Happy Father's Day

Father's Day is relatively new in England, perhaps 10 years here, following importing the idea from the States. As a family we could not all celebrate it together this year since my daughter was busy elsewhere, but we did all meet up at the morning church service where we exchanged all the usual hugs and cuddles for the occasion.

I have a wonderful wife and two great children - a super 17 year old son, Big J, and an equally super 27 year old daughter, Little S, who you might have heard singing on my blog. Their sizes bear no relevance to their seniority since my daughter is 10 years older than my son - it is of course with reference to their heights, since Big J is growing into a huge Oak Tree, leaving his dad looking ever upwards and asking him, "What's the weather like up there?"
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Of course the father/daughter thing is very prevalent - the word 'little' being a word of endearment, and in no way hampering her proven ability to stand alone in Cosmos Diabolicus. That said, she knows she will always be 'my little daughter' since she is the apple of my eye - there is nothing on this planet quite like the relationship between father and daughter. Don't get me wrong - I love them both to bits. The same can be said about the son/mother relationship - if, and only if you tow the line and don't make too much mess or clear up after yourself, big J!
Then peace will prevail and I won't have to intercede for you! Aren't us dad's useful! I'll put it on the bill!
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With all the recent talk of lions on my recent posts I can honestly say that I would have jumped nervously into a lion's den to protect those kids when they were young, sweet and innocent - I probably would do so now also because I told them on Sunday coming out of church I am very, very proud of both of them and I said I could not have wished for two better children. They are both thoroughly decent, thoughtful and responsible young people who will be an asset to planet Earth. I also told them I loved them both very, very much. Now - enough of the soft talk!

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Big J has this sign over his study/bedroom:

Any excuse to practice his electric guitar or dive into his computer games in preference to his studies!!! "Don't nag! Mum and Dad, I'll do my homework later . . . . and later . . . and later!!

Just in case you missed it big J gave me an interesting present which I value highly - he chose it all by himself and being highly proficient in knowing just how to get to his dad's heart he chose this plaque which now occupies a place of pride in my study.

My daughter presented me with a great book entitled "HALF WIT, The Silliest Things People Wish They'd Never Said".

Err! thank you daughter, and I commend you on your bravery - actually she knows me very well since it contains lots and lots of really silly quotations and I now have enough material to seriously rival Granny on the Web with her great humorous posts. I like nothing more than silly things!! Thank you little S. This book will go nicely with a present my wife gave me last Christmas, entitled, "YOU KNOW YOU'RE PAST IT WHEN . . . . " Err! Gee! Err! thanks love!! Actually it is a fabulous read and I will use it on posts from time to time . . . . . so watch out Granny!! . . . . . . lots of material there.

I am very grateful for the new watch from my wife with the inscription, "Don't be late - you've no excuse now! This watch will keep time!!" Hmm! Another piece of freedom gone!! Oh well! Thanks dear!!

My daughter knows the way into her dad's heart very well - she does not do it for any particular reason like, "Dad, I'd like a Ferrari or a Porche please!" No she does it simply because she is a lovely daughter. One of her previous Happy Fathers Day cards 'got to me' a couple of years ago. I keep it on display in my study next to my Bible - such is how highly I value that little card with its simple and loving meaning - it speaks volumes!!

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There was a period in my life when I commuted from Bristol to Darwen in Lancashire on business. .

I journeyed on Monday and returned on Friday while the 'girls' stayed at home - Big J was a mere twickle in my eye at that time. I was on a special secondment during my managerial days integrating a complex computer system into a company who had 'acquired' my company just prior to closing it down - nasty so and sos. I was responsible for £5 million business and they had no system to cope with it so for once in my life I had a company by 'the short and curlies' for about six months. My daughter was very young and she wrote this card which I shall always treasure.

I must admit whenever I look at this my eyes smart, I cross my legs and I feel decidely uncomfortable. Now look, love, I know I have long legs, but this is ridiculous!!

Where am I? I mean where are my vitals? Something is seriously out of place!!

You look quite well proportioned but did you always envisage me walking on stilts or when you drew it were you lying on the floor looking up. Ouch! No wonder you are trying to console me with a bunch of flowers.

Actually, we all saw this card and others recently and were in hoots about it - at my expense yet again I hasten to say!!

Inside the card she wrote a very moving message which I will not show on this ocassion.

In conclusion I wish to publicly congratulate my daughter. Last July she graduated with a BA (Hons) in Education and Drama and in July this year she will graduate again with her PCGE in teaching Primary School children Key Stage 1.
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Further, she applied for and won a teaching post in a very good primary school not far from where she lives. This was her first job application and she won it even before she was a NQT (Newly Qualified Teacher).

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Her mother and I prayed together aloud to God during the interview - we prayed earnestly and with a feeling of expectancy because our daughter has done a lot of good for others during her short life and I suggested to God this might be an opportunity for 'pay back time'. Perhaps it was or perhaps it was entirely down to her own ability but the main thing is - she got it! And thank you God anyway.

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Oh! you might be asking, "What did your daughter do?"

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She has always been a very fine singer and when she was just 17 she staged a concert in our local Methodist Church to raise money for Kosovan Refugees. She filled the church, sang 16 beautiful solos and raised £1300. She did other concerts and raised money for other causes.
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Big J - your time will come my boy, but for now I salute you my daughter and I am very, very proud of you.

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God Bless you both and of course my wife also.

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And now a very pleasant surprise.

Contender for Post Of The Day 29 June 2009.

Presented by David McMahon at Authoblog. Thank you David - this is much appreciated and I am honoured.

My congratulations to the joint winners and other contenders.

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Now previews of coming attractions:
A number of you have asked for some Ambulance Stories which I promised you a while ago.
I am very sorry I have not had time to post any recent stories as yet but I have started to write them. Life is a bit hectic lately, both inside and outside of Blogsville.
There will be some sad ones - there will be some funny ones - I'll try to get some posted as soon as I can.
I did an ambulance type post called Fond Memories of a Dear Patient which you might like to read. This was my very first post in January 2008 and I decided to wait until I had a larger following before I posted more like that. Thanks for your interest.