I have very fond memories of my dad. Very. Fond. Memories. So while we are celebrating fathers, I am paying homage to mine.
My dad died 14 years ago now so I hold on tight to those precious memories.
Today I want to share some of those fond memories with you, with the hope that you will continue to cherish your dad or the memories that he brought you.
Here comes the warning: some of my cherished memories may seem simple and mundane and some might even make you feel sad but still, those are the memories I have and I wouldn’t change a thing!
And the fun part: there is a giveaway of a soldering kit, a baby thermometer that dad can use with his kids, and a few other useful bits. If you are a female and reading this, sure you can enter the competition as long as you promise to give the gifts to a dad.
Early Childhood Memories I think of when celebrating fathers
I did not grow up with my dad in the same household, but he lived near enough so that we saw him almost every day. He would most certainly have a treat of one kind or another and would embrace us each in turn and give us the little treat.
My favorite part of the visit would be when I got a chance to sit on his knee and he would tickle me, tell me a riddle or a little story. The visits were not long but each time was special.
Sometimes he would bundle all 5 of us in his car and take us for a ride around the neighborhood. His car, if I can remember right was an Austin Cambridge. It was noisy and not as comfortable as cars these days, but we knew no better. We didn’t wear seat belts or have booster seats or any of that safety paraphernalia at all. We would each want to sit by a window (an impossibility, I know!).
We would put the window down low and have the air wafting through and we would have music on (as you do!). I can’t remember what the music was being played though but when I think of it, only one song comes back to memory and that is ‘Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa’. Oh, the memories!
Later Childhood memories of Dad
I don’t remember a time when I was sad due to not seeing my dad for ages. I wasn’t even sad when he was going because I had the assurance that he would make another visit pretty soon and that he would have some treat or toy for me.
I remember once though when I just really wanted to see my dad. I no doubt had seen him the day before but I was super excited because I had a bit of news I wanted to share with him. I was 11, well we were 11. (I am a twin) and we had taken the Common Entrance Examination and were successful and for the school of our first choice, (which meant that we had done really well.)
I just could not wait to tell my father. He had encouraged us always to keep studying and revising. He had paid for us to have extra lessons after school and during school holidays and he would leave work, take us to school, He even got us focussed on Time Tables and would shoot random time table questions at us and would beam broadly when we shot the right answer back at him. So I knew he would be super pleased with this result.
Well when my father turned up, I was so excited to see him! I didn’t know what to do with myself! I was pretending to be shy and was hiding from him. But I really just wanted him to scoop me up and cuddle me.
Well, he eventually caught up with me and gave me a tickly kiss on both my cheeks. His stubbly beard was itching but I was so happy. My dad, of course, was so pleased and he would tell anyone who would listen that his daughters had passed their Common Entrance Examination for St Jago High School. My dad was super proud and that made me so pleased.
Celebrating dads? Here’s why he’s my number one fan
Throughout my life, my dad was indeed, my number one fan. He cheered me on as much as he could all the way. My two sisters and I moved to live with my dad whilst I was going to secondary school.
He really treated us well and especially with regards to education, he really encouraged us to do our best in school. We lived quite a distance away from school and we had to commute by taxi, bus or train. My dad would get up really early, boiled water so we could have a warm bath and made us breakfast whilst we were in the bathroom.
My dad would leave work during his lunch break, go home, and make something we could have for dinner or at least start the dinner. He was that good. I was thinking one day how ‘good’ my dad really was to us and so I wanted to repay him for his kindness.
So one day, during the Summer holidays, whilst my dad was at work, I took all his work shirts and decided I would iron them for him. Well, it was the good old days when you had to put hot coals in the iron or you could put smaller irons on the hot coals to heat up. Well, the bigger iron was the one that I had to put the coals into so, of course, I thought I would use that one so that it would take me less time.
Well, to cut to the chase, a piece of fire coal dropped out of the iron and onto my dad’s pristine blue shirt! OMG! What would I do? I was beside myself with sadness. I cried so much and was traumatized by the whole thing. I was not looking forward to my dad coming home that evening as I was unsure how he would react in such a situation (my dad took very good care of his clothes!)
