Yep - that's little me with my dad Jim.
I didn't realize it at the time, but we were making wonderful memories. Stuff that when I tell people today about the fishing trips we were on, it almost sounds unbelievable. I didn't realize how important that was until long after it was gone and I had my own kids. And now I'm trying to figure out how to give them the same memories, something special that they'll hang onto forever.
Sadly, my dad is no longer with us, he passed in 2022. I've grappled with his passing in different ways, but now I'm very thankful to 1) be here thanks to him, and 2) that I have so many memories with him - far out weighing the not so great ones that I thought were important at the time... but really weren't.
Out of no where a few nights ago I was startled awake by his voice, it was very vivid but I know that I was certainly me dreaming. Of course, I searched the house for intruders or something bad happening after being awoken to it haha and luckily I found nothing. But even though it was some kind of figment of my sleeping brain, it was nice to hear his voice again.
This weekend is not about getting last minute gifts for dad, now it's time to actually spend time with him, listen, learn, laugh. So I'm not linking you products to buy in this post. I'm just happy to use my platform to wish all you father's out there a Happy Father's Day Weekend.
Dads, you are special.
And I would like to remind all you sons and daughters to that you don't know how many more times around the sun you'll get with dad, so make sure he knows you love him.
For those that lost their father, here's my way of thinking that brings me comfort. What I realized is we are all going to exit this earth at some point. And when we do, we are carried forward in the memories of others - how our lives impacted them. And the part of us that makes an impact on them, will affect how they impact others. So, in some way, those that have come before us are carried on until the end of time just as we will be.
So those that lost your dad - He's still being carried forward.
He's still with you.
Make him proud.
Have a great and safe weekend everyone, cheers to all the dads out there, including the ones that are no longer with us!
Andrew Zurick
Owner