A Post About Our Dads, for Father’s Day

 

I’m guest blogging for Sam today, and what we wanted to do was start a comment chain about our Dads. The idea came from our Father’s Day Midlife Crisis promotion, in which folks send us pics of their Dad and we use our ScanCafe magic to digitally give their Dads a midlife crisis.

Over a hundred people have already entered, but what really surprised us was how so many people enclosed heartfelt notes about their Dads along with their entry. So we wanted to give folks a public place to talk up their Dads. Just post a comment below with anything you’d like to say about your Father, and we’ll have a nice chain of Father-honoring comments in time for Father’s Day.

I’ll start it off. That’s my Dad, pictured above, just a bit after he’d been diagnosed with cancer. He’s hamming it up for the camera, which was an old Bell & Howell SLR.  He was amazing, but never easy–the kind of guy who would listen to classical music and drink cheap beer, barechested, at the same time. When I graduated from college, he made a big fatherly show of how he was done giving me advice. Now he’s gone, these many years, and I never told him that I needed it.

What’s your father like?

UPDATE: The winners for this contest were Karen Straw, Dr. Felix Subervi, and Paul Brown, with Honorable Mention going to EA Greene.

101 thoughts on “A Post About Our Dads, for Father’s Day”

  1. My father has loved me from before I was even born. His unfailing love has shaped every day of my life.

  2. My dad taught me to think. It sounds odd, but when discussing ideas and issues would purposely take a different point of view than mine. I learned to develop and defend ideas, but also to be open to positions other than those I held. It was an incredible gift. Thanks, Dad!

  3. Anyone can be a Father but it takes so much more to be someone’s Daddy. I believe being a Daddy is more about the bond than the blood! My parents divorced when I was only one year old. Having that absence of a father in my life was so painful. I did not understand why my Dad chose to be absent from our lives. My brothers who were older did not understand either. We missed that presence of a father figure. When I was four my mother married a wonderful man who lovingly opened his arms and his heart and loved the three of us like his own. Most of the time when you hear of step parents, you hear the bad stuff about how wicked they can be but fortunately for my brothers and I this was definitely not the case. Rodney took our hands and our hearts and helped guide us through our lives. He often did things for us and bought things for us that Mom wouldn’t have been able to do on her own. He is the kind of Daddy we had longed for. He attended all of our baseball and softball practices, sponsored our sports teams, came to every game, and bragged on us to everyone he knew! He was a proud doting father. A few short years later he and my mother had my little sister. To see him with her as an infant and see how much he loved her was truly amazing not that I should have been surprised because he loved all of us so much. Throughout my adolescence and high school years, I know I was not always the easiest to get along with but Rodney always stood by me and supported me. He was always proud of me and never afraid to express it. He wasn’t just there for me and my siblings…..He was there for all of our friends. We had the kind of household where the more was the merrier! We always had tons of kids over and he and mom would always make sure the kids had a hot meal and if their parents could not afford something as simple as a night at the local roller rink, Rodney would see to it that they weren’t left out! He and mom weren’t wealthy by any means. We lived very modestly but their hearts were rich! Today as I am in my 30s I still look up to and respect this man who raised me and my brothers and loved us as his own. He is such an example of what a father; a Daddy should be. He is an example that all step parents should look to and see that even though the children you inherit from a previous marriage aren’t yours by blood, they are just children who need someone to love and guide them….even when you are met with resistance. It’s the bond that makes you a Daddy.

    On this Father’s Day I honor my (step) Dad Rodney for loving me and treating me as his own! I also honor my Father in Law James who is a super LOVING, KIND, GENTLE man whom became my husband’s step dad when my husband was only 5 years old. He too loved the children from a previous marriage like his very own and is an amazing father. We love you both!

  4. My dad has helped me a lot. One thing I remember is learning from him how to repair your own car. I grew up thinking that’s just what everyone did. I didn’t know then it was because we had cheap crappy cars because he was supporting a family of six on one income. Still the skills have been helpful. I called him a few years ago to thanks him for saving me a ton of money doing simpler repairs on my own.

    Thanks and Happy Fathers Day, Dad.

  5. My dad was a great father. He was a WWII vet, and always worked hard. He raised a family and was married to my mom for over 50 years. I only wish I could have been a better son.

  6. On behalf of my children, I would like to express my gratitude for my husband/their father. It was a long and painful road to finally get to the place where he heard “Daddy” for the first time. He is everything to our family, and I know that there is no better person for us. He provides for us, not just financially, but emotionally, physically and spiritually. He makes us laugh and is willing to cry with us when things just don’t seem fair. We love you very much!
    Signed,
    Candy, Jessica, and Benjamin

  7. My father… loving, hard working, dedicated to wife and family, of a generation now long gone…

  8. Growing up, Dad was always a bit of an enigma. There are lots of things my brothers and I never knew about him. As we’ve all grown much older (I’m 49, Dad is 79), and I’ve gotten to know more about him, I’ve come to appreciate how hard his life was. He grew up during the tail end of the depression. He was a teen during WWII. He was in the Army during Korea. He worked on farms, then in factories in Des Moines. He supported a wife and six boys on a blue-collar paycheck. He was frustrated from time to time, but never gave up, never questioned his lot in life. He appreciated what he had. He overcame obstacles and kept moving forward. He has lived the life of a responsible decent man.

