Happy Father’s Day – Donald Ernest Pearce #WarmWishes

This is the first year that my Dad, isn’t with us physically; although I am still strongly tied to
him emotionally ,lovingly and of course, genetically with all of my Pearce traits! You see I was his only daughter, that’s right, Daddy’s little girl, and it was even more special since my brother is eight years older than myself……almost like being an only child.

My Dad was born, on a very cold December morning in 1926, the youngest of a family of seven children, originally from Southampton , England, and lived in the east end of Hamilton, Ontario. I have heard all of his stories and tales of growing up in a large family where everyone had to work, especially during the years that we were at war.

Dad and I shared a few common traits, besides the blonde hair, blue eyes, good natured, youngest to be born, etc. and at times were total opposites.
For example, the way he would make me cut coupons and make car routes out, in advance of our weekly grocery shopping. Now I use, my iPad, and online purchases, to save money on gas and negotiating parking spots at the mall, something that Dad, was not very interested in or trusting!

I distinctly remember the time,we were at one of his Favourite stores in Hamilton, the Goodwill when we went to pay for our purchases, I proceeded to use my debit card…….my Dad’s loud voice clearly shouting, GAIL VALERIE PEARCE, STOP! To which I replied what? Those cards are the devils work; I said that these cards take the cash from my account it is not a credit card. Well then show me how the cash comes from that card? So there I am at the cash register with an 85-year-old father yelling at me, on my left and the young man at the register, not knowing whether to laugh or ask again for the $7.50. I leaned over to the young man at the register, and asked him to please, just hand me the $2.50 cash back quickly or I might be grounded for life!

My Dad did not believe in Credit cards, loans, or mortgages, you HAD TO SAVE up for what you wanted to purchase! My entire young life was a weekly excursion to the Province of Ontario Savings Bank, Library, outside Market, and paying the bills in CASH! That’s how I learned to use the “ENVELOPE ” method. Once the money was gone out of your envelope, you had to wait until allowance or PAY DAY! And these are the same skills set that I have shown both my sons.

Another Daddy’s little girl trait that bestowed upon me was the annual, AMERICA BEAUTY PAGENT, even though I was only five years old, and already sleeping, when that PAGENT came on, it was my cue. I heard the singing, HERE SHE COMES, MISS AMERICA, YOO HOO, I SAID HERE SHE COMES, MISS AMERICA, and that meant it was my moment. I was urged on by my Moms clapping and Dads singing, the Television blaring, and off I went down the long hallway, three times, then right back to bed! My Dad had made me crown out of tinfoil that I so proudly displayed at school the next day; although I am surprised now, looking back that no teacher questioned me being up late, ha ha.

I have so many vivid memories of my LIFE, at a very young age, and onwards, shall share them with you. Today is such a SPECIAL DAY for me and my Father, since he passed away ten weeks ago and it’s the first one without giving him my hug. The following is a poem that I have dedicated to my wonderful Father, on this day, June 15, 2014.

Daddy’s Little Girl

Their lives are becoming more of a whirl,
The years go by and the seasons swirl,
She’s his one-of-a-kind precious pearl,
And she will always be daddy’s little girl.

Dear Dad I love you, around the world and through the skies, around the moon a million times, and that’s a lot!!!!