I sympathize, but can't relate; for every crappy father, there's one who isn't. I love My Dad.

[cherokeeprogressive]

I woke up on my 16th birthday to find him in the living room of our house. My Dad NEVER missed days of work. Ever. When I asked him what was wrong, he wished me Happy Birthday, gave me a big hug and a kiss, and said "Let's go get you a Driver's License". Trust me; I didn't deserve it. Based on the terms of an agreement we had about grades, I didn't deserve it. I was a C student at best and that didn't live up to what I promised in return for the license.

Two weeks later, he bought me a beautiful 1967 Mustang Fastback, like the one Steve McQueen drove in Bullitt. Mine was midnight blue. It sported a 302, 4 speed, and 50 series tires. Again, I didn't deserve it.

I suppose a lesser man might say I was a disappointment as a son. I never hit a home run, and I didn't start on the high school football team. He would never say that though. Not too long ago, I asked him why... why he never addresses me by my name. "Boy". That's me. To this day (I'm 52), I answer the phone and he says "Hey Boy". His response? A shaky-voiced "Because you've always been, and always WILL BE, my Boy".

He and my Mom were supposed to fly down here to So. Cal. on the 9th of July. He's not feeling well, and since 4/1 he's lost almost 50 lbs. The doctors cannot figure out why. Constant diarrhea. No answers. I'm afraid. I'm afraid this will be the last Father's Day I'll be able to tell him how much I love him. And I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to tell my boss I'll need a week off so I can go visit him in Idaho. If it comes to it I may have to walk away from my job. I know that will make my Dad angry, but I don't feel I have a choice.

I'm sorry for each and every person who had a piece of shit for a father. Like I said at the start, I can sympathize, but I can't relate. Today is one of the days I show him some lovin', and let him know how much I appreciate all he's done for me. I wasn't the best son by any means, but he never treated me in such a way as to make me think I wasn't.

Happy Father's Day, Pop. I can close my eyes and STILL hear the sound of that Mustang, and SEE the way you smiled when you turned the key the first time. I'd give anything in the world to have it back. Nobody loves ya like I do.

[Happyhippychick]

1. Great story, how lucky you both were to have each other.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. My dear cherokeeprogressive...

What a beautiful story...

Your father's love shines through it...

The two of you share a treasure: the love you bear for each other. It is so special...

[catbyte]

3. I lost my dear dad to ALS on June 5, 2000, 2 days before his 76th birthday,

10 days before Father's Day, & 15 days before my birthday. He has been gone for 13 years and I still miss him every single day. Thank you for everything, dad. I love you.

[malaise]

4. What a lovely post

[lumberjack_jeff]

5. Thank you so much for this.

When my dad died, one of the things I found in his papers was a scrapbook of newspaper clippings of every letter to the editor I ever wrote and every newspaper article in which I was mentioned or quoted.

I miss him a great deal. As proud as I know he was of me, I was twice as proud of him.

[hfojvt]

6. I also have a great dad

even as a kid I used to say that I got lucky in the parental lottery.

He didn't buy me a car when I turned 16 though. I sorta went the other way. I didn't get a driver's license until I was 22. Saved the family a bunch of money on car insurance, and I did not want to drive anyway. I did just fine with my bicycle.

Both of my parents were bicyclists. Starting in the 1970s dad used to bike to work (it was about a mile) and then bike home for lunch and then back to work, and mom would bike to the grocery store or to the library, carrying things back in side baskets. They were saving gas, and saving money to put five kids through college.

So they have five kids to disappoint them or to tell them happy parents day. Probably he is going to dinner with my older sister who lives only 1.5 hours away from them.

[octoberlib]

7. This is lovely. Thanks for posting. nt

[Whisp]

8. What a wonderful post for a wonderful dad.

and I know you are passing on the good dadness thing to your kids. That's how it works.

thank you, too.

[calimary]

9. Getting my kleenex out...

Really beautiful tribute, cherokeeprogressive! Thank you for sharing it with us today.

Much love to you AND your dad!

[colorado_ufo]

10. Oh, here come the tears!

Please give you dear Dad a hug from me! As someone else who had a great Dad, and who no longer has him, my feelings go right with yours.

(I was always Daddy's Girl.)

[uppityperson]

11. I suspect it is my father's last fathers day also, or at least that he can remember all of us

He is a really good guy, taught me a lot about life, supported us all through everything. And is fading away. Hear hear for good dads.

[handmade34]

12. nice post!

whatever it takes... go see your Dad when the time is right...

Happy Father's Day!!!

[Skeeter Barnes]

13. Would Family Medical Leave not apply in this case?

How could they not let you off to be with your family?

People were off all the time, for months at at time, under the FMLA at my previous job.

[SnowCritter]

14. My father wasn't the best - but he wasn't the worst, either

He battled his demons like most men - sometimes winning, sometimes not.

Here's something David Gates wrote for his father.

This one's for you, Dad!

[cherokeeprogressive]

15. I wish DU had a "Reply All" function so I could respond to all who left good thoughts for my Dad.

When I spoke with him today, he wasn't in the greatest of spirits and that bothers me. At 77, mental outlook directly affects one's health. He's been battling diarrhea for so long now he says he can't remember a good moment on The Throne LOL. 50 lbs. of weight loss in less than three months is sapping his energy and I fear his batteries are no longer those of the Energizer Bunny. His doctor seems to have no answers whatsoever.

He's a tough guy though, no doubt about that. I've no doubt he's gonna fight and if it's possible to get over months of diarrhea at his age he'll be the one to do it.

I'm not ready to go forward without him though. There are still too many things I need to ask him. Too many instances where I need his advice. Too many fears I've yet to face.

But Thank You All from the bottom of my heart. Once more, DU comes through.

[sarisataka]

16. My "father"

had no relation to me by blood or marriage. He did not come into my life until I was an adult.
For over a quarter century he showed me how to be a man and was the best grandfather my children could possibly have had.
On June 7th he had no further need of his cancer ridden mortal form and moved beyond this world. This weekend we celebrated his life