywhere and I went to my first NRL game to see his beloved Rabbitohs when I was 3 months old. Nappies in the left suit pocket and bottles in the right. He returned from WW2 with some injuries, but they never kept him from doing everything. He taught me love, understanding, and how to be a kind and generous person. Not with money, but with being there for friends and people not so well off. He was a life member of the RSL and was awarded the Australian Medal of Honour for service to the RSL for his care and fundraising for disabled children and veterans who were in Hospitals. He gave these men someone to talk to and cheer them up. He was Santa at many events for Children. I was so proud of him and loved him for encouraging me to take up a nursing career, following in his community's footsteps. Miss you Big Man—I will never forget you.’
Member @janj: ‘My husband of 45 years, he took me to America to Disneyland, for our 40th anniversary, always wanted to go there and loved it.’
Member @Rujamm: ‘When I was about 4, Dad came home on leave and had a green wooden pusher (we called them go-chairs) for me. He had made it and he said he left it outside his tent and the next day it had been painted green, he said it must have been a special angel who painted it and for years I believed him. He never talked about his war experiences, I found out more after he died. One time he did the cooking and they all went down with food poisoning.’
Member @Igiveup: ‘It was the first year that I was on my own with 3 kids and my son gave me a Father's Day card, to which I said, “Silly, I'm not your Dad.” His reply was beautiful. “You are both our Mum and Dad and you care and do everything for us.” It is probably 40 years ago and I still tear up thinking about it. When I was pregnant with my first baby, I gave my husband a Father's Day card saying "from your future son Simon", just as well I had a boy. A few months later, he went to the newsagent to get a card saying "For my wife on her 21st." The newsagent said they don't make them, so he said, "Well, it's no use asking for one from her son, is it?" We had a good laugh over that.’
Member @MIZMAC: ‘My Dad was a very hands-on Dad. I was the eldest of six children. He had to help Mum as she had never even nursed a baby before I was born. He also taught her to cook. Her mother was a superb cook but mother and she did not see eye to eye and so she never learnt. Dad served in WW2 but rarely spoke of it. I miss him every day.’
Member @Sue Cook: ‘I remember my dad. He raised budgies and loved to go fishing he built boats very well. When I was old enough, I went fishing in one of his boats in Sydney harbour. Unfortunately, he died in his early 60s from Emphysema as, like a lot of people back then smoked a lot.’
Member @Furbaby: ‘My Dad was a very loving Dad. I lost him when I was 18 due to a heart attack. He had his first heart attack when my little sister was 6 weeks old. We were very lucky to have him for as long as we did but in that time he showed my brothers, sister and I so much love. We lived on a farm and we often went without a lot of things as money was very tight. We had no electricity until 1975 when I was 14 and Dad would have us sit around the table under a gas light playing cards or listening to the radio. There was no TV. Dad passed away 2 weeks after his 25th wedding anniversary and we believed he lived for this as his love for our mother was so strong.’
A huge thank you to each and every one of our members who shared a memory. It was beautiful to have this insight into your life.
Have a memory of your own to share? Comment below; we’d love to read them.
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you have 13 kids blimey