    He’s an inspiration. He provides a worthy template to follow. I pray I can look back in my twilight years, and feel I’ve done as well.

    Mark

  9. Just over a decade ago my father lost his eyesight (but not his vision, as he likes to remind us). We’ve been going through all the slides that he had taken and slowly, with the help of ScanCafe, turning them into digital images.

    Of course, there are photos of us, our cousins and our friends as kids. It’s fun to revisit the way that he saw us then and all the funny faces that we made for his camera.

    Far more wonderful are the images of the ways that he pictured/captured my mother and our many adult relatives and friends. There’s a tenderness in his photos. He didn’t always put it in words, but from his photos I realize that he saw (and still sees) all of us in the best possible light.

  10. My dad (whom we called Pop, ’cause that’s the kind of guy he was) was one of the happiest and most tolerant human beings I’ve known. We knew that he loved us, and we knew he loved Mom: nothing beats that for a kid’s security. He worked in computers all his life, from back when computers were new, and used to bring us the leftover paper with the holes punched in the sides for drawing.

    When he was 17 or so, he and his buddies went out West. He didn’t get too many more chances to travel, raising a family of five, but those slides of his trip and the stories that went along with them encouraged all of us to try our wings in adventuring. My first trip was to his father’s homeland, Russia, and he loved hearing about our trips.

    Pop was called by many the world’s oldest teenager, and his teenage and pre-teen grandkids used to love to visit his apartment to be fed junk food and watch movies with him. Whenever my sister or I would visit him (he had moved four hours away to be near my other sister and the grandkids) he would be sure to have our favorite goodies on hand! In fact, lots of times he would remember things that I liked that I hadn’t had for years.

    He died quite suddenly and peacefully last Valentine’s Day, just sitting in his rocking chair and falling asleep, and we thought it was such an appropriate day because he had been missing his sweetheart, my mom, for four long years…

    Happy Pop’s Day, Pop. Miss you like crazy.

  11. My dad was as cool as they come. Im honoring him by scanning all the photos I have of him

  12. Dad,
    Thanks for saving me 10% on my scan order.
    Love,

    P.S. Also thanks for the XBox you got me! But my game library is rather scant. I hope you’ll appreciate all the work I do to organize your negatives and photo albums for you. Love again.

  13. My dad often stays in the background, but he can be counted on for witty comments, help whenever needed, a caring smile, and lots of photos. He introduced me to computers and programming when I was eight, and 30 years later I still love both and have found a great career as a programmer.

  14. My Dad has been gone for 14 years now. I have remembered a couple pieces of advice he often gave me. He called them ” pearls of wisdom”. The first was: “If you stop to think you will think to stop!” The second was if you want to make a major purchase-wait 24 hours and think about it. If you still want it as much and have thought the money angle thru-then purchase it! Thank you Dad-both “pearls” have served me well. Love from your Son.

  15. I’m not sure how I feel my father. Probably I would like to avoid to think about him. This blog is good chance for me to rethink about him, again.

    My father lives with my grandfather in my home foreign country. My three children seem to be looking forward to seeing him on long summer school vacation time here.

    My father who is an only child is very gentle person.

    I lost my mother 14 years ago because of cancer, and my father seems to start borrow money from more than ten loan companies (including gray companies). With my suggestion and support, he finally filed personal bankruptcy two years ago. Most of the debt of about $100k went to a co‐signer (his relative) and my father started to repay him from his pension.

    He seemed to consume money of 100k from life and cancer insurances, and pension for my mother (she was a school teacher, and pension has been paid for spouse). Seemed like gamble and pub were the place for the waste. He also borrowed money from myself, his friends, relatives, and finally used public money saved in joint bank account of the community. He finally tried to commit suicide because of threat from debt collectors (it’s common in my home country).

    I think main reason of his wastes is my mother’s death. I can now forgive him that he had done before. At least I would like myself and my children to be the person like him.

    I hope he is happy to see his growing grandchildren every summer time and see pictures of my family periodically sent to him. I just want make him happy, he is my father.

    Most of my image to my father comes from latest 10 years, but I want to remeber my father in my childhood from old pictures.

  16. While I got my outgoing personality from my mom and learned a lot about people from my mom, my dad took the time to be there for the key milestones in my life. Teaching me to ride a bike, pitching to me in the backyard when I was afraid of the baseball, sitting in the passenger seat when I was 16 and on and on. He was there for the small moments and the big ones. The first time I think I saw him cry was the day he dropped me off at college which I never expected. Thanks dad for helping me to be the dad I’m trying to be for my daughter.

