Sunday, June 19, 2011

Happy Dad's Day! 2011


For Jim, my DH: Husband, Father, and Grandfather.  It's been quite a ride...for all of us!!


For all the Dads and Granddads "out there!"
Not Forgotten by Sheila Packa


I learned to ride
the two wheel bicycle
with my father.
He oiled the chain
clothes-pinned playing cards
to the spokes, put on the basket
to carry my lunch.
By his side, I learned balance
and took on speed
centered behind the wide
handlebars, my hands
on the white grips
my feet pedaling.
One moment he was
holding me up
and the next moment
although I didn't know it
he had let go.
When I wobbled, suddenly
afraid, he yelled keep going—
keep going!
Beneath the trees in the driveway
the distance increasing between us
I eventually rode until he was out of sight.
I counted on him.

That he could hold me was a given
that he could release me was a gift.

14 comments:

  1. A very timely and relevant quote for us Dads and Grandads Kate. Thanks for that.

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  2. A lovely poem, a lovely tribute to your life partner.

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  3. Looks like a good start for father's day, breakfast outdoors with the newspaper.

    A generation from now, it will be breakfast outdoors with the newspaper on line.

    Your poem brought back memories of when my dad taught me to ride a bike, and when I taught my two sons.

    And reflecting on the the generations and bicycles reminded me yesterday, as Julie and her mother made arrangements to transfer Julie's grandmother from Glenda's home to a care home, that when we put my father into assisted living after he totaled his car and was diagnosed with dementia, he walked out of the assisted living center and walked back home for his first three days, and then told me that if we did not let him replace his car, he would buy a bicycle.

    After three days, he accepted the reality of his new location. After 7 months, he had passed.

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  4. Happy Father's Day, Jim!

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  5. Thanks for those words today.

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  6. A wonderful tribute to all the dads and grandads out there! Happy Father's Day!

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  7. Happy Father's Day to him and all the Dads out there. I enjoyed reading the poem/story.

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  8. Wonderful post Kate. I miss my dad everyday and so grateful for everything he did for me.

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  9. What a heartwarming quote. And a handsome fellow too!

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  10. Sometimes to let go is a hard lesson to learn...but a necessary lesson in the school of fatherhood.

    Lovely photo and poem, Kate! Thank you!

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  11. A nice portrait today. The poem is a good one. From the time our kids have been born, I have been reminding myself at each step to keep letting go, even when I know it will be safer if I just take charge. But, it is not my job.

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  12. Anonymous11:20 PM

    A very thoughtful post, and great portrait. New Zealand (and Australian) fathers have to wait until September to be formally acknowledged ...

    Happy fathers day, Jim!

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  13. I enjoyed reading this poem. Very nice tribute to your husband.

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