20 August 2011

i'm grateful for . . . 'my papa's health & great fathers'

Greetings all,
This weekend's I'm Grateful For is . . . my papa's health - he's all clear from mid week cataract surgery.  Not normally a nervous man & he loves medical intervention, however, with 50% sight in his other eye, this was confronting, if it didn't go well, where would his eye sight be??  As it happens, the surgery corrected his eye so well, after 65 years of wearing glasses . . . he doesn't need them anymore.  He was excitedly telling me it's like a celebrity eye makeover, ok Dad, what was he reading in the waiting room??!!
I'm thinking of sweet Jane at Life on Planet Baby blog, as she lost her father this week.  I'm so lucky . . . pace makers, stents, bolts & now plastic in his eyes . . . i'm fortunate to still have this amazing positive influence in my world.  Our eldest chose 'Grandad' as the star of her recent history assignment (like a relic) & we all learned from his incredible memory details of his first jobs, long career in the Navy & above all, his love for our mother, who needs him more than ever (Alzheimer's Disease).  The assignment scored an A+ for the most interesting presentation & credit to Grandad. 
FYI he thinks the most important invention in his life time has been the Jumbo Jet - world wide travel should be for everyone.  Right on Dad!!  He was born in the 1930's Depression in Australia, raised in poverty & joined the Navy to see the world - good thing he did as he met Mum in England, otherwise, we wouldn't be here!!  He took us around the world a dozen times on Jumbo Jets during our school years. 
 I love the expression "to be a great Father to your children, you just need to love their Mother".   
We might go months between visits but my father loves how affectionate our children are, like we saw them yesterday.  Our first born is named after him, she considers herself 'the favourite'. 
The saying 'Daddys' girls marry their Fathers' is creepy but true.  I might not have realised it 15 years ago - but . . . right down to the hearing loss, bad ankles & supreme sense of responsibility like military service, i did exactly that.  No need to tell you what a great father my husband is to our 4 children, i bang on about it enough on this blog. 
 
 Getting sick of my Lego soldier series yet??  There are more.
My husband is VERY aware of how much time he spends away from this little bloke, how it affects him & how he'll grow up to be a fantastic father too.  I think it's quality.  My father was in the Navy for 30+ years, my brothers are amazing husbands & fathers.  Dad is the true patriach of our family, his greatest joy was having 4 children, who created a generation of 14 grandchildren.  He'd like me to add 'we're not Catholic' - he was raised Church of England, that was very important to him, that he was NOT Irish Catholic. 
When my husband is home, he's "home", he can't exactly practise soldiering in suburban Canberra . . . it's like my father - he couldn't exactly park an air craft carrier in our pool . . . it's ALL about quality when they're home - mucking around with wood & nails in the shed, to baking sponges & licking the beaters in the kitchen.  Love Posie

21 comments:

Maxabella said...

That's a beautiful expression - to be a great father to your children, you need to love their mother. The reverse is true too, of course.

I love that.

x

Amy said...

I hadn't heard that saying before- To be a great father to your children, you need to love their mother. It gave me goosebumps.

Good to hear your Dad is doing well after his op.

leanne can blog said...

Lovely to hear about your dad, It's great that he is such a great father and grandfather.

polkadotpeticoat said...

I adore that expression also!

Anonymous said...

LOVE that saying and it is so true!!

Glad your dad is okay :)

x

Kellie said...

Wow! Really love that saying. How powerful!
And have just a little giggle at the celebrity eye makeover! Too cute! :)

Mrs Flying Blind... said...

True x

mel @ loved handmade said...

That is a lovely expression, very true! Cheers to your Dad's good health..x

Unknown said...

very cute and yes it's a beautiful expression.

Anonymous said...

Hello. And Bye.

TexWisGirl said...

what a great post. so glad you still have your great father, with his new-and-improved eyesight! how wonderful that must be for him!

gretbert said...

So sweet. My dad is still my superhero :)

~*~ saskia ~*~ said...

Aw, that is one precious post, Posie.
Have a sweetest of Sundays xxx

Jane said...

Thanks, Jennie, you sweetheart. I'm so pleased to hear your Dad is recovering well. J x

Being Me said...

This is a lovely post. I'm so glad for your dad his surgery went so well he can ditch the glasses! And I remember very fondly the times spent in the tool shed with my dad and his hammers, nails, wood and projects. Good times.

Anonymous said...

So glad your dad is recovering well. I didn't know about your mum, she is blessed to be part of a beautiful, warm supportive family like yours xxx

Unknown said...

Beautiful post Posie. There is nothing as lovely as strong caring men doing their utmost to be wonderful fathers and grandfathers.

Miriam said...

I think being truly present with them is such a gift to our children. It's so nice that both your dad and hubby model that characteristic.

Tas said...

Beautiful post Jen. Glad that things went well for your dad.

xx

posie blogs Jennie McClelland said...

If my father knew what a blog was & that you were thinking of him, he'd be really chuffed, thanks ladies, love Posie

Sam said...

What a lovely post, yes you are very lucky, my kids will never meet either of their grandads, as they have both passed away. My Dad would have been a lovely grandfather and would have enjoyed every minute of it, he really died before his time. Grandparents are so special. x Sam