Another year another memory about Father’s Day. It’s been a long time since I heard my father’s voice, but I can still hear him on the phone calling and leaving his one-word message, “Dad” and that’s my cue to call him back long distance.
I’m still talking to him long distance, but he’s available 24/7 now. I miss our lunches in Hamilton and Oakville when we talked about everything under the sun, including his library borrowing habits. At the end of his life, Dad was mobile, using a scooter to go to the library, but only on good days. I would come in and take him out for groceries on sale at several locations and then our favourite lunch at Swiss Chalet. The waitress knew us well and brought a bread basket over while we decided on the menu items, and Dad would always try to pay but not on my watch.
After lunch, we went to get his hair trimmed and shopping at the local Sally Ann where he took an inordinate amount of time checking out the wares.
I went to pay for the purchases with my debit card but he thought it was a credit card, and wouldn’t accept it, so the cashier showed him how I used the card, and he was amazed. I showed him my receipt and then my cash in my account, and then he felt better, knowing that it wasn’t a credit card.
Upon leaving there we meandered home with a bag of goodies and I stayed for another cup of tea while Dad unpacked his prized possessions and I talked to Mom. This happened on a regular basis and its these types of visits that I miss about my Father, the hugs, the kisses, the voice of his and memories like these that I treasure forever.
All I want to impart to everyone is a Happy Father’s Day and if your Dad is still alive, call him, show up or just be there for him in any capacity you can. Trust me you will regret it if you don’t.
Gail Pearce Siemko
Gail Siemko 