In Honour of a Father

Every Father's Day brings with it many thoughts about my Dad. So many good thoughts and memories.

He died of colorectal cancer in March 2000 a few hours after my 4th son was born.

Growing up my Dad was known for his loud country music blaring from his truck stereo as he worked away at tinkering in our backyard. He was also known for the Dukes of Hazzard horn that also sang from said truck...

He was generous, when it came to helping out friends and family with anything they needed, and supportive of his children in his quiet, fatherly way.

In death I heard stories of him helping anyone he came across. People locked out of their homes, flat tires needing to be changed, tune ups and anything else required in the automotive department, even escorting a father to pick his son from the local police station after a minor incident (that young boy is still paying for that favour through being married to me).

He had the most prized garden in town. And a crop of rhubarb that people are still talking about today.

He loved to drink, well maybe he didn't love to but for him it was a necessity. It's all he knew, it was what he was taught by his own father. I remember how that affected my childhood. I remember he quit drinking too and began to enjoy the company of his family more just before I reached teenhood.

He was passionate about his beliefs that all people deserved to be treated with respect and dignity, unless they pissed him off.

He loved me, my sister and brother dearly. He loved my Mother with all of his heart, even after they divorced.

He was a dedicated firefighter and gave 110% to that love.

Now that he has been gone for 10 years and I have grown in my journey and my wisdom, I can see that my father was intuitive and sensitive. He was as healthy as he could be for someone that never once visited a doctor in the whole time I can remember. He was the first person to introduce me to alternative holistic practices when he offered me flower essences to bring me peace after the death of my infant son.

If my dad was alive today to see what I am doing with my life, to see what I have accomplished I know that he would be cheering with his loudest voice, he would be my biggest fan, because he got me. He understood my passion, because he was passionate. He understood my desire for something better, because he desired something better.

I didn't see this while he was living. Though I appreciated and loved him more than words can say, I didn't see the richness of our connection. I didn't see the depth at which his lessons and his experiences taught me and brought me to where I am today.

The more I experience life, and move through various lessons, the one lesson that I can take from my Father is that of Being True to Oneself, Always.

He was without a doubt, always true to himself.

That was something you could depend upon.

He was Stan Tymec. My Dad.