As you get older you realise the good quality people in your life. My Dad is one of them. I want to talk about here, what’s great about him and the qualities I learned from him that I wish to grow in me.
A subtle presence from the beginning to present. Never needing to control anything. Whatever life has thrown his way, it has not taken away his delightful generous, kind and happy nature. He still has this light and peace that radiates through him. He still sees the beauty in this life.
My Dad looked after me from being very young, my youngest memories are sat with him watching tv. I remember him picking me up from pre-school in his postman uniform and feeling this excitement to see him. He was my hero.
My Dad never really lost his temper with me. Maybe its just a Dad, daughter thing that is programmed into us. The great memories about my Dad growing up are his funny dances and joking around trying to lift the mood. He worked hard as a postman for many years, working nights for what seemed like decades. He had 2 or 3 jobs at one point. He was always decorating, cutting in and wallpapering. When he started to get grey in his beard, I thought it was paint for years.
I see my Dad now in the harvest of his life. Enjoying a rewarding marriage with his wife. Reaping the rewards from the very long service at Royal Mail. He’s bought a lovely home and decorated it all to perfection. Its so great to see him enjoying his life and he very much deserves it.
In the past couple of years my Dad and I have grown closer as I have needed him a lot. It’s been really nice spending time with him as an adult. He’s been super supportive with taking on my emotions by listening to me, calling me regularly and helping me with money. The best of all he’s been taking me out for lunch on his Monday’s off at our favourite cafe. It really is the small things in life that really touch your heart and soul. Especially in a period of your life when you are changing and growing. The people around you and the little kind things they do for you are priceless.
He looks great for his age, mainly because he has this presence. This presence that he is fun and happy go lucky. I have come to realise that this quality in a person really is like a diamond. It doesn’t matter what someone looks like, smells like, the amount of money they have or how successful they are outwardly. If a person lifts your spirits, they are absolutely priceless. If they can make you smile and then laugh, they are a diamond to be cherished! This is what I aspire to be. I aspire to lighten the mood, let loose and lift other spirits. I wish to be that diamond. Who people want to be around. I want to make people laugh. I want to make people want to make other people laugh.
I will always have a vivid memory of my Dad. Dad dancing to God Put a Smile On Your Face by Coldplay. This song sums him up completely.
He makes me laugh so much. We share a love for many things my old man and me. We love the same music. Most of it anyway, as he thinks I’m strange for my love of jazz and country music. We both love good food. The most special shared interest, is our sense of humour. Particularly Mel B from Bo Selecta. Give it a watch…
We just love it. Growing up I watched his videos of Bottom and Father Ted. Not sure it was age appropriate at the time but it definitely built a good sense of humour in me. So thank you Dad, for the precious gift of humour, dance and laughter. But not thank you for inheriting your terrible farts. Peace.
