Dear Dad

[carsonshepherd]

Dear Dad,

Well, it's been seventeen years since we saw each other. I think about you every day. I wish you were here. I know you didn't want to leave us and you fought as hard as you could not to. I wish you had gotten to finish your years on this earth and see us grow up. I wish you could have met your grandsons. I wish you could see me graduate college. I try to make you proud of me.

I love you.




Write a letter to your dad.

 

[Harry Leg]

Dear Dad,
It's been 17 years since we saw each other. I'm not sure where you are now but I know it must be better than where you were. I know you knew you were about to be a grandfather when you died and now you have 5 grandsons. I wish you could have met them and I wish they could have met you. Happy Father's day, dad. I love you.


Great idea Carson. Thanks.

 

[Dar~]

Dear Dad,
I know that through a weakness somewhere in you that you are broken. I wish that the grip of alcohol would let you go, but you have to want too.
In regards to the last 16 years of my life, all I can say is I am glad you weren't here. I missed having a dad, but you were not the one I wanted. You made a mockery of the word. Someday, the world will stop revolving around you and you will realize that you are alone because of you. I hope that it happens soon enough to let you find someone or some peace at the least.
I have forgiven the violence and the fear, I just can't forget. I will always be a daddy's girl, just with out my Daddy. If you ever admit that you are, in fact, my dad, Have a Happy Father's Day. BTW, the paternity test came out positive on both me and Scott.
-Darlene

 

[Adi87]

Dear Dad,

Thank you. Thank you for everything that you have given me and thank you for everything you have done for me.
I hope that I am turning out to be the man that you wanted me to be. I hope I don't disappoint you, ever.
Happy Father's day Dad, I love you.

 

[Chantilyvamp]

Dear Daddy,

I miss you so much today. Every year is the same. No matter what anyone says you are the only father I ever had or will have. The moment the adoption papers were signed just sealed the fact of what I knew from 6 months on.

Thank you for giving me the courage to face the world every day. I know it was not easy watching me go through the things that had to happen in my life but you faced them with great courage for both of us. Thank you for standing by me when I made my mistakes in my teenage years and stepping aside to allow me room to grow. I know you weren't perfect and you had a lot of problems but it didn't change anything for me.

I wish you could have been here to see the steps later in my life. To get to know your beautiful grandaughter. I show her pictures of you and tell her what a wonderful person you were.

You will be always and forever my daddy. Rest in peace.

 

[rgraham666]

Dear Dad,

Thanks for the lessons you taught me.

They were the exact opposites of what you intended to teach me, and I know you're still unhappy with that. But even if I had learned the 'proper lessons' you would have been unhappy. You like being unhappy.

I've learned otherwise. And your unhappiness no longer concerns me.

 

[Liar]

Dead Dad,

Was it shellfish or peanuts that your new woman was allergic to? I always forget, and it might put a damper on your relationship if I happen to poison her. And we don't want that, do we? She's a bit crazy and we've had our differences at times, but she puts a grand smile on your face, and that's what's important. God knows you deserve a little happiness.

Bring the wine and the scotch and don't forget to pick up Grandma at the ferry. I'll see y'all tomorrow.

Love,
The Kidlet

 

[impressive]

The words I wrote for his funeral card:

In your every deed,
Husband, father, friend,
Thank you for teaching us,
The true meaning of the word
GENEROUS
The true spirit of the word
SELFLESS
The true power of the word
HEART.​

Not "to," but "about" ...

March 21, 2006

Yesterday, I did my yoga stretches in a different room. Don't ask me why 'cause I have no clue what possessed me to vary my routine. Anyway, I was on the floor in front of the recliner where I typically sit while writing. It's a second hand La-Z-Boy that I inherited when my mother redecorated her living room several years ago. It was my dad's chair, and if I stare at it for a minute & then close my eyes, I can still see him sitting in it -- like the visual echo of a camera's flash.

From my vantage on the floor, I caught sight of something under the chair -- a piece of paper. I knew what it was before I wormed my hand through the skirting to fetch it, but I was surprised by the force with which the memories flooded my mind. It was a football parlay -- dad's favorite illicit pastime.

December 15, 1996. His choices were circled and the margins bore random notes in his hand. New England (given 7) over Dallas. Detroit (given 11) over Green Bay. Minnesota (by 7) over Tampa Bay.

It's been almost seven years since he died, and I miss him today as much as ever. The man defined the word "generous." In fact, those football parlays were the only thing I can recall him doing solely for his own enjoyment. I'll save my memento. Later this morning, I'll pull that box from the top of my closet and I'll add one tattered piece of white paper to his favorite ball cap, pocket knife, and chambray shirt -- and I'll cry.

 

[cloudy]

Dear Daddy,

I miss you so much. I know it hurt too much for you to stay, but every day I still wish you were here.

I graduated from college. Your first daughter to do so, but then, I know you were there watching. I could feel you smiling when I walked across that stage, and got my diploma. That's why I was crying.

