Faith of our Fathers

Today is Father's Day. What does that really mean? You go out and buy a card and find a present that you think he'll like or take him out for a meal. You might even go so far as to spend the day with him. But how often do we really stop to think about what our fathers have meant to us in our lives. Because mom is the usually the nurturing person, we probably do that more often for her. So today, I sit down to think about an record my thoughts on my dad.

He's a lot like his dad, my grampie Bill. I remember my grandfather but he did die just weeks after my 9th birthday. My dad is quiet like him, doesn't often show great emotion, but feels deeply, and when he does show it, it comes out very strongly.

My mother was the disciplinarian in our lives, but when she was frustrated with the four of us, she would often threaten dad on us. "Wait til your father gets home!" That didn't scare us, despite his threat of giving us a "tin ear", but we desperately did not want him to think badly of us and we surely didn't want to let him down. I'm not sure why we felt that way, I think perhaps because underneath we did understand how deeply his emotions run.

He spanked me once in my life and I deserved it. At the time, my older sister and I were in one of those can't stop laughing modes, so it wasn't until long afterward that I was ashamed that I put him in that position. He has the "patience of Job" which is probably another reason by the spanking incident was so relevent. I know without a doubt that he didn't want to do it.

He has always been there for us in his quiet way. He is the most ingenious, creative man I know. We never worried as kids about anything breaking because we confidently knew dad could and would fix it. And he did. His talents know no bounds in all honesty. We admired that about him and it gave us an amazing comfort level that he would take care of the world for us.

He built our house literally with his own two hands (and it took him a year by himself). He built things in there that professionals said couldn't be done but he did it. He designed the house and drew the plans - builders have told us since that his drawings are not the work of an architect but of an artist - so detailed and so perfect they are. It's the way he approaches anything. And if you ask him for help, there is no procrastination, no "I'll get to it when I can." He is at your service 24-7. Small job or huge, he never complains.

His grandchildren have a tradition with him, that when he sees each of them he gives them a twoonie. They call it Grampie Aulie's "Save the Children Fund". And now he's added great grandchildren to the happy hand-outs.

He is a confident man in his own way, but a very humble one. He doesn't need attention but likes to sit back and enjoy the chaos of family around him. Like my grandfather.

At 80, he was downhill skiing this past winter for the last time. He and my mom began to worry too much about each other on the hill - and they always said when that time came, they would give it up. They both loved it, and it kept them active and healthy. They will stay active with their many, many creative talents. This September 1st, they will have been married 60 years and they still hold hands. That marriage is an inspiration to all who know them.

I don't think I've told my dad how much he means to his family... we don't have serious discussion very often I'm ashamed to say because I know I can still learn a lot from him and about him. I plan to do that more often.

I was also blessed to have a wonderful father-in-law who passed away in 2000. He told me when I got engaged to his son, that if David ever made me unhappy, I just had to go see him and he'd take care of it. He treated both his daughters-in-law like his own. He was a great storyteller, a big tease and a super grandfather. He and Vesta were married 61 years, and like my parents theirs was a steadfast marriage survived by war. He was a hero to his family, his friends and the community (after all Morell Park is named for him!) I still miss his twinkling blue eyes and genuine laugh. He made life fun.

On this Father's Day I honour both my dads. I love you more than you probably know!