I didn’t need to worry so much! When with teary eyes I told my dad, he was so proud of me for attempting to surprise him with my ironing prowess! The relief! He gave me such a tender hug and forgave me for ruining his shirt.
Dad’s love continued
After secondary school finished and we were awaiting the exam results, my twin sister and I told our dad that we would like to get a summer job so we could earn some money. He neither encouraged nor discouraged us. He sort of left it up to decide. However, one day after coming home dejected after more disappointing news of ‘no job’, my father asked me what I would like to do as an adult. I told him I wanted to be a typist. That’s when my dad gave me the talk. Basically, he said I needed to do something that I had to train to become, something that required dedication and time to develop. I trusted my dad’s instincts since he is a very wise soul. Well, that Summer, we were not successful in getting any jobs but we were then focussed on preparing ourselves to become teachers, which, we did!
Dad’s Advice
My dad had some pearls of wisdom which he had a habit of imparting and I will treasure the memories of those he left with me. Although I have decided to give up my teaching career, I am glad that I did follow my dad’s advice and trained to become a teacher.
I remember even the sober talk he gave me when I was leaving for college. It was rather touching and it certainly did help me to stay focused when things got challenging, in various ways at college.
Part of the ‘speech’ was about not forgetting my roots, and thankfully, I don’t think I have. My mom came quite a few times to visit me whilst in college, but my dad never came. His sight began to fail and he did not feel comfortable being out in public as a result. My dad never came to my graduation, nor to my wedding either but his support and words of wisdom were there and I was happy, although I would have preferred for him to be there.
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Treasure your own dad when you think of celebrating fathers
If your dad is still alive, make the most of him now. Let him know that you love him. I know that for many people, it is difficult to say those three words: ‘I love you’.
However, by the things you do, and say, your love will be evident so do your best. I tried to do as much as I could for my father whilst he was alive. Whenever I had time off from college, I went to see him and even after I finished training and lived away from home, I would visit my dad at home, take him to his appointments, cook him his favorite meals and sit and just talk with him. I treasure those memories now.
I remember him saying, the best gifts he ever got was twin girls on December 22 in 1966. That melts my heart even now just thinking about it. My daughter was 4 when my dad died. They didn’t have much of a relationship primarily as there was a lot of physical distance between them. I do regret that but, you know what’ Que sera, whatever will be will be.
Reminiscing about celebrating fathers
Thank you for getting to the end of this monologue about my dad. I do love and miss him so much. Anyway, let’s lighten the mood with a giveaway. To be in with a chance of a prize you must be living in the UK, you must comment with which of the prizes you would like to win and a bit about your dad. Good luck. You do need to check back to see if you are indeed the winner. We will need your name and postal details to send the item/s out to you.
Oh, my dad was called Fitz Felix Creed. We were ever so proud of his name and I will always remember him doing a swoop and flash of his pen to get his signature done! May his soul rest in peace.
Fathers’ Day Soldering Iron set
A bundle of gadgets and leads to keep the communication flowing between fathers and their children.
So this year, apart from selecting a beautiful greeting card, we hope you will also reflect and cherish the times you spent with your father.
My dad wa a hippie who taught me to swim amongst many other things.
great read. My dad also passed about 19 years ago. I try to honor him everyday in how I live my life.
Thanks for popping by! We are honoured! You no doubt miss your sad, but do live your best life through him.
Dad was always there with wise words backed up with help – whenever I needed it – right up to his death
Dads are usually full of wise words, having lived so many years before us.
What a lovely story! Your dad sounds like he was fantastic and you have so many great memories to tell your daughter about even though he’s not around anymore.
I just think we had the best time ever, with our dad. And in his last years, we also gave him back the best life possible.
What a lovely sentiment ♥️
Thanks so much. And all the best with the giveaway.
Would love to win for my momma…..
Aww, that would be nice. Well, good luck.
Me being on his shoulders, feeling on top of the world, us both laughing
That’s an awesome feeling, isn’t it? Kids always love that. All the very best with this giveaway!