I wish Casey could have met you. He looks exactly like you, but then you probably know that, too. Sometimes I hear your steps in the hall at night, that distinctive limp. Who knew I would miss that sound? Such a little thing, but I still listen for it; still wait to hear it. I suppose it meant that you were home, and that meant security to me.

There are many things I would probably have done differently if you were still here, but it isn't your fault. It was time for you to go, but we'll see each other again one day. If I ever made you doubt that I love you, I'm sorry. I'm sure you know now that I do, and that I always have.

Til then, daddy.

No one shows
the pride in me
that you did...
I felt it.

No one knows
that you speak still
clearly to me...
I hear it.

Ice blue eyes
your length of limb
in my children...
I see it.

All these years
past memory warms
beloved father...
I miss you.

 

[Nirvanadragones]

Dad,

Today, when I said " What have you been doing?" I meant to say " I wish I were there with you." When I asked if you received any nice gifts from the kids, I meant to ask if you needed anything. You asked about me and C - how we were and I answered with the bare basics. I meant to tell you that I think of you every time I see her courage and determination.

I told you to take care of yourself. I meant to say that I think of you every day and hope that you're happy and content. I told you " I'll speak to you soon." It was meant to be " I love you."

Your daughter

 

[English Lady]

Love you, Dad. You work too hard but I know you love what you do. I miss you, I wish we could come up and see you every day or at least every week but I am always really glad to see you.

You're kind-hearted, generous of spirit and you make me laugh -you're a ray of sunshine. I'm sorry that life has somehow gotten in the way but I know you'll always be there if I need you.

 

[glynndah]

.....

 

[NoJo]

Dear Dad,

Well, it's been seventeen years since we saw each other. I think about you every day. I wish you were here. I know you didn't want to leave us and you fought as hard as you could not to. I wish you had gotten to finish your years on this earth and see us grow up. I wish you could have met your grandsons. I wish you could see me graduate college. I try to make you proud of me.

I love you.




Write a letter to your dad.

And I love you too.

 

[NoJo]

Dear Dad,

Shit is still happening in the world, and I can't figure anything out without you. I've absorbed about 20% of your wisdom, which is a fair enough ration I guess, but that other 80% is sorely missed. You could have put me right on Iraq, and maybe talked some sense into me about -- well, about every stupid thing I've been doing since you died.

I'm skint now, but that's sort of your fault for putting ideas into my head about happiness not being connected with money, and about art and science being so damn important. Some Jewish father you turned out to be!

I hope you're neither in heaven or hell, because I can't imagine either of them suiting you much, unless they have some of the 1960 Spurs squad there.

Your loving son, Joe.

P.S. Happy father's day.

 

[CeriseNoire]

Dear Dad,

Thank you for sharing your love for words and thirst for knowledge. For encouraging me to think for myself even when it meant disagreeing with you. For never thinking my being a girl made me less intelligent. For teaching me there can be good within people even if they're not like me. Thanks for loving me whether I'm good, bad, or "ugly".

Love always,
your little girl

 

[Bizkit_Writer]

Dear Dad,

Thanks for giving me life years ago. I'm sorry you have to have a daughter like my sister who I think should be a lot nicer to you and respect you like the man you are. Hell I do! Definitely come down to see me and I'll whip up your favorite meals in my lovely kitchen and hey if you give me the recipe I'll make sure to have stuff for manhattan's! I love ya like crazy Dad and I hope you had a wonderful and quiet father's day. It really makes me happy to pick up the phone and hear your voice on the other end. A lot more I can say Dad but you know what I'm feeling.



Your daughter

 

[Belegon]

Dear Dad:

I read these memories from others and feel even more blessed. I know how lucky I am to have the support and friendship we share, but even so I sometimes take it for granted.

Thank you for being proud of me. I am so very proud to be your son and bear your name.

Love,

Will

 

[SEVERUSMAX]

I wish that you could accept that I am my own man with my own values and beliefs. After all, that is the whole point of growing up. I wish that you didn't try to stop my independence the past decade or so.

Even so, I love you and I thank you for doing your part to make my childhood a wonderful experience. You were a great father to a young boy. I just wish that you were as good a father to a grown man. You have a hard time letting go. You've always been there for me, though, and for my brother and sister. I'll never forget that.

I just wish that you focused less on making me a "believer" and more on encouraging my finding my own convictions. Not everyone is cut out to be a Christian, let alone a minister. I wish that you didn't believe that people outside your faith are going to Hell, along with homosexuals, hookers, fornicators, liberals, etc. But I respect your convictions, even if you don't approve of mine.

I don't approve of the fact that you failed to live up to your own narrow moral code in terms of marital fidelity, but at least you wised up to how that woman was manipulating you and dropped her before she ruined your life. I love you and I really admire how you're a wonderful grandfather to my niece. You're there at a critical point in her life, and she will hopefully realize how lucky she was someday.