  17. My Dad has been gone for 23 years. He was only 56 when he died. I wish he could see me now. I am an educator like he was. My first order from scan cafe had slides of him I took when I was a kid. Now I can see him often right on my desktop.

  18. How to describe my father? A ham radio wielding, motorcycle driving, surgeon turned anesthesiologist, acerbic pragmatist, staunch libertarian. But above all, a man who taught me to be independent, resourceful, and focused on my mind as the only thing I could ever have that would get me ahead. I love you Dad! Happy Father’s Day.

  19. It’s very simple, the man I am today is because of the man my dad is now. I can only hope that I can teach my two little boys as well as my dad taught me. Every day, now that I am a dad, I see more and more of my father in me and it is very, VERY, satisfying. I love him!

  20. My Dad has been gone for 25 years. I inherited the job of being the photographer for the family after he passed. Sometimes my family is not always happy I am there with the camera but I take the photos anyway to create the memories. That is what my Dad for us – so many memories we can treasure of times gone by, of family and friends no longer with us… My Dad was my “Knight in shining armor” and his love stays closer to me because of these photos – so I will keep on capturing memories!

  21. I owe my father everything and love him constantly, even though he left this world many years ago. I am now approaching the age where I will soon join him, or I at least hope so. That is, I hope to join him, but not necessarily soon.

  22. Dads Rules:
    1. Always put your tools back when your done with them.
    2. Stay out of the kitchen

  23. Eventhough my father passed away when I was only 12 years…he will be remembered and missed always. He spent all of his free time with me showing me just how much he loved me. My two children and now my grandson are so very lucky that my husband (of 26 years) has all of those same qualities. So, to all of you Daddy’s out there “Happy Father’s Day”!

  24. I’ve been Daddy’s little girl for a little more than 40 years. It’s a roll I will always cherish!
    Happy Father’s Day to all!

  25. My dad is a caring and generous person. Family is always first and foremost to him.

  26. Having a Dad is a wonderful thing that we take for granted. When I was 18 months my father passed of Cancer. It destroyed my Mom to the point that she was unable to care for me. I lived with my Grandparents for a few years. Several years later I went to live with my Mom again. But there was always something empty not having a male role model in my life. When I was about seven my Mom met someone who would eventually adopt me as his own. This person, my DAD, was always there for us and helped me to become the person I am today. He tought me how to work work and of couse, how to enjoy life. I owe him so much gratitude for being who he is and all that he has brought to our lives. I love you Dad for being you and for being there for Mom and I.

  27. This is my first Father’s Day without my Dad. Dad passed to the Lord last November 18, 2008. I miss him very much, but we still have many fond memories of my Dad. Discovering and sorting through all his old slides and photos is keeping that memory alive. Happy Father’s Day, Pa, and know that I love you now and forever! God keep you!!!

  28. My father is from the “greatest generation”. He’s always had a passion for life wear ever he was involved. Photography was one of those great passions.

    About 45 Years ago he purchased his first single reflex camera. He has since photographed in the United Sates and all over the world.

    He turned from doing darkroom developing to producing his own multi projector slide shows with music as a serious amateur.

    His subjects cover, photo journalism, portraits, sports, landscapes, architecture, abstracts, nature and many other photographic specialties.

    For the past two year he has been involved in going through his 75,00 slide collection and digitizing the “keepers” . Last year a friend recommended Scancafe and he has been using them ever since. It will be a great tribute for now and in the future, to his great curiosity and passion for photography. Son Andrew S. Vogel

  29. I have to thank my dad for providing so much for me. Something my dad taught me to appreciate was preserving our memories. My dad treasures our old family photos, and has been working to get them organized. He is the main reason I am going through all of our old negatives now, and getting everything scanned and possibly restored. It will be nice to see all our memories preserved. Happy Father’s Day!

  30. Dad figured out what I need for a good life: a liberal arts education and someone to be there for me when I need help. He (and Mom) provided both. I thank them for it every day.

  31. My dad is gone now over 26 years, but I still see him nearly everyday in the way I act and the things I do. He was a great individual, not highly educated in the traditional sense, but teaching me everyday through thoughts and actions. He taught me the meaning of doing the right thing, and doing my best, regardless of other perceptions. While not educated as such, there was not a piece of machinery or equipment he could not tear apart and fix – and that ability he nurtured in me, which is probably why I became an engineer. I remember one of my first toys was a working tool kit and an old television to tear apart – not bad for a 5 year old. Well enough reminders of the past – I live each day in the hopes he would be proud of what I have accomplished.

  32. My memories of my father were positive until I became a mid teenager. When I was young I remember his bringing me a bow and arrow set which of course horrified my mother. I liked taking weekend trips to the New England countryside, sitting in the front of the car. I liked it when we went rowing.

