How to Survive Life in the Suburbs

How Can We Ever Repay Them?

in Everyday, Family, Lifestyle, Travel on

This past week my Dad celebrated his 70th Birthday.  For weeks my sister and I struggled back and forth with the weakest of gift ideas.   How would we ever find a present suitable for such an occasion?  How do you ever start to re-pay your Dad for working too hard, commuting too long and ultimately giving us a childhood that although not story book perfect, (don’t think anyone has one of those) was pretty damn close.  A 70th Birthday deserves something special right?

When I think back on my childhood my favourite memories revolve around the family cottage.  Waiting for my Dad to get home on Friday nights.  Pacing in the kitchen, my Mom with the cooler packed and the suitcases in the car.  Occasionally getting yelled at on the long drive “up north” with a “Don’t make me pull this car over!” But most of all, my memories are of the too short weekends and the picture perfect summers at the lake. 

My parents set the standard pretty high for childhood memories.  How will I ever give my girls this kind of gift?  Memories they will treasure forever.  How will I ever repay my parents for taking us out of the city, teaching us to ski, fish like a dude, drive a boat with confidence, and become a best friend with my sister.  

I hope this is a start….

 

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Our Gift

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My sister and I, we’re taking them back. All of us together where those best memories began; and we’re adding Husbands and Grandkids to the mix.  Time to start making some new memories. 

It’s going to be……blog worthy.

Think it’s too early to start a countdown to next summer?

Love you Dad.

    • Comments

    5. This made me CRY!!!!! What a sweet gift….there is nothing better than the gift of time together!!!!
      Your gift giving rocks. Happy birthday to your sweet and hard working Daddy!
      xoxo

    10. It’s never too early to begin the countdown to warm summer days.

      I still quiver with excitement on those Friday afternoons, ready to hit the road. The anticipation of arriving at the lake is magical. I suspect it always will be.

      Thanks for sharing your memories, and Happy Birthday to your Dad.

      -MM

    11. I think Dads are the hardest to buy gifts for. They already have everything they need. (By the way, any Christmas gift suggestions for MY dad???)

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