(Posted on former website 6.16.2013)
Today is Father’s Day and I want to update my FaceBook status with accolades and love about my dad. For those who know my dad, he is a quiet, honest and steadfast man. Since he was young, he thought of the needs of his family above his own. He would stick up for the underdog and worked hard all his life. He wanted his children to have security and a better life than he had. And today I reveal something about my dad that few know…his tough, serious exterior masks a sensitive soul.
With that said, I wanted to create a Father’s Day tribute to my dad that was different. I then I remembered a special letter my Grandma Burns wrote me about my dad; enclosed with this letter, was a letter my dad wrote to his Grandma Pearce. I share these letters because I believe who we are as children represents the soul of who we are as adults. So, in reality, I’m not writing about my dad, he is, as well as his mother.
With that said, I wanted to create a Father’s Day tribute to my dad that was different. I then I remembered a special letter my Grandma Burns wrote me about my dad; enclosed with this letter, was a letter my dad wrote to his Grandma Pearce. I share these letters because I believe who we are as children represents the soul of who we are as adults. So, in reality, I’m not writing about my dad, he is, as well as his mother.
My Grandma wrote, “I hope Barb you will keep this and treasure it as I have - I have read and reread it so many times and cried each time. It is beginning to fade, but still keep it Barb.”
My dad’s letter is dated December 17, 1941; he was ten years old. The world was at war and my dad had just returned home from the hospital. He wrote to his Grandma Pearce:
Dear Grandma, I just thought I would write you that I am home and getting along OK. I can go outside now quite abit. Gayle and Barrie pull me sometimes on the sleigh….I still think a ruptured appendix is better than having bombs dropping around you. My stomach was pretty sore for a few days but I used to lie on my back and think of all the suffering there must be over in London and other parts and maybe not enough Doctors and nurses to care for them all. But Grandma I do pray for them all every night…I do think prayers are answered sometimes don’t you? …Allan
My Grandma wrote in her letter to me:
Your dad was such a ‘lovable’ little boy - he was always different from Ronald and Barry – he loved children – when Gayle was born he told me he was going to have a 1000 – I said, “Oh Allan, you’ll have to make a lot of money to buy shoes for all of them”.
I had a tiny rocking chair and he would sit and nurse Gayle and give her, her bottle.
When he had his operation, when he was able to be up and we went to see him, we would find him in the Children’s Ward wheeling little ones around or amusing them.
Before Barry was born he wanted a little sister – he always believed in “prayer” but he started praying too late, but he kept on and he finally got a little sister – no wonder he believes in prayer.
Barb if you two ever have a family – you dad may not show and make a fuss – as some can do – if they mean it – but in his heart he will really and truly love them.
You’ll be sick of my rambling – but you are the only one I felt would keep this letter and treasure it as I have done – please do Barb.
I do treasure dad’s letter, Grandma…as well as yours. Thank you for giving me the dad I have. I am blessed.
My dad’s letter is dated December 17, 1941; he was ten years old. The world was at war and my dad had just returned home from the hospital. He wrote to his Grandma Pearce:
Dear Grandma, I just thought I would write you that I am home and getting along OK. I can go outside now quite abit. Gayle and Barrie pull me sometimes on the sleigh….I still think a ruptured appendix is better than having bombs dropping around you. My stomach was pretty sore for a few days but I used to lie on my back and think of all the suffering there must be over in London and other parts and maybe not enough Doctors and nurses to care for them all. But Grandma I do pray for them all every night…I do think prayers are answered sometimes don’t you? …Allan
My Grandma wrote in her letter to me:
Your dad was such a ‘lovable’ little boy - he was always different from Ronald and Barry – he loved children – when Gayle was born he told me he was going to have a 1000 – I said, “Oh Allan, you’ll have to make a lot of money to buy shoes for all of them”.
I had a tiny rocking chair and he would sit and nurse Gayle and give her, her bottle.
When he had his operation, when he was able to be up and we went to see him, we would find him in the Children’s Ward wheeling little ones around or amusing them.
Before Barry was born he wanted a little sister – he always believed in “prayer” but he started praying too late, but he kept on and he finally got a little sister – no wonder he believes in prayer.
Barb if you two ever have a family – you dad may not show and make a fuss – as some can do – if they mean it – but in his heart he will really and truly love them.
You’ll be sick of my rambling – but you are the only one I felt would keep this letter and treasure it as I have done – please do Barb.
I do treasure dad’s letter, Grandma…as well as yours. Thank you for giving me the dad I have. I am blessed.
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