To My Dad, on Father's Day

In Richmond BC, in 1982, I took 4 days to get out of my mother.  There were tongs involved, and my Dad had to leave the room.  His first born was already being difficult, and I hadn't even taken my first breath of air.  Throughout my life, my Dad has always been there for me, even when I was a little shit who thought I knew everything.

When I was a baby, he would hold a mirror over my face to make sure I was breathing. I appreciate this.

When I was a little girl, I would ask him every morning what channel Care Bears was on, to which he would always reply, "3"

When I was in Grade two, he would put on Beatles and Beach Boys record and play air guitar in the basement.  One time it made me laugh so much that I swallowed a dime (still unsure why the dime was in my mouth to begin with) but I let him keep rocking out.

When my sister and I were younger, he annually enrolled us in the "Catfish Derby" where every fish won a prize.  Sometimes, it would be raining and miserable and he would sit outside for hours in order to catch ONE little fish, so that my sister and I would get a t-shirt.  

Meanwhile, her and I would watch him from the car.

When he told me not to bring the rope to the park in order to turn the merry-go-round into "fun ride" - he was right.  Things and people got tangled and it got ugly, and for the first time in my life, I was grounded.

When my bunny had a heart attack in it's cage one night, my dad rubbed it's little belly until it passed away, and then spent the morning burying Cinnamon Toast Crunch Roach in the backyard. 

When my Grade Six principal told us we couldn't read Fear Street books by RL Stine, my Dad went into the school and when he came out, we were allowed to read them again.

When I was in middle school, my mom got a job out of town and my Dad became Mr. Mom.  Thursday was pizza night, and the other nights consisted of chicken fajitas, rice, corn and beef - and bologna sandwiches.

When I brought home a guy - he called him a "pencil ____" (but not to his face)

When I cried because high school was too hard and would probably be the death of me - he reminded me that "one day I will look back and realize that this was the shortest time of my life, and I would wish I could get it back" -- and he was right.

When I started working, he would get up at 3am to drive me to work so I could decorate all the ice cream cakes before they needed to be shipped.  I would pay him back in butter pecan and maple walnut cones as a thank you.

When I got my license, he helped me get a car.

When I had a real job, he helped me start RRSP's.

When I made decisions that seemed crazy, he still loved me.

And when I need him now - he's still there.

playing with my macbook photobooth feature. My Dad, aka Shrek. lol.

Happy Father's Day Dad - I know you are where I get my sense of humour, my rational thoughts (albeit not often), and my high expectations of what a husband and father should be.  Thank you for taking care of Cheryl, Mom and I - and for never judging.  I don't worry about anything, because I know I have a back-up somewhere out there - probably in a kayak, fishing or bird-watching in the backyard.  Miss you lots, love you always.

-Candice