    But when I got older, late teens, my feelings toward my father turned somewhat negative. He was uncommunicative and often bugged me as to why I was depressed. I saw that he was totally unmechanical and socially shy.

  33. Growing up, my father was both nurturing and demanding.
    He was my primary care giver until I started elementary school. He gave me my love for the outdoors and my appreciation of the natural world. He also challenged me to be independence and work hard in every aspect of my childhood.
    A daddy’s girl until I hit adolesence. We had a difficult relationship during my teens and early twenties. Instead of mending fences, I announced an unintended pregnancy immediately after graduating from college.
    My father was prepared to let me sink or swim. What surprised him, and completely changed our relationship, was the birth of my son.
    We jokingly refer to my ten year old as “my father in the body of a fourth grader.”
    The two have bonded in a way that no one could have anticipated. Raising a child, so similar in temperment to my father, has given me a fresh appreciation for his strengths and weaknesses.
    In my father, I now see the man I want my son to become.

  34. My father is an excellent role model who is always willing to help. And he has an excellent sense of humor which I have been lucky enough to inherit.

  35. My dad died 20 years ago in a spring tornado tragedy saving my mother, sister-in-law and her two children. Every fathers day I remember him and what he meant to me and the rest of my family. Although he was not perfect he represented the goodness and love that is necessary to be a good father. Interest in his children, compassion for others, love of family and dedication to community and country. He died protecting his family. He is gone yet not forgotten.

  36. My Father died when my kids were young. They do remember their Grandfather, his death, funeral, etc. They have fond memories of him and he was a wonderful grandfather to them.

    I was shooting 35 mm Kodachrome a that time. I have not looked at the slides from that era in a very long time. I recently received my first order from Scan Cafe’ and very much enjoyed seeing the images again.

    I have decided to digitize all my slides so I may enjoy them again and also give my kids (now grown) a connection to that part of their lives, including my Father, their Grandfather.

  37. i’m blessed to have 3 great kids. older daughter an exec.at a major drug company, younger daughter in Peace Corp. in Macedonia and son in college persuing a career in business.Today they thanked me for always being there for them. makes my heart swell with pride!

  38. Being from divorced parents I never knew my dad very well… and being they divorced before I was 1 and having been raised by my mother I held no animosity towards him; he was just some guy that visited every so often. So on this Fathers Day I thank you Mom – Happy “Fathers” Day! 🙂 and Thanks.

  39. My Father, my father was a quiet man, but always there for me with a kind word, helpful hand and always supportive. Even today many years after his passing when I need advice I talk to him imagining his response that alway put me on a right path

  40. My Dad has always been there for me, and I have always counted myself the luckiest daughter in the world for having him. I can remember jogging in the rain with him when I was young, throwing around the football he got me for Christmas when we couldn’t afford much more, being comforted by him when I was 12 and my Mother passed from cancer. Seeing the pride on his face at my accomplishments, and the commiseration at my defeats. He has shared his experiences, and always been there with good advice. To me every day is Father’s day, as I can never honor him enough for all that he has added to my life.

    I love you Dad!

  41. My father was my greatest inspiration. I have spent my whole life trying to be like him.

  42. My dad died when I was just a little girl, and the memories I have and the photos are very precious to me. He loved his family, and we missed him terribly after he died.

  43. Some of my favorite memories of my Dad are:
    – watching him walk on his hands at picnics and parties. All the change would fall out of his pockets, which he let the kids keep.
    – hiking the Grand Teton Mountains with him, fighting through snow-covered trails, avalanche strewn trees and gasping for air as the altitude challenged us.
    – driving across country in the family station wagon when the monotony was suddenly broken by a song we all enjoyed played on our AM car radio (e.g. Big Bad John by Jimmy Dean)

  44. My father died when I was 14 years old, but I remember him as a gentle, compassionate man with a deep religious faith. He began each day with a brief personal prayer at the breakfast table where my siblings and I were expected to be in our places by 7:30 am. The prayers were not prepared in advance or written out; they referred to our family life and to events of the coming day, especially birthdays. I celebrated my tenth birthday in June 1940 but to my surprise the event was not mentioned that morning. Instead, my father prayed for France where he had been wounded in the trenches of the western front in the “Great” War of 1914-1918. It was in mid-June of 1940 that the French armies were retreating before the onslaught of the German Wehrmacht. and to avoid total collapse, the French government asked for an armistice. Despite my disappointment that my birthday had not been mentioned, I knew that something very important and very sad had happened and had caused my father to forget my birthday. That prayer by my father was the first time I was made aware of events outside of the comfortable world of small-town America, events that were to shape the world in which I grew up.

  45. My father passed away this month three years ago. Everytime I visit his grave, I miss him more. When he was alive, we did not talk each other so much. Now I talk to him more when I visit his grave. He was a good man and loved me and his family so much.

