Sunday, June 17, 2007



Fathers Day

This is a photo of my Dad, Alf. It was taken at New Brighton Baths before I was born. It was always a favourite pic of mine and it sits in a frame on the unit in my sitting room. It shows Dad acting the fool and making mum laugh as he so loved to do!Dad was a captain in the Merchant Navy. He was often away during my early childhood but it was always like Christmas whenever he came home.

Dad died when K was not quite two. He had lung cancer. I held his hand as he slipped away. Dad always told me that the night I was born; he sat and talked to me for hours; telling me all the wonderful things we'd do together and that we would be the best of friends. As I grew up, we used to spend Sunday mornings together while Mum got the dinner ready and we did all sorts of fun things together. He was right - we always were the best of friends despite being so alike that we often had shortlived but noisy quarrels! Dad loved K very much although as a staunch Liverpool supporter he would be very upset and distressed that his beloved grand daughter is now an Everton fan! I felt that by holding his hand and talking to him as he left this life the bond created the night I was born as he welcomed me into the world had formed a perfect circle.

The day Dad died, I went home and did a pregnancy test. I found out I was expecting S. Dad would have approved of the timing.

Dad, I miss you so much and wish more than anything I could spend this special day with you. You were a wonderful Dad and I will never ever stop loving you.

I am blessed in my kind and loving father in law who is coming to see us today.
Happy Fathers Day to all dads, grandads, fathers in law and step-dads - hope you all are thoroughly spoiled today!

10 comments:

Akelamalu said...

What a lovely photograph of your Dad and such a beautiful tribute you have paid him.

RUTH said...

How speial those moments you had with your Dad were; and as you say the timing of the pregnancy test was perfect. I won't deny I had a tear or two in my eyes for you as I read this post...
a massive {{HUG}}
Rx

Anna Ridley said...

What a wonderful, heartfelt and moving tribute to your Dad. Beautiful!

xoxoxo

Anonymous said...

Hi Julie - What a beautiful and moving tribute to your father. There is a special bond between fathers and daughters, and this is very evident in the way you have written about your own dad. CH

picperfic said...

aww, what a lovely story J...and what a good looking man your dad was! So sad that these special people have to die...my Dad died in 1987, aged 57, he had a massive heart attack, smoking was the problem...I miss him too x

Anna said...

What a funny picture....I love this shot. Such a sense of humor...

Hope you are well there!

:)

Unknown said...

What wonderful memories to cherish. :)You were fortunate to be close to your dad.

Jessica said...

So poignant.
Thanks for sharing.

JAM said...

A great photograph, and a wonderful tribute to your father.

Thanks for sharing a bit of him with us.

Pat said...

Wonderful photo of your Dad, Julie. Sounds like you had a similar relationship with your father as I did with mine. I miss him too. So happy that you have wonderful memories of Dad.


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