Thursday, February 26, 2009

Daddies and daughters

Today is my Dad's birthday.

So this morning on my way in to work, I decided to pick out a card for him. I usually go with the goofy, funny card. You know... one that references boogers or farting or something like that. (Let me explain my father's sense of humour to you. Farts? Are funny. Burping? Hilarious. Bodily functions are the highest form of humour. My brother, father, husband and I once laughed until we couldn't breathe due to a "chain-fart" thing we had going on. Need I say more? No? Okay then.)

Anyway, as I was scanning the cards, the words "For Dad from your daughter with love" caught my eye. I opened it and teared up a little at the mush inside. Not because the card was superbly written. But because, quite simply, I love my Dad. A whole heck of a lot.

When I was in my second year of university, we almost lost him. He caught a strange virus on a weekend, and by the next Thursday he was in the Intensive Care Unit at the hospital. By the time I got home and arrived at the hospital, I heard the words "If his blood pressure doesn't rise, we may lose him."

We may lose him.

That was just not a possibility. Not from my Dad. The tough, strong big guy who used to hold my arms while I climbed up his belly and did a back flip when I was a kid. The man who would be sure to ask me if I wanted to go with him every time he was going anywhere - even just to the corner store to pick up bread. (I always did.)

The Dad who would let me mold his curly hair into funny shapes or use his belly as a pillow. The Dad who whistled along in a teasing way as I read sappy cards out loud to my Mom on Mother's Day. The one who would "fight" for the last spoonful of the Matterhorn ice cream sundae with me, long after my Mom and brother had given up. And the Dad who would jump into the car and actually chase down the ice cream truck with me.

My Dad: Fun. Amazing. Wonderful Dad.

So the fact that he fought against whatever it was that tried to take him away, and is celebrating his 64th birthday with my family and I today... and the fact that I can keep on making those special Daddy-daughter memories with him for many years to come... well, it makes me cry a little.

And he may try not to show it, but I think he might tear up a little when he reads that card, too.

Happy Birthday, Dad. From your daughter, with love.

7 comments:

  1. Beautiful sentiment... your dad is one of of the good guys. I'm very teary eyed right now. Thanks for this Hezzie

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  2. Dads are very special. I am sure he will appreciate the mushy card. Lovely to feel this way about your Dad.

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  3. Aw Heather - how nice. It brings back memories of your wedding - and the tears I shed then over this same comment - of how you almost lost him.

    You sure can express yourself well!

    Aunt Gerry :)

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  4. Warn me to wear the waterproof mascara next time, please.

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  5. I guess I am getting older and more sentimental. Your blog brought lots of memories flowing back and a few tears as well. Love you Hez.

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  6. This is SO beautiful. I adore my Dad - he's been my hero for as long as I can remember. And reading this made me think of him, and all the other Dads that are adored by their daughters! Thanks for this Heather. I can only hope that my own children will think this way of me one day.

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  7. Heather I am tearing up so much that I can hardly see but I just had to say what a beautiful and truthful blog. I love reading all of your blogs. Never stop

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