A Letter to My Dad
Fathers, be good to your daughters
Daughters will love like you do
Girls become lovers, who turn into mothers
So mothers, be good to your daughters too
–John Mayer, Daughters
You were only 24 when I was born. How solemn you look in this photo, holding me - a tiny newborn - in your arms. But you shouldn’t have worried. You did well. You were good to me, and taught me to live and to love fully and passionately. You taught me to enjoy life. When I felt anxious or worried, you smiled and reminded me that life is short. When I was sad or upset, you told a silly joke or tickled me and made me laugh.
You are an inspiration to me. You are artistic and creative. You are spirited, passionate and incredibly funny. Sometimes I look at you, and I am amazed that anyone can have such a great attitude towards life. You look at the world like a child: with wonder and amazement. Sarcasm? Cynicism? Melancholy? Those would be a waste of your time and energy. You don’t dwell on the negative. You always find the good and positive - in people and in life. I wish I were more like you. I am so proud to be your daughter.
I love you, dad. Happy Father’s Day.
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Emily responds:
Posted: June 15th, 2008 at 5:52 am →
Beautiful!!!
Emily’s last blog post..Happy Father’s Day and We’re Off!
Joel Falconer responds:
Posted: June 15th, 2008 at 6:17 am →
Speaking as a particularly sarcastic and cynical dad, you’re very lucky
Joel Falconer’s last blog post..How to Stop Wasting Time at Twitter Without Giving it Up
MizFit responds:
Posted: June 15th, 2008 at 8:52 am →
that’s so nice. what you wrote and that you took the time to write it.
off to call my dad.
MizFit’s last blog post..Happy Father’s Day.
Marelisa responds:
Posted: June 15th, 2008 at 8:58 am →
Sounds like you got really lucky with the dad life gave you Vered (so did I). Fathers are so unbelievably important to the way we each turn out.
Marelisa’s last blog post..Share the Love Friday on Marelisa-Online Abundance Blog: Week of June 9th, 2008
Chris responds:
Posted: June 15th, 2008 at 11:08 am →
The John Mayer song is awesome! I’m quite sure that you are your father’s daughter. Of ocurse I don’t know this for sure, but based on the content of your blog and the comments you leave on other blogs, you’re exactly as you describe your father.
Isn’t strange how we really learn to understand our parents when we become parents ourselves?
Happy Father Day to your dad, Vered!
Chris’s last blog post..Sleep
MomGrind responds:
Posted: June 15th, 2008 at 11:46 am →
@ Emily: Thank you!
@ Joel: I think every type of personality has its value. My dad is great, but I have a few male friends that are a lot like you, and I actually think they are great dads. As long as we respect our children and value them as human beings, I think we are doing well, regardless of our own personality.
@ MizFit: Thank you.
It’s my Father’s Day gift to him.
@ Marelisa: It’s very true. There’s a huge emphasis on mothers, but a person’s relationship with their father is just as important in shaping their personality and their sense of self.
@ Chris: Thank you! It’s true that I am a lot like my dad, but there’s also a healthy (or not so healthy) dose of sarcasm and cynicism in me. It IS remarkable that it’s so EASY to whine about our parents and all the mistakes that they have made, until we become parents ourselves. It certainly changes the perspective. Happy Father’s Day.
Shilpan | successsoul.com responds:
Posted: June 15th, 2008 at 7:43 pm →
Vered,
This is very emotional post as I can relate as a father of two teenage daughters. I hope that my daughters will have similar feelings as I try to raise them by teaching value of character, compassion and love for the life. They both are my life and nothing equates higher in my life than a better dawn for both of them. Happy father’s day. !
Shilpan | successsoul.com’s last blog post..How to Live a Recession-Proof Life
Evelyn Lim | Attraction Mind Map responds:
Posted: June 15th, 2008 at 11:15 pm →
That’s so nice and sentimental. Hope your father gets to read it. I’m sure he also feels blessed to have you in his life!
Happy Father’s Day!
Evelyn
Evelyn Lim | Attraction Mind Map’s last blog post..17 Examples of Classic And Everyday NLP Anchors
Barbara Swafford responds:
Posted: June 15th, 2008 at 11:15 pm →
Hi Vered,
What a beautiful post. Your father sounds like a very wise man. How fortunate you are to be born his daughter. Treasure those memories.
Barbara Swafford’s last blog post..Most Bloggers Are Quitters - Are You
Sarah responds:
Posted: June 16th, 2008 at 7:05 am →
That is a wonderful letter
Does your Dad read your blog?
Sarah’s last blog post..How I Learned to Swim in 4 Days and How This Applies to the Rest of My Life, and Hopefully Yours, too.
Jill responds:
Posted: June 16th, 2008 at 8:24 am →
Sweet. You are a good daughter.
MomGrind responds:
Posted: June 16th, 2008 at 10:12 am →
@ Shilpan: I didn’t know you have 2 daughters. I have 2 daughters too – and in a few short years, they’ll be teens. Scary.
I think it’s very common for kids to drift away from you emotionally during their teens, then come back when they are older, and especially when they become parents.
@ Evelyn: He did read it… we had a great phone conversation yesterday.
@ Barbara: Thank you. He IS a wise man. He inspires me.
@ Sarah: Thank you! Both my parents read my blog and are very supportive.
@ Jill: Thanks! I hope I am. I want to be.
theramblinghousewife responds:
Posted: June 17th, 2008 at 9:15 am →
What a sweet tribute to your Dad!
theramblinghousewife’s last blog post..Smart Kid!
Bonnie Peachy Baby responds:
Posted: June 17th, 2008 at 4:04 pm →
I didn’t have a dad growing up in a single parent home. Your post made me long for the dad I wish I had. It really touched me hearing the little girl in you reach for her father. You are very blessed.
Bonnie Peachy Baby’s last blog post..When Following the Rules Has Gone Too Far
MomGrind responds:
Posted: June 17th, 2008 at 4:15 pm →
@ the rambling housewife: thank you. He became very emotional after reading this.
@ Bonnie: thank you so much. Writing this was an emotional experience.
Lion de Leeuw responds:
Posted: June 18th, 2008 at 4:00 am →
Thank you Vered for your warm words. I am proud to be your father.
Father’s Day should be twice a year.
I love you too,
Your Dad.
MomGrind responds:
Posted: June 18th, 2008 at 11:34 am →
Thank you for making a comment on my blog dad!
Hug.