  46. My dad made the best chocolate milk in the world. That’s an accomplishment that means something to a kid. He was a business man who bottled and sold really good dairy products to thousands of growing families, provided jobs and livelihoods for forty families and a dozen or so farm families for thirty years.

  47. My dad was my hero. He sacrificed everything in his life to move to the US so I could have an education here and grow up in a free country. As an Iranian-American, I understand how much he gave me.

  48. I appreciate my father because he was responsible for my receiving a College education. He encouraged me and both he and my mother made the financial sacrifice necessary. As a result, I was later able to go on to graduate school and have an interesting and stimulating life. He always said that he never wanted me to “have to obey a whistle” as he did.

  49. I lost my dad to cancer just before father’s day last year. Last year father’s day was so tough emotionally and we were just trying to cope with our loss. This year is still very tough but I found that I could more clearly reflect on my dad and his life. Since I can’t buy my dad a gift this year, I decided the best gift I could get for him would be to scan all of the photos from his early life that are still in boxes and then to create scrapbooks to honor him and to create a detailed memory of his life for my children and the future generations. My dad was the typical dad of the 70’s. He worked very hard every day of his life to provide for his family and so that my mom could stay home to raise us. He was always very strict but also trusted us to make good decisions. He wasn’t always the easiest person to get along with but we always knew he loved us. I don’t think I truly appreciated my dad until I became a parent and realized how hard it can be. Then I met a whole new side of my dad when he became a grandfather, Papa as my kids call him. With all the pressure of supporting a family gone, he was able to truly enjoy the babies. He loved his grandkids with all his heart and it brought so much joy to me to see him interact with them and the joy that they brought to his life. When my dad was diagnosed with lung cancer in June 2007, I learned about yet another side of my dad. My dad was always strong, the man of hte house, the disciplinarian, etc. but, we used to tease that when he got a cold he acted like a baby. We all feared that he would have a very difficult time with his battle against cancer and make it very difficult on all of us. Much to my amazement, he was the bravest and best spirited cancer patient I have ever seen. He opened up in a way I had never seen. He never complained about his treatments or pain, he only complained about not wanting to leave us. When he was diagnosed and was given 6 months to a year to live, he said “I just want a year” and we sure hoped he would get that. He battled hard until the end and survived for 11 months. The 11 months that we shared together were probably the best 11 months of our lives. I know it sounds strange but for the first time we truly opened up to each other. He told us all how much he loved us and for a man of few words this was huge. We were also able to tell him how much we loved him. He laughed and smiled and enjoyed every minute he had with us as we did with him. He came to every event he could for the kids from the first day of school to sports events and school plays. He was so proud of his grand kids and wanted them to know that. I saw my dad cry for the first time and I saw just what an amazing and brave man my dad truly was. He may be gone now but he will never be far from our thoughts and our hearts. By being so brave he allowed us all to cope with losing him by being able to talk openly about what he was going through. Today we will enjoy looking through old pictures and laughing at the good times we had together. We will honor him each in our own way. My way is submitting this order and committing to creating a scrapbook of his life. I know he is watching over us today and wishing he was here to laugh with us and enjoy his favorite BBQ meal and a good beer. We love you and miss you dad!

  50. Recently my father was diagnosed with lymphoma. It was the first time I ever thought of him as mortal, and it scared me to death. since then has been a horrible and trying 3 months, but… it looks like the cheemo is starting to work, thank god.

    I wouldn’t wish this experience on anyone, but it has done so much to bring us closer as a family and allow me to realize that which is most important in life (namely him, and my mother). To deal with something like this is never pleasant, but to deal with something like this and be able to come out and see the light on the other side… well that’s almost a blessing in disguise.

  51. my father suffered a massive stroke over 20 years, but nothing could stop him from doing what he loves. even though he’s paralyzed on one side and can barely speak, he goes to the gym every day to swim, he goes hiking and sailing at every opportunity, and he even traveled to Israel to visit the holy land. my dad is an inspiration of determination.

  52. My father set a wonderful example of helping others. He taught me to work hard. He is a great example to me now and when I was young. Through taking trips with him and my mom, I learned to love the mountains, hiking, fishing, camping and backpacking.

  53. This is the first year that my Dad has not been here on Father’s Day (he died last September). As time went on I appreciated how much he provided for his family despite many physical setbacks. In recent years we talked on the phone several times a week and became friends as well. Not being able to pick up the phone and talking with him and solving all of the world’s problems has been difficult, but it does make me reember the very special relationship we had.

  54. I am who I am because of my father. Though distance has separated us for over 25 years and I have my own family and kids now the love between us is always there. He is still my “daddy” and I am still his little girl.

  55. My father has taught all of us to care about others. He has worked hard all of our lives and now that he is in retirement, he spends all his time helping others. He drives cancer patients to doctor appointments, runs errands for home-bound people, orchestrates bingo at a nursing home, and many many other things. He always things of his family and friends before himself. He is an incredible father and person!

