Longtime readers of my blog may have noticed that I write many of my letters to my father here. I lost him in 1997, but I still think he reads my blog. I try to limit the online letters to him to just a few times each year... his birthday, Father's Day and a few holidays.
Dear Dad,
I sincerely hope that you have had a wonderful Father's Day. I know that not being with your grandsons is probably the most difficult part, but know that you are with them in spirit. And you are with me every day.
As I continue on this amazing journey of being a husband and father, I marvel at how easy you made it look. Of course I remember a few times that you lost it, but I also remember some times (more numerous) when you didn't. I recall the times when I pushed and tweaked as hard as I could... but you kept your cool.
As an adult, I can see the sacrifices that you made for me and I can see the also see the pain I caused... even though I really didn't know it then. I can also see, as a father, the joy that I might have brought as I learned to overcome obstacles and grow. I remember seeing the pride you had in me... and I can now relate it to the pride I have in my own sons. And I know that you would be a proud Grandpa with them.
In short, thank you. Thank you for setting such a high bar for me. Thank you for letting me taste failure so that I would know the sweetness of victory. Thank you for letting me learn pain to better experience joy. Thank you for giving me so many wonderful experiences. The summer vacations, the lake, the character building and learning experiences... even the ones I hated then, and love the memory of now. I could not have asked for, much less had, a better father. I hope that I can be half the father to my sons as you were (and are) to me.
I know that you lost your dad early. And now I wonder how you could have possibly been able to be such a guiding and mentoring father without an amazing example like you have provided me.
I think of you every day.
Love,
Your son
Unless otherwise noted, all content of this blog is the property of Lane Bailey, ©2012 Lane Bailey.
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What a wonderful tribute to your dad to write him a letter on Father's Day. We lost my father in law last Father's Day and today was a tough day for me so I'm sure it had to be difficult for my husband, although he comforted me today. My father in law was only my dad for 34 years, he was with my husband for over 50 years. I have found myself being very thankful in the past year for his friendship, support and love and I miss him dearly. I hope you had a terrific Father's Day!
How beautiful.
Hi Lane - wonderful, and what a great example for your own sons. Your dad set a great example for you, and you are setting one just like it for your sons.
Happy Father's Day ( the day after! )
Ann
Lane, very nice tribute to your Father. I sure your Dad saw your blog. Hope you had a nice Fathers Day!
Lane, what a beautiful letter to your Dad. I am sure he smiled down on you ..It is hard when you lose a father. I lost both my parents, mom at 52 and dad at age 88. Here is my post on my Dad - How Dad's Life Changed on an Autumn Night
I lost my Dad when I was 24, but thankfully we learned the same lesson, "Thank you for letting me taste failure so that I would know the sweetness of victory."
This, more than anything else, is one of the best lessons a Dad can teach his son or daughter, as painful as it may be.
Thanks all. Dads are so different from Moms. We need both... I am thankful that I had both, even though they were divorced. They worked very hard to make sure that I had two real parents. Luckily I can still get my mom to answer the phone.