I don't blame you for the frequent moving. It probably gave me some extra strength to face changes in life, so that's cool. Yes, I didn't become a popular kid, but seeing you face your own disfigurement helped encourage me in a way. And thank you for saving my life, when I was 5 and didn't know that I shouldn't swallow so many thyroid pills.

You did your best and gave us happy moments as a close family for a long time, even when we didn't live so well financially. I won't forget that ever. And the really nice things that you said yesterday mean a lot to me. You're a great father. I just hope that one day you'll realize that a son doesn't have to be totally like his father to learn from him and grow up well.

And thanks for teaching me to be considerate of those I love. Especially in dealings with women. And for not being emotionally distant, like some dads.

Your son,

Dan

 

[_Lynn_]

Write a letter to your dad.

Good idea. I won't share the thoughts I have, but it's nice to read some good memories from others.

 

[SeaCat]

Hey Dad,

Here it is Fathers Day again. I know you got my card, we talked earlier today. And yet that short chat on the phone and the card just doesn't quite cut it does it?

Yeah I know neither of us finds it easy t talk about our emotions, even though we have been working on it since I turned 16. Yeah we both had a scare that year didn't we? We were almost split up. No more camping or boating trips, no more dealing with the wild weather or suffering quietly in shit conditions so we could laugh about it later. Remember the trip we took when I was finally able to walk more than a few feet without having to stop and rest? You already had the sailboat hooked to th car for the drive down to the lake. You dragged that damn boat across the sand by yourself because I still wasn't up to it. I'll never forget that day Dad. You got me out on the water and showed me I could do it again.

Do you remember the day in 1987 when I finallt came home from Europe? Somehow you knew I was redy to return from my own personal Hell and you were there to help me in your own way. Do you remember what you did? I do. You let me rest for almost a week, drinking my fool head off and stumblng to bed almost blind while you set things up. Then one day you woke me from my drunken stupor and demanded I get my ass in the car. A car I might add that was loaded with gear. The sun wasn't even up yet when we arrived at the airport for the long flight across the country. I was looking for a drink as we drove to the outfitters and was angry when he didn't have anything. Oh I was pissed when we climbed on the horses and headed out into the Wilderness. That trip, that three weeks in the middle of no-where living off the land was what it took for me to come around. To realise what was important to me. You knew it would do it didn't you? You had been there yourself. You never did comment on my scars, both those that were visible and those that weren't. You didn't have to, you carried your own.

Do you remember the day you told me you loved me? I do. It was the day my wife was told by her doctor that she had lumps in her breast and needed further tests. My wife had called Mom and talked with her about it. They had talked for a while and then the phne was handed to me. I was devestated that morning, I had watched Mom go through this so man years ago just as I watched so many other women go through it in work. Now I was handed the phone to hear you on the other end. I remember every word you said that day, I remember the sound of your voice as you told me that if we needed anything I only had to call and it was ours. I remember as if it was yesterday when you said goodby, and just before you hung up you told me you loved me. This rocked me as much as the news of the threat to my wifes life did. You had never said this before. I also remember how you celebrated just as I did when the final test results came in and it turned out to be a false alarm.

I also remember al the times I have been there for you and Mom. Showing up without being asked to help out.

Dad, today is Fathers Day. There is so much to say, and yet I refuse to say it just on this day. The two of us have too much of a history for that. You say you want me to join you on a camping trip up in Maine this year? I say I'll be there. It will be just as it always has been. You and me.

Ed

 

[carsonshepherd]

Everyone, thanks for the wonderful letters and memories. This is a hard day for people who've lost their fathers. There is so much I would say to my dad if I really could write him a letter, but when I tried, I could only manage a few things. Some things you just can't put into words.

Peace, friends. Happy Father's Day.

 

[SeaCat]

Everyone, thanks for the wonderful letters and memories. This is a hard day for people who've lost their fathers. There is so much I would say to my dad if I really could write him a letter, but when I tried, I could only manage a few things. Some things you just can't put into words.

Peace, friends. Happy Father's Day.

Carson,

I'm lucky. I haven't lost my father. He's still there and he's still supporting me. (As I am him.) I love him, and I have finally been able to tell him that. It took me too many years to be able to tell him that.

Thanks for the thread.

Cat

 

[a6eqt1]

Thanks

It made me cry thinking of my own father.

 

[robincr]

It's been 12 years dad and I still cry and miss you. I lost my best friend and father all in one moment.

 

[Riley_James]

Write a letter to your dad.[/QUOTE]


Carson,

I've always admired you and now I have but yet another reason.

I am lucky, I still have my father, but recently we received the news that my husband's father has cancer. It is very rare and almost no hope exists that he will recover. This is a huge blow as we lost my mother-in-law to cancer as well, over 13 years ago.

It is so hard to lose the people you love, but reading all of these stories makes the memories all the more poignant.

Thanks for your compassion and the thread.

Riley