I love reading these stories about everyone's dad. All of these dad's are/were all so different, and yet so much the same.

The greatest gift one could ever have is a loving dad. And it is so hard to know that some of us are living with a dad who is ill or suffering.

{{{{{{Pep}}}}} I'm so sorry, this has been a very hard year for you. I wish I could reach right through this screen and give you a big bear hug.

Hi all,

Don't post much anymore, but thought I'd share my Father's Day with you. Got "kidnapped" early this A.M. (seems to be a trend, the wife "kidnapped" me for my birthday. Today was equally pleasureable, but in a VERY different way <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" />), and spent the day enjoying my daughters and SIL and my grandchildren. We ended with supper and the presentation of my Father's Day cards.

It's the card from G and J (my duaghters) that sparks this post. The card reads"

"Thank goodness for fathers
who know how to share,
who know how to go to any lengths-
Fathers who know
how to teach and inspire,
to helps kids develop their strengths and virtues-
Thank goodness for fathers
who know how to trust
and are ALWAYS right there
when push comes to shove-
Thank goodness for fathers
as special as you-
A father who knows...
true values
true virtue
true patience
true love
A father who lives what he believes-
A father who teaches and leads by
his extraordinary example-"

"Daddy, this card says it all...
Thank you for all you've given over the years
Thank you for ALWAYS being there
Thank you for demonstrating your unconditional love
Thank you for being YOU...
I Love You"
[signed by both] G and J

I'll be sure to keep this card very close. It's sometimes difficult to live up to those words they had printed on this card, but I'm heartened to know that they've all been watching and (hopefully) learning. Unfortunately, like WAT and Mr. E, I too lost a son 9 years ago, and now (` one year post d-day) have also lost my wife. Although it seldom feels like it, maybe I am leading by example. If that is the case...I best make sure it's a good one.

WAT...E...if your boys like to fish, my Jason loved to teach others to fish. Let's hope all those who have gone on are at peace.

I've always been Daddy's little girl. I always felt like his favorite but my sister probably feels the same way too! I grew up with my Dad serving in the military...not on the front lines thank God. He is the strong silent type. Not real sentimental...well not until the grandkids came along. My mom and my sister are my best friends my confidants...my dad doesn't want the details but he is ALWAYS there for me. Helping me take care of my car, helping out with the kids when I have to work, lending financial support with never a complaint, steady as a rock. I always thought my H was a lot like him....I guess time will tell.

WAT,

Didn't read the other posts to you.

However, I am glad you had the short time you had with your son who died of cancer.

(((hugs))) WAT.

My dad, brother and now my mom is dying from cancer. It is hard. I am glad you had the time with your son.

Happy Father's Day. You are WORTHY. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> What else can I say?

You are a Blessing to this site. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

God Bless you, WAT, you are the BEST. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Love in Christ,
Miss M

Wow, thanks for all the warm feelings and good wishes. I'm glad other Dad's got to share in the messages.

We spent a rather quiet day - mostly getting my son ready for his school service project on which he leaves for 5 weeks this morning, but that's another story........

My son and SO baked me a heart shaped cake and we concluded the day having a piece while watching the new Brian Wilson SMiLE DVD. Smiles all around. Before bed I put my hat away for another year, it having done its job for the day.


That was his favorite thing.

Thanks,
WAT

Hey WAT,
Long time.

I spent the day with my 6 yo son and my 9 yo nephew,(His father passed away in March) Our day started at the aquarium and ended at the the zoo. "I'm still worn out."

Are you telling me I have to save the cable guy "Git R Done"
Tee shirt for life ? <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Take care,
Oz

Wow, Oz - how ya duin? Good to see ya!


Yea, save it. Maybe get some matching Saddam style underbritches.

Hope you're well.

WAT

Sorry to hear about your son WAT. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

I guess Divorce must be 10x easier than dealing with the death of a child.

My priest told me the two strongest marriages are the following.

A child dies. The couple will either divorce because of the stress and lonliness, or the marriage will become stronger. He said divorce usually occurs.

And infidelity.

One would think, huh? It's probably very individual, but on the surface no comparison.

But I am not ashamed to say that it was the opposite for me. Here's why, which may not work for other parents.

By the time my son died, we had gone through almost five years of battle against his cancer. Two bone marrow transplants with several years of remission in between. In a battle like this, everyone is pulling in the same direction. Everyone has the same goal. You do all you can and you fight, fight, fight with everything you have - and then you fight some more.

For me, when it was over, I knew we had done everything we could. We fought the good fight but lost him. I was proud of what we and the entire extended family had done. I and most others were able to grieve our loss, but go forward with a clear conscience. In a way, his death was a relief. No more sitting on pins and needles. No more laying awake at night wondering if there was ANYTHING that we should be doing that we aren't doing.

What I experienced with my XW's affair with her best friend's husband and my good friend - pallbearer for our son - was 10000X worse. Why? Because it involved choices. They were choosing to do this!!!! Two of the very same people who fought the good fight alongside all the rest of us were now choosing to kill their marriages and families. They watched a child taken from a family yet they turned around and then CHOSE to voluntarily take two families apart!!! I had a very hard time with this contradiction. That's why it was worse for me than the death of my son.

WAT