I was a total Daddy's girl growing up. He taught me how to ride my bike, taught me how to drive a car (stick shift right from the start). He used to walk me to school every morning.

One of my favorite memories was a night we had brought our big boat in to be fixed for the day. We went and got all the groceries for another week out on the bay and it was getting dark. Usually not a problem on a starry night. This night was pitch black. You could not see two steps in front of you. What normally took 30 minutes took us 2 hours but I wasn't afraid at all. My father grew up on the bay and I grew up on the bay so we knew every shoal and marker like the back of our hand. What was great was that he had total trust in me to sit up ontop of the boat and guide the way while he drove. I can't really put into words how it made me feel but it was great. :)

My favorite memories are probably the road trips with my dad.

He'd drive my brother and I from Atlanta to Fla., where his relatives had a huge farm.
We'd laugh and be silly the whole way there, and he'd take us to the coolest places to eat. And I loved joking around and asking "Are we there yet?" (and why couldn't he fix that?) every 15 minutes or so. lol

My favorite memories would be when I was little and we used to go to the Texas Gulf Coast every summer down by Padre Island. I always loved going to the beach. We would take our travel trailer down there and stay in this one particular park usually for three days or so. We would walk the beach, go to gift shops, have cookouts, etc.

Christmas growing up was always great! *sigh*

Nothing great about holidays now... :(

My mom playing the guitar or piano and singing for me when I was little-- and when I was older, too. A couple months ago, Mom was playing the piano for my one-year-old nephew, a song I hadn't heard in years and years, but one she always played for me when I was a little girl. I think she made it up. I got tears in my eyes, and had to sit down for a while.

oh yeah, I fogot about all the summers on the beach in Fla. I had a blast with my cousin hanging out on the rafts in the ocean, and riding the waves to the shore.
browsing the shops and walking around in the sunshine.
they happened so much, i didn't think to count them. lol

Timely topic for me because today would be my parents' 48th anniversary. Dad passed away five years ago 'tho, and I just got back from taking my mom out to lunch with my sisters.
I think the holidays have to be my favorite memories. Christmas was number one having the whole family around for Christmas Eve dinner and opening presents. Fourth of July was a close second. We'd always have a big picnic with several friends over too, either at home or wherever we went to see the fireworks.

Going fishing with my father :) So many memories of him trying to teach how to fly fish. I could tell he was getting frustrated, but he never gave up. :)

The years we spent living in Turkey would have to be the meories for me. Dad was still with us (young and strong like I will always remember him) and the whole family was together just enjoying life. Great days for me.

It is nice to read everyone's memories. I never really knew my father... we left his ass in Mexico when i was 4. The memories i do have of him are not good ones.

Originally posted by Milani:
<STRONG>It is nice to read everyone's memories. I never really knew my father... we left his ass in Mexico when i was 4. The memories i do have of him are not good ones.</STRONG>

Sorry to hear that Milani. {{{{Hugs}}}}
Hope that makes you feel better :)

THANK YOU BABY..
I really needed that extra hug from you today.. how did you know?

Your hugs always make me feel good...

Originally posted by Milani:
<STRONG>THANK YOU BABY..
I really needed that extra hug from you today.. how did you know?

Your hugs always make me feel good...</STRONG>

I'm glad I do sweetie! :D

Originally posted by abcmcd:
<STRONG>Timely topic for me because today would be my parents' 48th anniversary.</STRONG>

I hear you on that. Tomorrow would have been 49 for my Mom & Dad if he didn't pass away this June. Tomorrow's not going to be a good day. :(
This took me awhile to muster up, and it's not an ordinary memory, but it is one that always pops up when I think of my childhood.

The thing I remember the most about my Dad was his neverending ability to make me feel secure. I remember when I was really little, like 2 or 3, whenever I'd get tired or hurt or scared he'd pick me up and carry me. I'd bury my head either on his chest or in his neck, and all the nastiness would disappear. I can even still remember what he smelled like. He continued that way through my whole life. Even when we were at odds with each other, he'd always be there to bail me out whenever I screwed up, no questions asked. Sure, he'd light me up when we got home, but he always saved my ass.

Shit....I need to go get drunk now.... :(

http://www.plauder-smilies.de/pftroest.gif
Pagan thanks for sharing that. You were lucky to have a wonderful father in your life. He made you into a wonderful, strong man.

Originally posted by Pagan:
<STRONG>

The thing I remember the most about my Dad was his neverending ability to make me feel secure. I remember when I was really little, like 2 or 3, whenever I'd get tired or hurt or scared he'd pick me up and carry me. I'd bury my head either on his chest or in his neck, and all the nastiness would disappear. I can even still remember what he smelled like. He continued that way through my whole life. Even when we were at odds with each other, he'd always be there to bail me out whenever I screwed up, no questions asked. Sure, he'd light me up when we got home, but he always saved my ass.
</STRONG>


Baby...that's a wonderful memory!!! You had a wonderful father, and he had a wonderful son!!!

One of my best memories is also about my father. He's never been one to show emotions that much. Tough as nails... a real Man's man...But, I remember being about 5 or 6...I had a really high fever and was really sick. Dad wrapped me in a blanket and carried me around the neighborhood softly singing to me and stoking my hair. He stayed up with me all night until my fever broke. Mom got up the next morning, and found me sleeping in his arms, and him sitting in the rocking chair!! :)

Thanx Mystie & Milani....I depressed the hell out of myself with that post... :(

That was a vey nice story pagan. :) Shame he's not around anymore. :(

Pagan that was really great of you to share that. I take it so for granted that I have my dad. You brought up some wonderful memories. Thank-you so much.

Milani - this isn't just about fathers. What about your mom or a sibling?

My father was my compass because for most of my life my mother was very ill. I love her to pieces but I have always been the one to take care of her rather than the other way around. Her gift to me were her stories - the Irish charges through her side of the family but I have yet to really kiss the Blarney stone ;)

Just in the last month, my father and I started talking again after not talking for almost two years. I feel we are starting to be close again and I am happy. He is getting older (he is 64) and I would not want something to happen to him and never had the chance to make amends with him.

bringing this back to the top - everyone has some great memories :)

I, too, have a memory of my Dad. It was the last week of March 1995, and the family was at Disney World. Dad took me out of the parks one day, and we spent a fun day amid the Heaven On Earth called Orlando, Florida. Me and Dad went out to a mini-golf course first. We had a good talk about a lot of things, from dealing with bullies to how awesome the "Blues Brothers" show at Universal Studios is (Dad passed his love of Jake and Elwood Blues to me). We then ate a variety platter at a TGI Fridays just a minute away, where we continued our talk. During this time spent on vacation, I noticed 2 songs on the station we listened to. The songs were "Goodbye Stranger" by Supertramp and "Once In A Lifetime" by The Talking Heads. In retrospect, it seems like sick foreshadowing. 2 days after we got back from Disney World, my dad fell and died of a heart attack just as he was entering the NYNEX building. He was 49 years old...I was only 12. I was in shock most of the week, only crying twice. Either way, I was forever changed. I love my Dad so much. I just wish he'd come back. I don't want to talk to him in my dreams...I want to talk to him in the flesh. Why the Hell did this happen to me and my family? I quote my brother when I say "It's just not fair!". To this day, I can't listen to classic rock stations without thinking of my dad. Then, I realize that, through the songs, he's still with me in spirit. Something deep in me just isn't pleased with spirit, though. Why? Why?

Why?

Sincerely,

John "outofplacechild" Kilduff

John that must have been really hard for you to write. I am so glad you had that time with your Dad :)

There has been some really touching stories in here.