My dad always used to take me on trips to the woods to fish and it was amazing
The posture correcter would be amazing for me actually!
Cool
My Dad, unfortunately now suffering from Alzheimers, was in the Royal Air Force when I was young. His squadron sometimes flew along the Iron Curtain and would end in Scandinavia and so he was able to bring toys such as Lego home to England before it was known outside of Denmark. The only problem was knowing how to pronounce ‘Lego’ !
Great that we have a dad appreciation day, but every day should have some of this in it x
So true. I agree 100%
Re Caring Dads; I was too young to remember but when I was a baby my mother suffered from an ectopic pregnancy and had to be rushed to hospital to save her life. My Dad who was overseas with his RAF squadron rushed back to the UK and was presented with me as an 8 month old. He had been away for a number of months and so had no experience with babies my age but he knew he needed to care for me in between visits to the hospital. It was the week before Christmas so when he opened the fridge to make some food for me he saw the Christmas Turkey and vegetables and so being the caring Dad and enterprising RAF officer he cooked the Christmas dinner, mashed some and fed me on that until mum was well enough to return home. When she did return home she was a little surprised to find a fully weaned baby but no long term damage was done.
What an awesome dad, and lovely story. Thanks so much for stopping by and for sharing. Good luck with the giveaway.
My Dad has the recently been diagnosed with Dementia ,so the times that he knows who I am are so important ,knowing that they will become less and less
I grew up in an orphanage so cannot comment on having had pearls of wisdom from my father which is why reading the replies here is so helpful. Treasure your dads.
Nice that each one is commented on too, Joleisa.
I hope you did still have a lovely childhood and still got the opportunity for pearls of wisdom.
I would love to win the posture corrector for myself.
My father has died and we remember him with love. What a lovely lot of competitions you have for me to try for my wonderful husband who is a wonderful father.
I’m glad you have pleasant memories to cling to. good luck with the giveaway.
My dad who passed away a few years ago always took me fishing as a youngster and was always the one who cheered loudest at my Sport Days.
It’s so nice that you have such pleasant memories. Good luck in the giveaway.
I would like to win the posture corrector for my brother as i think he could benefit from it.
My dad died about 27 years ago, but I have a happy childhood memory of playing swingball in the garden with him when the ball caught the pipe in his mouth and sent it sailing through the air into two gardens down – we laughed so much and he made me go and ask for it back!
My partner would love these amazing prizes. He’s an amazing father and it’s his first fathers day coming up, our baby boy is lucky to gave him
Aw, what a beautiful post! As an adult, I’m finally coming to understand how much my father impacted me growing up. I’m so glad I married someone who is such an amazing dad, too!
Brilliant gift giveaways for dad’s!
my son is the gamer – he would love this mouse
I love memories with my dad. There were 6 of us, I was the oldest. I’m lucky as both parents are still alive. Dad (age 80) is still married to Mom (age 75). Dad worked so much growing up, but I remember fishing, hunting and riding the motorcycle with Dad. Love those memories. Thanks for sharing yours!
This is lovely and beautiful and such a powerful reminder to cherish your time with your loved ones. Thank you for sharing your fond memories with your dad with us. He clearly adored you! ♡
Share a happy memory about your dad or a dad you know. Give them a proper shout out!
l loved cooking with my dad, he passed on so many tips
Tell us who you would like to win this for.
for me as l know l have terrible posture
Awesome ideas! I always struggle with fathers day for my own dad or my husband. I feel like they don’t need or want anything and if they do it’s something massive like a boat lol. But thanks for the simpler ideas. lol.
I know exactly what you mean. Give us a ride on that boat when you buy it ok?
My Grandson, he would love this
Truthfully, my dad wasn’t great when I was growing up and he and my mum broke up when we were still very young. Luckily we have managed to put the past behind us and have a close relationship now. I guess he has taught me that people never stop growing and changing and for that I am grateful. One of my fondest memories of us together are when we would visit him as children and he let us keeppet guinea pigs at his home, but he didn’t think things through because he got us a male and a female and it wasn’t long before we were over- run with about 50 of them!!
lol. I’m so glad that things are ok with you both now. Well done for opening your arms to a good relationship too.
