| Product: |
Everything about my dad! |
| Date: |
03/05/08 (245 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: He's my dad
Disadvantages: There's no one like him !
I would like to introduce you to my dad. He's my hero, my idol; the very best son, brother, husband and father a family could ever have. I'm revealing everything l can about my dad - well, almost everything! Every person has his dark side so I'm talking about his brighter side and a little bit about other stuff.
Setting the Scenario:
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Date: D-day, 1946 (the second anniversary)
Place: A Small Village Near Murcia, Spain
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Imagine a village with only one small place and one phone line to the outside world. Sixty-one years ago there wasn't internet or even a telephone in people's homes in this village - only this one phone line, yes! This was very expensive to use and was only for urgent matters.
My granddad and grandmother already had six daughters, and granddad went to work as usual on the second anniversary of D-day, 06-06-1946. In a very rainy morning, my dad was born. I know, spooky! From a big family of 6 sisters. His position was the seventh after 6 girls in a row! So you can imagine in what way he was treated!
My grandmother sent a young boy to where my granddad was working to tell him the great news about the new baby boy. He was in such a happy shock to hear that he had a son at last that he left everything and ran to see the baby! He could scarcely believe it himself until he saw the proof! Yes it was a boy!
My grandma always swore to us that he was dancing with joy (although it was hard to believe her as he was a very strict man and hardly laughed); in this one-off occasion he cracked a smile for the first time in years.
His six sisters ran to see their little brother; when they looked at him naked they all were completely taken out by surprise!! "Never seen that before," they giggled and pinched each other.
My grandma told me that that day was so very memorable that my granddad recorded his son's birth date and time (even with the minutes) on his precious wardrobe door; he invited all his friends and family to his house to see his masterpiece baby. In fact, he even arranged for a hand painted portrait of him that we still have after more than 60 years.
Naming The Baby: The Big Argument
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What shall we call him? Every one was suggesting names but my granddad was very stubborn. Yes, he wanted his choice only, just as he had with the six girls. Finally, with some persuading of his wife, the boy's mother, he agreed to let her choose, as long as he could add a middle name of his own choice! So my dad had a compound name: Peter Sámi. Of course, every one called him Sámi.
Growing up: Indulged and Protected
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You can imagine how he must have been spoiled: the only boy and with 6 older sisters! His sisters carried him everywhere, taking turns from hand to hand. He hardly walked even when he was able! His mum breastfed him until the age of four. I don't know how my grandma managed to do it. She was very protective of her only son. She let his hair grew longer and dressed him in girls' clothes to drive the evil eyes away from him. No one thought this strange, though, as he was as pretty as a picture and everyone thought he was a girl.
Looking at the only photo he had as a baby (photos were very expensive then: it cost half my granddad's wages to pay for it) I can see a beautiful baby around 11 months old with very long dark hair tied in a ponytail.
He was sent to the best schools. His dad made sure he had the very best education any child could have. Like most boys, his dream was to be a football player, but his dad never let him consider it.
He was a polite teenager: he always came home early, helped his mum and did his home work; he loved and cared for his older sisters.
Rebellion?
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At the age of 13 he had his first cigarette, and since then he has enjoyed it! One of the days when he was smoking in secret, his dad caught him red handed. For the first time in his life granddad hit his treasured son. However provoked, this was a one off, my dad told me; he never again hit him in his life.
His Career and Meeting My Mum
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My dad trained to be a pilot and worked for many airlines as an assistant pilot and then as a pilot. He traveled all over the world and picked up a souvenir from each place he visited.
One day the airline company was introducing some new staff. The captain (as they used to call him) should be available to greet new staff, so he was there as usual. Well, I must admit he always had the look, very good looking with beautiful blue eyes, tall dark and handsome. He never had problem with attracting ladies; he was very charming and very gentlemanly.
This time, though, standing there was a beautiful young lady in blue air hostess uniform. I wonder now what caught his eyes first. Was it the long dark hair? Was it the big green eyes? Or was it the dazzling figure in mini skirt? I think it was the last one!
Anyway, in 6 months' time they were married. They were always working each flight together until the time when my twin sister and I came along after 7 years. You just can imagine how happy they were together, and how happy to have us, especially my dad.
When my mum had us she insisted on going back to work when we were a couple of years old. When she went back my dad had to sacrifice his career to look after us. I can remember my dad as early as 3 years old. He loved us so much and always cared for us! Shame he had to leave his uniform for us until we reached the age of 5, when my mum decided to retire and finally my dad got back to his job. My mum was the tough person, with a strong personality, while my dad was the softie. He used to play with us in the park; he even played with the dolls with us. My sister was with my mum most of the time while I liked being with my dad most of the time. I remember him taking me swimming; we sang together; he put me to sleep every night and he read us a good night story.
His Role As A Husband And Dad
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He was very kind, caring loving person, I never saw him argue with my mum or under estimate her in any way. She was the bossy one, with her strong personality and he was the passionate person.
He was every girl's "Mr. Right!" (at least in my eyes). He was always there for us. He was a great husband. He never forgot my mum's birthday or their anniversary even after 30 odd years of successful marriage. Always he surprises her with gifts and flowers; he is very understanding and values his relationship with his wife and family. "But is he happy with his love life?" I asked him once, and he looked at me and smiled. Sometimes you don't need to talk; eyes can say it all.
As a teenager I had my ups and downs but he was always there for me, supporting and listening to my constant nagging, giving me his advice on every problem I faced. We had a very close relationship - l felt he was like my soul-mate to understand and comfort me so well. I can remember his sweet look and his warm hands , he always had that look that I never forget.
No Longer Young? His Illness
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Every time I remember this incident I am terrified. At the age of 50 he had a heart attack and very nearly he was gone. He stayed in the hospital for 2 months. I spent all these months sitting outside his room crying. I couldn't stand my life without my dad. Looking at him there in the hospital I felt hopeless and helpless, wishing I was there instead of him; cross that my wish was never granted.
After 2 long months he regained his strength and gradually got back on his feet. I felt relieved; I had my daddy back! It was as if a missed part of my life had come back again.
My Ideal Prince Charming
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I grew up looking for him in every person I met, every friend I talked to. No one has ever been quite the same. I can never find him in any one. Sometimes I blame his over-loving us and his raising our expectations, because of his generosity with emotions. I can't find any person that is near him in any way. Can l blame him for so much mischief in my private life because he was so perfectly rare? My dad has always been my ideal Prince Charming. I have kept looking for his like. Maybe one day I will find it or maybe it will stay as a dream.
Missing You Daddy
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Now at the age of 61, he still has his sparkle. With his silver grey hair and smiley eyes, he is still my gorgeous dad that I will never forget what he has sacrificed for us.
Separation away from him is the hardest part in my life. Because I'm here to work, it has been almost 2 years since I saw him, He is not familiar with the internet so it's phone calls only. I try to speak to him every day and I am still missing him a lot.
He is always in my memory's eyes that charming young fellow with his Airline Pilot's uniform that married my mum.
Hopefully I will be visiting him this Christmas, and l can't wait to see him.
I love you dad! You will always be my prince charming
Thanks for reading.
© karimkha May,
2008
P.S: This review was posted on ciao as well under the same username.
Summary: This is my dad.
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kiran8 - 26/09/08 Excellent write up....love going through your reviews , they are all interesting and different :) |
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