  56. When I was young, my parents divorced and my father fought for custody (very uncommon in those days). He won sole custody of his 3 boys and for the next 10 years, managed to hold down a more-than-full-time-job and take care of the three of us who are all within 18 months of age of one another. He did this without a nanny or day-care.

    We didn’t have a lot of money, but the memories of my childhood are happy ones – spending time together with grandparents, vacationing when we could, and learning to do all the things my father did like fix motors and such.

    Now that I’m older and have my own children, I realize what a tremendous sacrifice he made for us. He could have taken the easy route, but he choose to fight for his kids and do his best to raise them himself.

    I recently found an old box of slides from my childhood that my father had kept in the basement – pictures I’ve never seen before. I’m so excited to have found Scancafe to digitize these pictures so that I can relive my childhood memories and share these photos with my brothers.

  57. I’m in a unique situation but not uncommon.

    Please keep in mind some of us grew up without fathers. I think we have all heard the stories and reasons why, so no need to go into details.

    My father and mother had eight children, I was the seventh of those eight. Our dad left when we were very young and never seen from again. Mothers day was always fun but Fathers day was always awkward. However, several years back my older sister suggested that on Fathers day we should celebrate our mom because she took on the role of Mother and Father.

    Our mom gets honored twice a year. We get her gifts and cards for both mothers day and fathers day. The way we figure it is mom stood by us durring a very difficult period. Celebrating our mom durring fathers day is just another way of saying thanks for standing by us.

  58. My father, taught me so much about life; the thrill of trying new things such as camping, bike riding, skiing, travel and one of my favorite hobbies, photography.
    He enjoyed life and had a great sense of humor. His smile and laugh still resonate in my memories of him.
    My dad died 16 years ago, at the age of 65. Thank God he retired when he was 55 and was able to enjoy 10 years of sailing in the Bahamas during the winter and living in the mountains of Southern New Mexico in the summer.
    The one thing I regret is that my father is not here to meet my husband and our two sons (one who is 22 months old and the second who is due in November). I pray that he is in Heaven and able to enjoy it all from that great place.
    I miss you dad!

  59. My father was a man who struggled all his life to overcome his limitations. The gift he gave me and his other children was a love a family, a strict personal moral code, a love of learning and exploring, and the ability to be quiet and listen to others.

  60. Over his entire lifetime, my father work so hard for his family. He sacrificed all his free time to ensure his three sons have a roof over their head, food on the table and money in the bank to pay for college. Now that my father is retired, I want him to enjoy his sons and all his grandchildren.

    We plan to use these scans and all the other wonderful photos to make a wonderful memory book for him.

    Thank you Dad.
    We love you.

  61. My father made me what I am today and I can see him in my children’s laughter. He was truly a great man.

  62. My dad is the rock that I cling to. The one steady influence I have had in my life. He’s like a great big kid now but I still see bits of that super kind man that everyone loved.

  63. I was adopted by my “dad” when I was 8. He was a real project guy. We did all kinds of things together from rebuilding old cars to remodeling our homes. He showed me how to do these things, and gave me confidence. He was great to my kids. They would be silly together. Something he did not do when I was young. It made him happy. Me too. He died a while back and now we visit is grave, sit for a while and think about him. I never felt like an adopted son, just a son.

  64. Here’s a poem I wrote for my family to celebrate my father.
    Open Window at Night

    What’s the greater strength . . .
    Be honest, fair with others,
    Even those who are not.
    Be unafraid deep in the woods,
    Lack panic on Boston Common, late at night?

    What can any child claim from a specific parent;
    Mother—earth and sun? Father—wind and fire?
    High value characteristics come from both
    As do a few behaviors to try to leave behind.
    It’s a puzzle.

    Many men are strangers to ideals;
    Failing at the notion, lying at the mention of core values
    (women sadly, too, walk the same gutter).
    Countless don’t even try.
    I seek to be a man of honor – integrity.
    Alas my actions have not always rung true, either.

    So too are many men timid outdoors.
    If the climate turns away from
    A gentle rain or air-conditioned sunshine.
    Geography off the concrete sidewalk
    Beyond the street light and cell signal
    Overwhelms them.

    Your sons aren’t that.
    Neither are your granddaughters.

    I remember you in the rain at Dolly Copp
    Trenching a ditch so the tent wouldn’t flood.
    Hunkered down under a poncho on the Carter Dome Trail,
    Waiting out a storm with us.
    Walking twelve miles in the 1978 blizzard to tend to family.

    You gave me the out-of-doors, Dad.
    I am able to see a moss covered boulder
    Deep in the moist forest
    Near a spring growing into a brook
    Just down from the mountain ridge.

    I am suffused with mountaintops;
    Woods, the desert, night, and rain:
    Snow, sun, water, trees, wind, earth, cloudy days,
    Grass, leaves rustling, shooting stars, blue skies.

