I'll start off by explaining the photo that accompanies my column.
John bought me a new Roughrider jersey about three years ago with 'Corrigan' on the back but I said I wasn't willing to give up my Szarka jersey until we actually got hitched. Well, we finally decided to make the big move and I can now wear my new jersey to watch the Riders defend the Grey Cup.
The rest of my column, I'd like to dedicate to the fathers out there. A year ago on Father's Day, I lost my Dad. It was a really rough time for me, as I'd become very close to my Dad near the end. I was fortunate enough to have him live in Weyburn for about 10 months and savoured that time with a man I hardly knew.
Now don't misunderstand me. As with most families in my era, my mother was the enforcer in our household and along with my five sisters, we were closer to our mother due to the household teachings she was responsible for instilling in us as females.
Back then, our parents' job was to ensure they brought their children up to be functioning adults. There was no grey area. They were the disciplinarians, the adults, the two people in charge of our family. We didn't consider them our friends, they were our parents. They were the heirarchy of the family unit.
I had three brothers who Dad took hunting and did all the father-son activities with. That's just the way it was. We obviously did lots of family activities too but there was never a dull moment. You were never without a playing partner or buddy because you always had a sibling to play catch with or kick-the-can. We never knew any different. We were never 'bored'. We never complained we had nothing to do, like the kids do today. They are afforded all the resources one would want NOT TO BE BORED, but yet they manage to be slugs.
As my colleague, Tanya, wrote in her Mother's Day column, I too can totally relate to putting your parent in a box. The relationship I had with my Dad was exactly that.....he was my Dad. He was the bread winner, he was my protector, he treated us all the same and he always made sure that none of us kids had a worry in the world. But the thing I will remember most of all about my Dad, was how much he loved my Mom. That pure, unconditional, unspoken love.
Looking back, I now understand and appreciate all the sacrifices my parents made for us. We never felt deprived or talked back to our parents because we thought our friends had lives better than us. We didn't know any better and I think we all turned out okay.
I was privileged enough to spend many evenings with my Dad the last years of his life and I got to know him outside of a parent relationship. He was a pretty cool guy. We talked about many things that I never, ever thought I'd discuss with my Dad. And right to the end, all he wanted for me was to be happy. Well Dad, I'm happy and Mom is once again happy because you are back with her.
Like I said a year ago. Although you are no longer with me, I want you to know how much I loved you and how lucky I was that you were in my life. I want you to know that I am thinking of you and will miss you always. You were the greatest Dad in the world and I will always love you. Thank you for being my Dad!
Facebook Saying: Your life is God's gift to you. What you do with it is your gift back to God.
Pet Peeve of the Week: My complaint this week is littering. Yes the seemingly careless event of rolling down your window and throwing out ice cream wrappers, cigarette containers, Kleenex, fast food containers or anything else that you don't want in your car. Really people! What is wrong with you? Take some pride in your city and your own personal cleanliness and morals.
Maybe that's just meLet me know what you think!
Reader Feedback: Your article on 'What really happens' caught my attention. Very well stated. I think today's young generation will one day be in for a rude wake-up call regarding what life is all about & that goes for parents as well! I commend you for writing it.....thx. Carl Dyck
