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Tuesday 18 December 2007

Two questions, one answer.......

David’s (Authorblog) question this week is actually two:
  • If you got the chance to go back to your childhood, whom would you like to say thank you to?
  • When did you last write or receive a love letter?
If you would like to join in here’s what David would like you to do: Please answer today's question on your own blog, any time until next weekend. Just link to this blog (or to this post) so I can follow the progress of the discussion.


If I could go back to my childhood I would like to thank the person who has been the biggest influence in my life - my Dad. Luckily he is still with us, so I get to thank him without going back to my youth!



I do wish though that I had paid more attention, when I was a teenager, to what he told me, instead of thinking I knew everything – like teenagers do. I could have saved myself a lot of heartache. My Dad is the wisest person I know, and a man totally in touch with his feminine side, which in my book is so important.



When I was being bullied at school my Dad didn’t teach me to hit back, he taught me to be able to laugh at myself. If people are making fun of you, he explained, laugh with them - if they see you laughing at yourself they will stop tormenting you because the object of the exercise is to make you cry and if you’re not crying it’s fruitless! He taught me integrity and honesty. I once told him I knew someone at school had cheated in a test and got really good marks, he explained that they had only cheated themselves because if they didn’t know the answers the good marks meant nothing.



Dad taught me to always try my best at everything, no-one can expect more than your best, he told me, your best will always be good enough. He also taught me the joy of giving, the warm feeling you get by helping someone with whatever you are able to give – it doesn’t have to be money, your time is the greatest gift you can give.



Dad taught me to be compassionate and caring, to think of others, to make sacrifices. I am known as ‘Mrs Do As You Would Be Done By’, a philosophy my Dad instilled in me from an early age. Before you do anything think ‘how would I feel if someone did that to me’, if you wouldn’t like it then don’t do it, he insisted. He taught me that children are precious, to be nurtured and cherished, educated not only in facts but in emotions.



The most important thing my Dad taught me was unconditional love. A love so true and pure that it can lift you to heights some people can only dream of.



So my darling Dad – I thank you with all my heart for the lessons you taught me and for being the greatest Dad that anyone could wish for.



I Love You.
xxxx




Today was the last time I wrote a love letter.






+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
UPDATE ON MY DAD
Dad's doing fantastically well. Although officially he is supposed to use both crutches all the time for six weeks he's getting about on one and sometimes even none around the house! He's walked down to the local tram and gone to a neighbouring town playing bridge, he's even been on the bus! He's upbeat and eating well now (thank goodness, his eating has been a realy worry!). He's looking forward to spring to get out into his beloved garden and planning exactly which bits he's going to dig up. The new hip has given Dad a new lease of life. :)

34 comments:

CG said...

Oh, my dear, I have tears in my eyes. What a wonderful post! You and your day are truly special people!!!

Little Wing said...

What a beautiful tribute to your dad, very moving.
Yes he is a very wise man.
So glad he is doing well now.
I posted my Crazy Eight Meme by the way!

Queenie said...

The one thing you didn't mention is how much fun your dad is at get-to gethers, just like you. I think my nan is the person I most would like to say thank you to and Barb. There are so many reasons for this, some I have to keep mum about...

Mother of Invention said...

I'd thank my parents and many teachers. I had a wonderful childhood and many had a hand in that.

Love letter? Hmmm..haven't done that since last Valentine's Day! How lucky you are!

Glad your dad is motoring along so well!

buffalodick said...

I'm glad you have that kind of relationship with your dad. It's great that his new hip is working out so well- both mentally and physically!

Flowerpot said...

delighted to hear your dad is doing so well - really has changed his life hasn't it? I'd like to say thank you tom y maternal grandmother who was a real star and died when I was in my early twenties. She was truly amazing.

katie eggeman said...

A great tribute to your dad and I am so glad he is doing so well. We both know what it is like to walk on crutches, armpit hell. So I can see why he might want to give them up once in a while.

Cream said...

My mother because she brought us kids single-handed when my father was in prison during the Algerian war. One day I will write about it.
Love letters? It's about time I wrote one.

Cream said...

A cheer for your dad.
Hip, Hip, hurrah!!!

Gledwood said...

"love letter" ... that is a contentious phrase I don't know if I've ever written a soppy love letter ever!!!!

I have written letters to lost loves but by the time I wrote usually they are lost

boo-hoo

Akelamalu said...