    I imagine you trying to say,
    “Feel the rain, the sun, the earth – boys.
    It’s the same on Beacon Street
    As it is on the trail to Ranger Pool.
    Be smart, not afraid wherever you go.”

    You might have wanted to say,
    “Breath it in, sons.
    Be often out-of-doors.
    Love the outdoors.
    It’ll be your most valuable inheritance.”
    I don’t recall any words spoken like that,
    Your actions were loud and clear, though.

    What is the greater lesson?
    How to stand in front of the mirror, content
    With the acceptance of a work in progress
    Or stand on the edge of a cliff, buffeted by the wind
    Seeing the storm move up the pass
    With confidence and awe.

    The out-of-doors means something to me
    As does trying to do the right thing.

    You tried to do the right thing in your life
    I do, too.
    You like being outdoors
    I do too.
    You like sleeping with the window open
    I do, too.

    epilogue:
    Ten degrees above zero cold
    Nights with the window open, bold
    Protected by the feat of five blankets deep.
    That my friends is a good night’s sleep.

  65. Dad valued his family above all else. He believed an education was the most important thing he could give to his children (both my parents were school teachers).

  66. My dad passed away many years ago. And as a avid horsemen he would be proud of our youngest daughters love of horses and her natural riding ability, the ability to train horses, and compete at a high level in jumpers.

  67. I miss my Dad but have many fond memories. I especially remember all the great times we had on Fathers Day at “the river”.

  68. I just love watching my father play with my three children. He didn’t play with me like he does with them as I was growing up; so I love to see the carefree side of him.

  69. When I was growing up, my dad was the leader for my Boy Scout troop. We’d spend tons of summer weekends out hiking in the woods, or canoeing down whitewater rivers, or crawling thorough caves. We always brought a camera with us, and I can’t wait to get scans of all our old negatives and relive those memories.

  70. In looking through the slides we’re sending to ScanCafe, I came across one of my dad 34 years ago holding his first granddaughter. That granddaughter recently provided his first great-grandson. And so it goes; what my dad started 60 years ago just continues like a river.

  71. My dad taught me that all men have their struggles but all men have it within themselves to overcome. He was a living example of that. He loves his sons and we have many great memories of him.

  72. I wrote a note about my dads memeories of his experiences as a POW during WWII, and that the Lib. of Congress had made a recording of this interview. It was in that recording that I found out many of the experiences my father went through during his captivity, which he had never shared. I would like to ask Scan Cafe, to send you the DVD of his interview from the Lib. of Congress. I will send the original to them and they can reproduce it and send it to those that request it. It is something to share with your children and grandchildren. I am sure there are many others like this.

  73. My dad is a wonderful grandfather. He loves spending time with our kids and is an integral part of their lives.

  74. Just like my dad, I have many interests and hobbies. He died in 1993. If I was granted one wish, I’d like to bring him back to life for one day. No doubt that he’d be fascinated by current technology and news: internet, cell phones, 9/11, and President Obama.

  75. Even though my Dad has been gone for 14 years, I still miss him every day. My own 3 year old daughter today asked me: “Daddy, where is your Daddy?”. She continued: “I wish he was here to play with us and help take care of me.” I broke down in tears and tried my best to hide it from my daughter since it’s hard to explain that although my Dad was great, he blew it all by smoking 2 packs of Marlboros a day for 50+ years.

    I miss him; I love him. I guess he still loves me since he just saved me an additional 10% at ScanCafe. His sense of humor still lives on every in my memories.

    I miss you and I Love You Dad!

  76. The man I call my father is my adoptive father. He married my mother after her divorce, when I was 7, and treated my brother and me like we were his own children. Shortly before I turned 8, he told me he’d like to adopt us as his sons, but wanted my permission. I said yes. He and my mother had 2 more sons, but I think of all of them as my brothers.

    He took care of the family when times were tough, set an example for us to live as he believes is right, and supported us as best he knew how. On this Father’s Day, I want to thank him and say “I love you, Dad.”

  77. This week I hung in my entrance hallway two sketches my father made of a telescope he built for my brother and me in our Brooklyn apartment more than 30 years ago. It was an audacious venture – a man and two pre-teens building a 6′ long telescope in their kitchen using scrap plywood and plumbing hardware. But the funny part looking back is that it seemed completely normal. That was my father’s gift to us – the sense that passionate – even outrageous – pursuit of curiosity should be the rule rather than the exception in life. I remember that lesson every day when I pass those drawings. I miss you Dad.

  78. As I spent my 2nd father’s day with my 2 little boys I just have to reflect on how much my dad taught me. The lessons my boys Grandfather left with me will soon be passed to them and for this I am grateful to him.

  79. My dad has always been there for me and is still an integral part of my life. I cannot resist torturing him though by going on multi day hikes in a rain forest (no that Nautica jacked is not a real rain jacket) and taking him on “moderate” hill rides in the Rocky Mountains.

