I just wanted to say that those of you who have a dad around certainly need to consider yourselves fortunate. My dad basically disappeared from my life when I was 11 years old. So for all of you who have knowledge when Dad taught you this or that, it is really such a great thing in life that you do have. As next month approaches and Father's Day nears, I am hopeful that I am as helpful to my kids as I wish my father would have been to me. Enjoy the time with your dad and enjoy that time with your sons and/or daughters. They are all listening and learning more than we think.

 

What I wouldn't pay for an afternoon with my Dad. He's been gone better than 20 years now. I don't really miss him but have a dream now and then of him and wake up feeling like I had a good visit with him. Fresh memories. Weird. Yeah, enjoy dad whilst he's here.

 

Sorry to hear about your dad. I can't imagine life without him.

Here are random thoughts about my Dad and I.....

My Dad and I don't spend the time together I would like to but we have much different interests. He has taught me so much in my life and get along great and very much alike in all aspects other than what we like to do. He is about 98% work hard and 2% play. I am more like 50% work and 20% more work that I absolutely love and 30% play. He looks at that as 50% play and almost an unfair way to make money. He would rather chop wood, carry in wood, clean up the mess from wood about 200 to 300 hours a year to save money on the heat bill i the winter. I would rather work 50 hours labor on ATVs motorcycles, Oldsmobiles or anything on the side and pay for my A/C and heat for an entire year.

He loves construction or any remodeling work he has come up on the house. I can't swing a hammer to save my life and want no part of it. I can build a car from the ground up and he was the one to teach me the basics of it but he don't want any part of it now. I was racing MX and very successful at it and was dying to have his support and help but it just was not his thing. He came to a couple races but that was all. I got into freestyle with the big ramps and he felt as if it was a silly way to make money. Now that I am 5 years retired from MX and freestyle, a couple months back he said that he hears so many stories about my riding days that he regrets he was not there to support me and be a part of my MX and Freestyle. He recognizes that he was to busy working and wishes he could do a couple things different. That was all that was said and it meant more to me than if he would have been there.

As many of you know, He took a major risk helping me out on my barn find in 2012. It literally would not have happened if he was not there for me on that one. I was worried sick for 9 months till it was paid back. He told me a while back he did not have the slightest concern about what I would do. I just hope to live up to the Jensen name that him and my Grandfather are know for...

 

A good father is within his sons and daughters for their entire life. I had my problems as a dad and wasn't so good and have regrets. But my Dad was exceptional and is with me every day. Some things cannot be undone, sounds like you are doing your best.

 

I hate to hear stories like this, I'm speechless reading that. Sounds like your moving ahead and have all the tools needed to be the best father you can be. All the best to you !!

Eric

 

Most of us who have lost a family member would love to have just one more day to spend with them, I know for myself I did not appreciate my father as I should of until I myself became a father. He was an a amazing man and I can only hope to teach my son the same values he taught me. While trying to provide we sometimes loose sight of the reasons we work so hard. Try everyday to make family a priority.

 

Here is a old post I did on this very subject. My dad is now 89 and slowing down some. This will probably be our last year for Pheasant hunting if he is still up to it come this fall. I am so lucky still........https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...ucky-i-am.html

 

My Dad wasn't around for anything when we were young. He owned his own business and worked his tail off so that my Mom could be home with us.

Now that he's retired, he makes it to EVERY Grandchild's event like school plays, baseball and football games and band concerts. I think he's trying to make up for lost time with us (brother, sister and I). But I'm OK with that because we still have him. He still works in his shop every day. And whenever I'm available, we are able to build cars together now. And he's made himself available should any of us need something.

He's now battling two different forms of cancer. But he's a fighter and the prognosis is good. So we're keeping our fingers crossed.

 

One thing I have going to my advantage is that my wife and I both work from home. So that guarantees more time with the kids...and also guarantees to turn them into spoiled brats. It's a fine line. I enjoy it though.

My mom was always gone at work trying to make up for my dad not paying child support for the five kids. So when I look at what I've been through and what I should focus on, most of that is the present and the future...if I have much energy left for the future. Guess we'll soon see.

 

My Dad's has been gone just over three years now and it still hurts. Although he wasn't able to do much of anything later in life I still cherish the memories when we were younger.

He was a jet engine mechanic in the Air Force and would always do all the maintenance on his own cars. He loved working on cars and would instruct me on all the proper ways to do things.

He even told me how they used to drag race on the runways back in the 50's which was allowed by the top brass back then when there was down time.

