Father’s Day

So yesterday was Father’s Day. Happy Father’s Day to all, I hope it was all you anticipated.

I wrote, what I considered, a fine piece regarding the aforementioned Father’s Day yesterday. And promptly lost it on the device I had depended on to save it. I had depended on the device to act as I expected and was accustomed to, only to be let down.

That’s a great analogy for my relationship with my father. Over the years, I have routinely acted contrary to what was desired or expected. I frequently failed to meet the standard set forth. I let my father down.

That admission is not self pity, nor an act of false contrition. Just a mere statement of indisputable fact.

My father is a good man. He has been an exceptional provider for my step-mother and her two kids (whom he adopted). In his retirement years he has been very supportive of my step-mother as she continues to practice medicine in a clinic a couple times a week. I know my father gets great enjoyment from the grandchildren his adopted kids have brought forth. I believe he is a content and happy man.

I really hope he is. He has worked hard for his success. He deserves peace and joy.

I am not a father (to the best of my knowledge). I have had failed attempts at being a step-father and often found it is damn hard to parent someone else’s kid. Until now.

My lady’s 7 & 12 year old kids gave me a card this weekend. It’s nice, with a lovely sentiment. I quite like it. When I found out that not only was it their idea to get me a card, but that they had picked it out themselves, well, you could have dropped me with a feather. At that moment, it could have been a Bristol board with an ‘x’ scratched in it and I would have been just as moved.

It seems our wee family enjoys my company. It would appear I am loved. Maybe I’m making a positive impact.

I remember my step-dad. He was a fine man. He taught me many skills, let me ‘help’ in the garage and showed me vulnerability is ok. He accepted my failures and flaws. He got right and truly furious but never judged. He was another very good man.

Now that I see the impact I’m having on these two wee kiddies’ lives, I am resolved to use the best skills of both the fine men who have been fathers to me. I count myself fortunate to have been influenced by them both and hope I can filter their lessons to my step-kids. I want them to be happy, to enjoy their childhood, to learn to enjoy leisure, while also learning respect, duty, ethics and the value of work.

I was blessed to have the influence of two fathers, I only hope to emulate the best of them both.

Happy Father’s Day to all.

D Day

June 6th marked the 69th anniversary of the Invasion of Normandy, known in our collective consciousness as D-Day.
We’ve become accustomed to acknowledging our veterans primarily on November the 11th and generally dismissing them the rest of the year.

At 06:30 June 6, 1944 roughly 125,000 Allied troops began the invasion. By the end of the day there were over 12,000 Allied casualties, including more than 4,400 dead. The Nazis endured better than 4,000 casualties.

The numbers are staggering. I cannot fathom such horrific one day losses.

What I find even more overwhelming is the fact these men must have known how badly the odds were stacked against them. They must have been terrified, yet ready & able to act. To be willing to kill or be killed in defence of the freedom we all enjoy.

Popular culture often portrays the veteran as a grey haired, feeble old man. This isn’t always accurate. There are many vets in their 30’s, 40’s and 50’s. Modern day heroes generally unrecognized by the public they have risked their lives to protect.

As I go about my daily travels, I see quite a number of young men and women in uniform going about their business. It always gives me the opportunity to think. My Mom’s father was in the Royal Air Force during WWII, my Father’s father was a career Army officer and I have a cousin who retired as a Captain in the Canadian Navy. I think about the sacrifices these men made and the sacrifices the young people are prepared to make.

I also think of the luxuries I enjoy as a result of these sacrifices. One of my biggest regrets (and I have a whack of ’em) is I didn’t join the Navy when I had the chance. I found myself doing ‘much more important’ things. I ultimately pissed away the years I could have been doing something significant. I lived the life others were dying to provide.

When I see these young people, or anyone in a Forces uniform, I routinely approach them with my right hand extended. I say something like ‘I’d like to express my thanks from a grateful citizen. Thank you for your sacrifice’. I then leave them in peace.

The truth is, I am grateful. These men and women do a job I cannot and have not been willing to do. A veteran doesn’t have had to fought the Axis of Evil in the ’40’s, the Communists in Korea or the Vietcong. We have vets coming home from posts all over the planet every day.

These men and women, in my humble opinion, are true heroes. They’ve humanized their dedication to our country. They’ve risked their lives to defend the defenceless. They’ve provided for those who cannot provide for themselves. And they have protected our shores.

They have protected you and me.