A Very Special Dad

DAD: A son's first hero A daughter's first love

As Fathers Day in Australia is today, my thoughts turn to my own dad,- my idol- my hero. He was simply "gold" to me. I thought of all of the laps I swam, both training and racing, with him always poolside. I thought of all of the moments we shared during my teenage years, even the turbulent ones and of his evident pride in walking me down the isle on my wedding day. I lost him after a second heart attack 44 yrs ago . He was just 61 yrs old.

My mum was the glue that held us together, but dad was the anchor upon which the family stood.

Most people of my generation (low end of the Baby Boomer scale), have no doubt lost their parents by now, so Fathers Day is a bitter-sweet occasion for many of us.

As I reminisce, I realise that I never really told him how important and special he was in my life. It strikes me that, so typical of my generation and earlier ones, we never ever said how we felt. Now in my later years, I finally realise what should have been said and never was.

So my lovely dad, I hope I added sparkle to your life. I love you still.