Such a lovely read my dad is truly my hero and best friend and I couldn’t get through each day without him he has been a huge help and support throughout my chemotherapy treatment even though I’m 27 he’s even there every step of the way to hold my hand when times have got tough and make me smile and laugh he has never missed a hospital visit I truly cannot thank him enough
Oh dear. From our end, we are wishing you all the very best with your road to recovery. You must be so grateful for such a fab dad too! Good luck on the giveaway too.
My Dad used to take me on daddy daughter days out with 3 brothers it was nice to have an odd day all to myself
Those days were the best.
Great selection of gadgets – lovely to giveaway near Fathers Day – always a special day to appreciate fathers
never seen this one before looks really cool!
What an absolutely lovely sentiment and a great father
Simpler the idea the better in my opinion xx
For my mum.
My dad has been very unwell lately and for the first time ever I have had to come to terms with the fact that he will not always be there for me – a scary realisation.
Sending virtual hugs that you cope well when the time comes. Remember that life is unpredictable though… so you never know, do you?
MEMORIES to cherish always – dads celebrating his 59th father’s day – I count myself TRUELY humbled – amazes me EVERYDAY with his character and wit
my Dad is sadly no longer with me BUT, my hubby is the most wonderful Dad and granddad that you could wish for, he is always there for them.
I would love posture corrector for myself and the Infrared Thermometer.
the gaming mouse for my daughter she is always moaning about hers.
Thanks for doing some wonderful prizes
My dad built me an electric train set when i was 8 years old.Funnily enough, I never got to play with it – he always got there first! Dads are such big kids 🙂
Thats a funny one. bet you’d do the same.
Great article!
i dont know how my dads put up with me for 50 long years
Alex Bennet Would love the gaming mouse pad
my mate mike bennett is always very kind to his kids
Thanks for that vote of confidence for your friend.
id like to win the Posture corrector for myself as my postures very bad
Communication between a father and his children is very important —and something i try very hard to get right
We so agree with this. It really is important to foster a good relationship where your kids feel safe to let you know their feelings and also what’s happening with them. Do your best. And good luck with the giveaway!
Jo and Leisa
My Dad had it tough as a youngster, my grandad was a pow for most of the war & shortly after his return my Dad got polio, this left him in hospital in a body brace for a year, he was 10 years old. The polio left him with a spinal deformity but this didn’t stop him playing with us, my fondest memories are helping him in the allotment, I was about 7 year at the time, picking sprouts & black currants, pulling up carrots & onions. He died when he was 51 of cancer, I was 18, I miss him dreadfully still. I just hope that me and my younger brothers brought some happiness to him.
Such a touching recollection of memories of your dad and also memories shared by him. Thanks for sharing.
My dad is no longer here I have memories of him been really good at art he did lovely oil paintings. He was a train driver and drove the old steam trains on the Worth Valley line . He used to let me sit in the front . When the diesel trains came he was the first man to drive one . My little grandson is loving them now and this would be perfect as a gift for his daddy. Thanks for the chance to win
Thanks so much for sharing such pleasant memories. Treasure them forever! And good luck with the giveaway
My favourite memories are when my dad would take my brother and me on bike rides. We would often go through a tunnel which crosses the River Tyne and he would call it Superman’s tunnel as we would fly through on our bikes. They were great times.
Sounds like you have some really fab memories.
dads have soft and caring attitude too as ive watched my fiance sing songs and cuddle my daughter showing her love and care everyday, he is patient and calm and she responds well to it
I Just lost my dad … make the most of him, while you can!
Accept our condolences Clive. We hope you have really good memories.
My dad spends winter in Benidorm every year so hes there for like 2 months. The other year we went to the animal park and s hawk decided to sit on his head, and everytime the trainer tried to get the bird off hi it would scuttle around on his shoulders or go back onto his cap. It was hilarious especially when it pooped on his head when it finally got chased off by the trainer – good times 😀
as a gamer I’d love the mouse for me – perfect for playing WoW
My partner is a gamer. He would love the gaming pad.
