Thoughts about fathers....

So as this is Father's Day Weekend - want to share any "father" stories...how do you think your father influenced your life - good or bad? Is he still living and if so how is it going for you? Or is your hubby a good father or your son a good father? My father was my hero for a long time. Our family consisted of myself and my retarded sister. Growing up was difficult - my mother was so protective of my sister and pretty much left me to figure out things on my own. My father worked many hours to accomodate the many doctor bills and special schooling my sister needed. My father eventually turned to alcohol, he and my mother divorced, he remarried and remained in my life until his death. He died in 1995 from a cerebral hemmorage - he was very much drunk and fell from his chair, went into a coma and died 10 days later. The doctor said he could have fallen and then had the hemmorage or had the hemmorage and it caused his fall. He was recovering from throat cancer - brought on my drinking straight whiskey for many years. He was an ex-marine, purple heart recipient from WW2 - but until his alcohol took over - he was a good man and I still miss him. He was never abusive physically or mentally, just couldn't face alot of life's problems without the alcohol. Guess my dependency factor was food...but hopefully I have a handle on that at this point and can only pray for continued success! My hubby is a good man and a great father to his 3 grown kids and good step-father to my 2 grown kids and he is turning into a wonderful grandpa!!!! His oldest daughter is having a baby in September and my son and his wife have a daughter who is crazy about my hubby. My son is a wonderful father - his 2 1/2 year old daughter worships him and he and his wife are having another baby this weekend - Saturday at 10:00 a.m. - she is having a c-section. This one is a boy and will make his entrance Father's Day Weekend! They live in TN and we won't be down there for 2 more weeks - can't wait to see my new grandson. So to close, the men in my life have been good fathers and grandfathers. Except for my father's alcoholism (which wasn't until I was grown) - I have been surrounded by good men who make good fathers. Barbara

My Dad passed away when I was 11 after being sick for the 6 months prior. So my memories of him are pretty limited. He had Cancer and died of a brain hemmorhage. He was a great dad and I miss him. He never got to meet any of his Grandchildren and I know he would be an awesome grandfather. My husband is a great Dad to my 4 year old son. He has grown a lot as a Dad over the past 4 years. We were very unprepared to be parents. Due to my weight, I found out I was pregnant only 8 weeks before my son's birth so we had very little time to prepare ourselves. Our son was collicky 24/7 for the first 6 months of his life so the beginning was tough for him. He has grown so patient with him, they play ball every day and go fishing a lot. My son adores him and he loves having a son!

Hi everyone, My Dad died November 25th, 2003, just 2 days before Thanksgiving, 4 days before my brothers birthday and 1 month to the day before Christmas that year, he was 51 years old. He died of an Acute Coronary brought on by COPD, was the official diagnosis, but he died doing what he loved deer hunting, and in my brothers arms. My dad was a Biker to the very core, I can't ever remember him not having a motorcycle, or having his buddies over for a beer, or for some sort of party. When us kids starting to get older, he slowed down quite a bit. My dad was also a professional welder, we took a family vacation every year, usually to Branson Mo. it was a lot of fun, for whomever didn't get the hump, lol, we had a 78 Z28 Camamro with 2 Bucket Seats in the back and a hump for the third seat, lol, boy were we happy when we got the conversion van, lol.... Dad played the guitar very well, he taught my little sister how to play, she played at his funeral and sang him a song she wrote for him for his 35th birthday with much difficulty as anyone would have looking at their father in his final resting place, he was also a great singer, us kids loved how he sang the Dukes of Hazzard theme. I only get to go home to Mo. once a year and the one place I want to visit is his grave so I can talk to him. He's still with us all in his own special way, I know I can feel him at times, he's with me even though I'm so far from home. I truly do miss that man. Thank you for thinking of this post!! Helps me to remember the man that was my Father!!!! Sondra, 315/245/150 70lbs. gone forever!!!!

When I was little, my dad was a good father. He was not very hands on, and my mom kept everything organized, but he was there. He wouls play with us, and my sister and I had him wrapped around our fingers. My parents got divorced a few years ago. The rason being was that my dad had a little mid-life crisis and started to date while they were still married. He then decided to treat my mom very bad. He would call and scream at her. He even accused her of abusing my 6'2 16 year old brother! My mom is a small 5'3", and she only hit him once when he screamed b**** in her face. He deserved it! I would try to talk to my dad about the way that he was acting. He would yell and scream at me. After being screamed at by him multiple times, and him doing inappropriate things, I have cut him off. I told him that I will always love him, but until he can calm down, and act "normal" I don't want to talk to him. It is so much better not talking to him right now, because it would upset me really bad. I love my dad very much, and miss him, but the dad I once knew is not here right now. Maybe someday....

Hi Everyone, My Dad is a wonderful Dad and Grandpa. As a father he always was and still is there for us at all times, a good friend, listener, advice giver, etc. I'm extremely close to my parents and am grateful that we only live 10 minutes away from them. I see him on an almost daily basis. I grew up in a loving, Christian home with nothing but good memories. My husband is also a wonderful father to our two daugthers, Brittany 7, and Emma 3. As a matter of fact hubby is napping with our 3 year old right now as they were out at a car show today. My husband plays dolls as well as cars as my little 3 year old loves girly things, but also loves trains, cars, etc. My husband also plays a horse every night as he gives Emma a ride around the house and to bed. Tomorrow we will go to church and then out to dinner with my parents. After that it's back to our house for everyone to swim and just be together. I hope you all have a wonderful, blessed weekend! Hugs, Shari

It sounds like you have some good men in your life!