Fathers Day !

[Marco]

Indeed. My old man's 83 now, and great for his age, both physically and mentally, but I certainly don't take that for granted or consider that he'll be alive forever.

Instead, I keep him close (we have a very close relationship) and make the most of the time we have left by going out and doing things we both enjoy, creating as many nice memories in the process as possible (as your memories can never be taken away), and making sure that we say all the things to each other we need to say, so that neither of us has any regrets.

In these days of folk running around like headless chickens, working all the hours under the sun, it's so easy to *think* that you don't have time to spend with your parents, taking them for granted or putting off that visit until next week. My advice is to MAKE TIME, not excuses, as if you really care, you'll FIND the time to pop in and say hello or lift up the phone for a chat.

Take the time to do that, make some nice memories, and have no regrets, as the ability to do that could be taken away from you unexpectedly or sooner than you think.

Marco.

[Spectral Morn]

Indeed. My old man's 83 now, and great for his age, both physically and mentally, but I certainly don't take that for granted or consider that he'll be alive forever.

Instead, I keep him close (we have a very close relationship) and make the most of the time we have left by going out and doing things we both enjoy, creating as many nice memories in the process as possible (as your memories can never be taken away), and making sure that we say all the things to each other we need to say, so that neither of us has any regrets.

In these days of folk running around like headless chickens, working all the hours under the sun, it's so easy to *think* that you don't have time to spend with your parents, taking them for granted or putting off that visit until next week. My advice is to MAKE TIME, not excuses, as if you really care, you'll FIND the time to pop in and say hello or lift up the phone for a chat.

Take the time to do that, make some nice memories and have no regrets, as the ability to do that could be taken away from you unexpectedly or sooner than you think.

Marco.

Amen to all the above.

[Oldpinkman]

Just spoken to my Dad. He was driving back to England from a week in the South of France with my sister on "the day" - and he's not good with mobile communications. I'm back to the UK next week and staying with them.

I had a major result this time, since both mine remembered me spontaneously without a reminder from Sue. Seeing my son for a beer next Wednesday and had a brilliant Facebook video call from Rachel in her cabin in Philadelphia where she is running the horses in Camp America. I showed her round our French house - virtually - whilst we spoke.
This internest web thingy is a wonderful device for enabling you to be close when you are physically miles apart

[struth]

Amen to all the above.

+2

Even a quick text is better than silence. If you live long enough, it may be you

[Beobloke]

Thanks for the kind words, guys. It's getting easier and I'm starting to remember the good times rather than dwelling on the suffering he had in his last few months. The anniversaries in the first year seem to be the worst, though - he died in December last year, so Christmas 2015 was very subdued, and we've now passed his birthday in January and Father's Day, so I'm hoping think the worst is over. March was particularly sad as it would have been my parents' 60th Wedding Anniversary, which I think hit my mum a bit, but she's doing well generally.

In these days of folk running around like headless chickens, working all the hours under the sun, it's so easy to *think* that you don't have time to spend with your parents, taking them for granted or putting off that visit until next week. My advice is to MAKE TIME, not excuses, as if you really care, you'll FIND the time to pop in and say hello or lift up the phone for a chat.

Take the time to do that, make some nice memories, and have no regrets, as the ability to do that could be taken away from you unexpectedly or sooner than you think.

Marco.

Wise words, Marco - I couldn't have put it better myself.

[Firebottle]

We were talking about some sayings of my father on the way to the shops this morning. He died in 1999 at the ripe old age of 90, but we have some great memories.

One of his sayings, about driving/learning to drive was 'See and be seen' Very good advice.

Another was 'If you don't ask you don't get'. He was a real darling at going into any wholesaler he wanted to and when asked 'what company is it?' he just came out with 'Page and son'.

Fond memories.

[take5]

A mixture of feelings for me this year, in line with some on here.

On the one hand, I was given breakfast in bed by my 14 year old daughter, which was lovely. Although I couldnt believe it when she woke me at 6.30 with a sausage on a roll ( with brown sauce )
"I got a bit excited " says she, when I asked "why so early" .
Anyway, I couldnt give her too much of a telling off, especially when she produced a packet of Fudge. Sausage on a roll, followed by fudge. Doesnt get any better ( even at 6.30 am ).....Bless her.

However this was balanced out later in a phone call to my Dad, who has Alzheimers and is going downhill quickly.
After yet another frustrating call with a confused, sad, angry old man I did reflect on how many more such Fathers day calls I would have with my Dad. As I live 5 hours away I only get up about once a month to see him and I see a difference each time. He has been living with this for 2 years now, but things are changing more quickly now, and its only a matter of time before he needs to go into a care home, which Im dreading.

So, a hugely reflective day for me, with both sides of the Fathers Day experience.

[struth]

Good that you still keep in touch Brian. As for the lass, very well done. Sure you enjoyed that roll n sausage.