Both me and my sister have suffered from mental health problems. My Dad has always stepped up and being caring and given us cuddles when needed.
I’d love to win the posture corrector for myself, I could really do with it!
It’s really important Father’s communicate with their daughters, every girl needs to be able to be open with their dad!
what a wonderful prize for my amazing dad
I would love to win the posture correcter for myself.
Thank you for writing this blog.
It seems to me that fatherhood is increasingly not being expected or recognised as important to family life. It is to the detriment of wider society when that happens as well as, often, to fractured families themselves.
My son would love the gaming mouse
great giveaway
Aw, this is so lovely and sad at the same time. 🙁
My dad died around 13 years ago, when I was only 14, so never really got to know him as well as I wish I could have. Though I still have lots of fond memories.
I still think of my dad when I pass an ironmongers shop – he loved his collection of nails, drills, screwdrivers etc
My dad worked a lot when we were children and we didn’t get to see him as much in the day as he would get home just before we went to bed but I remember when I hurt myself and my dad taking me to hospital and while we were waiting to be seen and we were playing with the toys..he was doing the voices and everything and I just remember how much I loved it as it didn’t happen too often. I know now he was working to keep us clothed and fed but didn’t understand then.
My Dad went through such a lot in his last few years. But even during some of his harder times, he was always there to support me through my own highs and lows.
I remember as a child going on caravan holidays with my father which was a lot of fun. I was the ‘navigator’ but never really knew what I was doing 🙂
I’m a gamer myself so would love the mouse. Thanks for the competition.
The posture corrector would be great for my partner who has a lot of back problems.
Communication is of course so important to make sure everyone knows whats happening and there are no misunderstandings etc.
As my father is no longer with us, I’d like to win this for my brother-in law for being a fantastic father to my young nephew.
Thanks for all these great giveaways!
My dad taught us karate moves when we were younger just in case we needed self defence. He is still very active now and we follow in his steps 🙂
My OH is a gamer and would like the gaming mousepad
Caring, sharing, laughing crying, thats what dads are all about
The posture corrector would help my OH who suffers with back ache from his job sometimes
It is important for fathers to communicate with children, finding the right time to talk about their day and take an interest what they have done in school, hobbies and feelings and to be able to feel comfortable
My dad was the kindest sweetest person out long before painting furniture was fashionable I wanted my chest of drawers and wardrobe painted in 4 different colours it took him ages to do but when it was finished it was fabulous so unique I loved it so much , he also was a fabulous garden and grew such beautiful sweetpeas whenever I smell them now I think of my lovely dad
My husband when he became a dad for the fourth time was holding my little boy while they could clean me up. He started counting the little fingers and toes, as all dads do, then I remember him excitedly screaming that he had found an extra one!
Our little boy, Cameron, had six little toes on one tiny baby foot! Even though Cameron is five now and had to have the toe removed since he couldn’t fit shoes, my husband loves to tell him the story of finding that extra wee toe!
I’d love the posture thingy for myself, I do find myself slouching quite a lot which isn’t a good look and I’d love the gamer mouse for my other half who loves his games and since his a good daddy deserves it
Communication s very important for creating, and maintaining, bonds.
My favourite memories are when my dad would take my brother and me on bike rides.
I’m closer to my step dad than my dad. Few years ago, we actually asked him to adopt us and 3 years ago we made it happen. I got adopted at the age of 33! He showed me what a good man is, he pushed me in the right direction and was always my light in the darkness when I needed him. For me, he was more my dad than my biological dad has ever been.
Fathers communicating with their children is so important, I never really had that with my Dad. Luckily my children do, theyre just as mad as he is
I think it’s important because I think it’s slightly harder for dads, especially if they don’t live with their kids or work a lot – and mum is “always there” x
My dad taught me never to judge someone x
It’s important to grow trust and to know that dads are just as good as mums an will always be there
He brought us (3 Daughters) up to be warriors, and we now feel like together we can accomplish anything
my dad taught me to treat people how you would like to be treated.