In Loving Memory of My Father

Growing up my Father was larger than life! 

Strong, disciplined, man of few words, 

and always impeccably dressed.

We were not always close, possibly because we were both independent souls, strong willed and determined to make our own way in life (after all I was raised my grandmother - his mother- for the first 8 years of life). As the saying goes the apple usually doesn't fall far from the tree.

Growing up I often felt like an outsider among my family. After all my two siblings had my Father in their lives since birth. It wasn't until I came to Canada that I got to know my Father. My Father's work after I was born took him all over the world ~ there were cards, gifts, letters and rare visits. But no bedtime stories, or days at the park, or words of praise when I did good in school, in the early years when children and parents form that bond.

Like I said I was much like him, a rebel determined to make my own way in life, and that I did. 

As I sit here wrapped in my bathrobe ~ the one that use to be white [now pink, due to my instance on doing a load of laundry, shortly after my return home (post accident) ~ of course not remembering , one must sort whites from colours.] You see this bathrobe means the world to me, it is the last birthday gift my Father bought me [I was in the hospital still recovering December 2006] . As like most old school European Fathers, they rarely go and "shop" instead you get an envelope filled with money. That my Father actually went out and picked it out himself means the world to me and his action spoke the words, he often did not say out loud.

September 30th, 2007 you returned HOME

But not before I knew with all my heart how much you loved and were proud of me!

Thank you Dad, for willing me to keep going after my accident ~ without your love and strength, the last nine months of our lives together would not have been as joyous!

I MISS you more than words can describe and tears can show, but I know one day we will be united again. And you'll probably say to me ...  "What took you so long to learn your lessons and complete your purpose on earth?" then we'll plan a new set of lessons and purpose for the next time.