Thank you cg x

Cheers Little Wing, I'll be over to read your Meme. :)

He is good fun isn't he Queenie, I suppose I do take after him a little. :)

Happy childhoods should be a right MOI, glad you had one! :)

Cheers Buffalo. xx

You must miss your Grandma Flowerpot xx

He's supposed to stay on the crutches for 6 weeks Bankerchick but I don't think he will somehow! ;)

Your mother sound like a wonderful woman Cream, I'd love to read the story. Thanks for the cheers for my Dad. Get writing that letter, no time like the present! ;)


Aw Gleds, for Christmas I wish a special person for you that you can write love letters to. xx

Cindy said...

What a wonderful tribute to your Dad! I hope he is doing well.

smarmoofus said...

That is a beautiful letter! Now would you please write one to my father and tell him how much I appreciate him? I should really find the words.

I'm sorry for this, but I'm tagging you for Crazy Eights. You're not obligated, but I do hope you'll play.

Unknown said...

What a beautiful tribute to the man you call Dad. He is so lucky to have you as his daughter.
Blessings to both of you. I guess the acorn really does not drop far from the tree.

Akelamalu said...

Dad's doing great Cindy, thanks.:)

Pick up a pen and let your heart write the letter to your Dad Smarmoofus, the words will come. I did the Crazy Eight meme just a week ago today so I'll give it a miss if you don't mind. x

What a lovely thing to say Dave, blessing to you to. x

lettuce said...

this is a lovely post - and i'm glad he's doing so well.

Travis Cody said...

Your dad sounds wonderful.

Mimi Lenox said...

Awww.....that's great news about your dad. I love reading about the two of you. It is so sweet. And your take on this post is exceptional. Well done. Great writing.

Queenie said...

Forgot about the love letter, Mmmmmm let me think , Errrrr,mmmm its that long I can't remember, thats not a good thing...

Ron said...

Morning Akelamalu~

Your Dad sounds like a wonderfully WISE and LOVING human being!

Like Father...like Daughter!

Thank you for sharing this beautiful post!

Have a GREAT day!!!!!

P.S. SO glad to hear Dads healing well!

Akelamalu said...

Thanks Lettie, your thoughts are appreciated. x

I think so Travis :)

Aw thankyou Mimi I take that as a real compliment. x

Your post yesterday was a love letter Queenie! :)

He is Ron and thankyou for your lovely words. x

CS said...

That's a lovely letter to your Dad - sounds like you have a wonderful relationship with him.

Akelamalu said...

I do have the most fantastic relatioinship with my Dad cs, thanks. x

~ej said...

what a great tribute to your dad!! :) you're a lucky lady to have such a great man in your life :)
glad to hear he's doing so well post-surgery....roll on springtime :)

Akelamalu said...

You're right Elena I am very lucky to have him. x

Jo Beaufoix said...

Your dad sounds amazing and indeed very wise.
He sounds like my Gran. I lost her when I was 11 and she left a huge gap.
And I send Mr B silly texts and emails a couple of times a week. Do they count?

david mcmahon said...

Hi Pearl,

Thatw as just beautiful. Your father gave you some wonderful words of wisdom and what a beautiful forum you've chosen to honour your deep love for him.

I'm back home now, after a very quick journey to Singapore and India - and yours is the first blog I've visited to comment.

I shot 2000 photographs in the eight days I was away - and it's SO SO good to be home!

Keep smiling

David

Akelamalu said...

You must miss your gran terribly Jo, some people do leave a void don't they? Silly texts can be love notes!

Thankyou David. Good to have you back, can't wait to see your photographs. :)

Mary said...

Your Dad is awesome! I'm glad he is doing so well.

My Dad was also a great influence in my life. He passed in '81 and I still miss him. Cherish yours while he is with you.

I tell my grandsons that all anyone should expect is for them to do their best and if they are putting forth all of their efforts that's all that can be expected of them.

Merry Christmas,
Mary

Akelamalu said...

Thanks Mary. x
You must miss your Dad so much, I know I would miss mine :(

GEWELS said...

I also have tears in my eyes.
He is so lucky to have such a wonderful daughter as yourself.

Mele Kalikimaka Akela!

That's Merry Christmas in Hawaiian

Akelamalu said...

Thankyou Gewels my friend.

And a Very Merry Christmas to you too. xx

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