My dad was the youngest of 5 kids. My granddad was like 20 years older than my grandmother. I never knew him. So I couldn't imagine how he felt. I just haven't experienced that yet.
My dad has been my inspiration through my life so far. He pushed me to go to college even though my mom or dad never did. He got me into the field I'm in. Disappointing him was always my biggest fear. The fact that my oldest uncle just died from diabetes and he's about 10 years older than my dad who also has diabetes, it just makes me think. I guess I just need to spend more time with my dad.
Yes, treasure every moment. Sounds like you already do, but it is never too late to start making more moments.
I am the youngest of 5 kids, and Im the first to go to college. Neither of my parents went to college. My dad dropped out of school before 10th grade, My mom dropped out her senior year to have my older brother. Pops was in the Heating and Cooling biz since I was born. Busting his ass every day of my life.
Pops tried to get me to stay close to home and I moved away to florida anyways. Within a year I was back home going to Mich State. Another year later I was following his footsteps in the Construction Biz. Felt for a long time that I had disappointed him, but then I went back to school, got my associates, worked my way into the office of a Mechanical Contractor, became an Estimator, Project manager, and I felt like I was doing justice to the way he wanted me to life.
But when I had kids, I felt like I understood a little bit of what he felt. The pressure, the pride, the love, I had half an idea what my Pops felt about me. My mom says it was more than I could ever guess, and she is probably right. And the way he treated my kids, it was awesome.
My dad, in my lifetime, had never told my mom "I love you". He always told us "I told her the day I married her, and if anything changes with that, I will be sure to let her know" Gruff old man, but funny as hell.
2 weeks before the 50th anniv, he called and asked my wife "So, now that I have told her that I love her, just how often am I supposed to say it? Every day? Couple times a day?" And he kept a running tally.
ah sheet. I could write all night. Sorry for the ramble, it just all fell out!! hahaha. I just hope I can be half the man that he was. And Im glad he is still up there somewhere listening to me, cause I still enjoy the conversations.