My Dad.

As father's day approaches I have been thinking about my dad. I sadly don't have many pictures to show you of my dad .... but as an avid fan of Downton Abbey, I think of my dad everytime I see Mr Bates. My dad was very kind hearted but sadly not strong hearted and died of a sudden heart attack at the young age of 49. I was seventeen and it broke my heart. To anyone out there who has maybe lost their dad recently I would love to tell you that it hurts less as time goes on - sadly it has been 22 years since I lost mine and I am crying while writing this. It doesn't hurt less as such - but you will have more and more days / months as time goes on where it isn't on your mind - you will be able to remember the good times as well as the hurt and you will be able to love them just the same as if they are still on this earth. My dad was not a noisy boy - just the opposite in fact if you would've met him socially, but the time I think of my dad the most is when I am in my studio (as well as when I am watching Downton!) My dad is the one who taught and encouraged me to draw. My dad was the one who would come home from work with books on drawing from thrift stores, fancy pastels he had seen, different pencils, paints and paper on a whim. It was my dad (a technical drawer) who let me play in his office (the garden shed) with his fine pen inks, his stencils, his measuring and shaping rulers. It was my dad who told me what he liked and what he didn't like about my art projects - it was my dad who let me storm out the room, slam the door in frustration at a criticism and then let me back in the room when I was ready to discuss and improve it. It was my dad who made me laugh out loud and it was my dad who made me smile inside when I made him laugh out loud. It was my dad who drove me absolutely EVERYWHERE and would pick me up late when he would rather have been in bed. It was my dad who tested me on fractions when we were in queues on holiday, my dad who kept quiet while I tried out different 80's fashions, my dad who read the board game instructions so fast we never understood a word, my dad who let me dry his hair on a Sunday night..it was my dad who spent a whole day cooking a Chinese meal for me and my friends on a birthday, my dad who fried us chips as a secret treat when mum was away..and most importantly it was my dad who showed me how wonderful husbands and dads can be. To my dad I say thank you - I miss you - but I am lucky to have married a man as lovely, hard working and as funny as you - who sadly loves bacon as much as you! Happy Father's Day.