  80. Dad-

    I always knew you would get older, but I never liked to think about it. You and mom were always the rock I could turn to. When I messed up, when I needed advice on life and “adult things” you were there and still are. To me, the thought of losing you was unfathomable. I knew it would happen, but I didn’t like to dwell on it.

    When you went into surgery last week, I knew it was going to be a life changing event. No longer could I hide from the reality that you were getting older, and yes, I might lose you one day. Seeing you in the hospital bed with all of the tubes running in and out, and watching you as your mood changes from day-to-day, I find that I am not as scared as I thought I would be. Instead, I feel honored that I am able to care for you like you did for me all of these years. In a strange way, it is like a gift. A gift that although unfortunate, is a reality of life. A gift that allows me to care and give back everything that you gave to me.

    In anticipation of Father’s Day, I scanned in some of our old pictures until I found the perfect image of you and I being happy together. Even though the picture is from 1983, and your hair has long since turned white, and I have long since lost my boyish face, I still see the family love that is timeless. When you wake up in the hospital bed, I want you to see this picture on your wall and remember how I will always love you.

    It is for this reason, I am committed to scanning even more of our memories and preserving that love in a medium you love so much. Growing up as a photographer’s son, in the shadow of Kodak headquarters, has given me pictures that I will cherish for a lifetime. Even when you are gone, I will always have your pictures to remind me of you.

    And, by the way, I’m not ready to give up on you yet! I know that this hospital stay will only be temporary and that you’ll be our of bed, camera in had, making even more memories for years to come.

    All my love, and best wishes,
    Your son,
    Paul

    It is for this reason that I am embarking on scanni

  81. I love my dad and I truly appreciate all the things that he provides for our family and the sacrifices that he has had to make to support and care for our family. Some of my fondest memories from my childhood are simple summer nights playing basketball in our driveway or trying to learn the secrets of soccer from my dad. I love my dad and I am truly blessed with a wonderful family.

  82. Learn about yourself and then value others, state your opinion, stand up for yourself, know that I’m there when you need me. What more can a Dad teach you?

  83. My parents divorced when I was four years old. My mother has always placed her needs before all else, but my Dad has always been a steady rock for me; he has always made me feel like a special princess worthy of having it all. I found ScanCafe so that I can take Dad’s old slides of me as a child and remember my Dad. He is now 82-years old, not moving as fast, not hearing as well, not remembering as much ~ but he is still my rock, and I love and cherish every day I have with him.

  84. My dad was my biggest cheerleader. When I was young it used to embarrass me that he would proudly ask me to play the piano for guests. Later, when I became a children’s book author, he would carry my books around with him and show them to anyone who would listen—even a store clerk, or gas station attendant. Now I understand—there’s no greater gift a dad can give than to have pride in a son or daughter.

  85. My dad is the most important person in my life. He is my role model and taught me to that there is a good side to every situation.

  86. My dad’s greatest gift to me was showing me how to be a good father. He was someone who always led by example. He worked hard and always treated others with respect. He was always positive and made sure the language he used reflected his principles and values. It was in his failings that he showed his true character and how to persevere. He didn’t have all of the answers, but he knew how to challenge me and draw out my latent skills. In the end it will be his love and I remember and cherish most.

  87. This was written by our son to his dad, Vincent.
    My dad is the best because he has helped me to hear. He bought me the best hearing aids, and drove me every day to a special school where I learned to listen and talk. Now I am 10 years old, and I go to a regular school and I am just like all the other kids, except I wear hearing aids to listen. I love my dad because he works hard so that I can always have everything I need to do my best. Love, Michael

  88. My dad is the best for many reasons but one that sticks out is his incredible dedication to pursue my passion and love for horses. As a child my dad would take me riding, helped me earn a horse and encouraged me to do what I love. Now, I am grown up and have a career with horses. I owe that happiness and success to my dad. Dads are the bestest.

  89. My father was in his fifties when my little sister and I were born. He died when I was 14 after suffering from poor health for quite some time. I saw in him many qualities I try to emulate and a few I don’t. I’m thankful for the things I’ve learned because of him.

  90. He was my inspiration when he was alive, and now he is my inspiration – 6 feet under

    1. Hi Theresa,

      Karen Straw, Felix Subervi, and Paul Brown were our winners here, and received free orders. Honorable mention went to EA Greene.

      thanks for asking,
      Sam

  91. Well I never met my dad. I searched for him in my teens and met my father’s son and daughter. He left them when they were young as well. My brother turned out to be a good guy so in him I’m sure there is something good of our father who served his country. I had a few father figures growing up: grandfather, uncles, and even my best friend’s dad. My mom also passed on the lessons of her dad, my grandfather, growing up. I wish there was a service to merge all those faces into a single photo because they’ve all passed along a lot of lessons about living life to its fullest and dedication. I have two advanced degrees, stayed out of any truly embarrassing trouble, own a home, and give back to my community. I think even without a dad, they all did a great job.

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