My Dad

Yesterday was Father's Day in Australia, so my thoughts turned to my Dad... So much to be grateful for.

Giving thanks:

• The way he loves my Mum. Completely. Unconditonally. He still says she is the most beautiful girl in the world. And means it.
• The move he made at the age of 38 from a country town of 2000 people where he was born, to the city  to provide opportunity for my sister and I.
• Very different politics. And the ensuing debates.
• Watching storms together on the front porch. Silent. Content.
• The really bad dancing he did. Surely (hopefully) for our amusement.
• Piggy backs to bed.
• Seeing the way he serves my mother.
• His love for clocks. The familiar and comforting sound of ticking.
• For sayings that will live on for generations.
• His advice to me about marriage. And seeing him live it.
• Meat & three veg whilst my Mum was at work. Apple, orange or banana for dessert.
• Work first, play later. 
• Lessons that you should never expect life to be perfect. 
• Cricket in the driveway.
• Dad watching me play sport. I couldn't have tried harder to impress him! 
• "Ho Ho Ho"-ing around the house at Christmas. Mustered more joy than any Santa could.
• Clean cars and mown lawns.
• An education in football.
• The fact he is still learning - going to a weekly discussion group re current affairs.
• Routine, routine, routine. It's in my blood.
• The memory of a winning grand final together at the MCG.
• His competitive spirit.
• Putting up with me as a teenager. I argued. A lot. 
• He wouldn't let me kick a footy because it wasn't ladylike. How ironic now that I have four boys!
• Encouraging good posture. Telling me to get my head up and shoulders back, and swing those arms, while he looked for the lost coins! 
• Though strong willed and stubborn, he still listens to me.