Love you Dad

 

My Dad's been gone two and a half years. Not a day goes by that I don't think of him. We had absolutely nothing in common. He was an intellect who loved to read. I'm mechanically inclined and haven't read a book cover to cover in twenty years


What's important is he taught me how to be a great dad. He was there for every single event in my life. He coached little league, was at every baseball game, cross county meet, etc. He taught me how important it is for me to do same for my daughters...... I miss him terribly.....

 

IM very lucky to be able to call my dad my friend as well. We dont say i love you or really talk much about our issues. We talk cars , house stuff and life and hav a few beers . I grew up following my dad everywhere and watched him work on his cars ( daily drivers ) I also tagged along with him to work many times and learned the value of a dollar from a very young age. He recently retired and i miss going into his work on Saturdays and just talking and working on his car or my cars (as i had shop privileges) . I truly valued saturday mornings specially after i moved out. But my biggest honor is him fully trusting me to fix his cars., i learned the very basics from him and he has built an engine here or there but my knowledge has surpassed his and the torch has been handed over as i work on cars for a living . I finished his resto project and put it on the road after he pretty much kind of lost motivation. Im very lucky and owe so much to my dad .


We are two totally different people but the common ground we share we completely embrace and thats how we spend our time. Either talking cars or working on them.

 

I've avoided this post for the last day or two.

Don't know why. Yet I do.

I'm blessed to have both parents in my life. They are at the end of their independence.

Its not easy. My empathy flows both ways.

 

I'm 70 now and my Dad has been gone since 1989. He was a middle child who left school in the eight grade. Left home at the same time because his folks did not have enough money to support all 4 kids. Worked in the coal mines as a mucker. Worked as a telegraph cable installer, became an electrician. Worked all his life and only took time off to go hunting and that was for meat not for fun. Taught me the value of saving and working hard. I always knew he loved me but he never new how to express that. Still miss him. Sometimes I see a short barrel chested man with a rolling gate and grey short hair and all the memories come back in a rush.

 

RIP DAD , 1988
still work daily with his old mechanic tools. miss ya

 

My Dad has been gone nearly two years now. We had fun memories together lots of laughs. He taught me to be adventurous. He like to drink and raise hell sometimes and I forgave him every time. Several times when I picked up the phone to call him he was already on line. It's as if we knew exactly when we where to talk. I miss that big guy.

 

My Dad passed away in 1987 and was 71. For lots of years he and I had lots of differences and periods we did not speak. He did some things that really hurt our family and I just don't go there. About 5 years before he died I decided I was not going to change him. At that point I knew I had a decision to make and it was to take him or leave him. Fortunately I decided to take him. We had a lot of good times and those 5 years that gave me and my family some great memories. I will always be glad I made that decision. I have a daughter and two grandsons who live with my wife and me. The boys worthless father walked out of their lives. He pays no child support and has no communication with them. He does nothing at Christmas or on their birthdays. Today was the youngest ones birthday and he turned 11. At times it is difficult finding the line where I am the grandfather on one side and the father on the other. They are great boys. The oldest is 13 and an honors student in band and basketball. The youngest is one or two B's and the rest A's. I cannot fathom how anybody could desert these boys. I do everything I can to help them become good persons. Fortunately they have a great Mom who is totally dedicated to them.

 

My Dad passed away just 4 days before Christmas last year at the age of 91. Because of his job (career Air Force officer) there were times that we didn't see much of him. When he was home he was always busy with something - wood working, home remodeling, car repairs and hot rodding when he was younger. In the late 50's while we were in California, he actually bought an old Henry J coupe, cut the top off, lengthened it 10 inches, installed an early 50's Olds V8 with a custom made 2 2 barrel intake and a custom made inline 3 speed floor shifter. The car was in primer when we were transferred to England in 1960. He hooked a homemade utility trailer up to it and we drove that and the new family 1960 Rambler Cross Country station wagon all the way to WI where the Henri J was stored while we headed overseas.

My dad was very knowledgable and could do almost anything but, unfortunately he wasn't a very patient teacher. Working with him was always difficult. It wasn't until after he passed that I learned that he had had a very difficult childhood and grew up in a very stern family. I suppose between and the military, he just didn't know any other way.

I have some of his tools now and skills that I must have picked up just by watching him work. I love using his tools on projects - it makes me feel very close to him. For those who still have their Dads, make the time to be with them. You will never regret it.

 

What a huge difference you are undoubtedly making in these boys lives. I don't know you at all, but I can tell from your words that you have exactly what these guys need. I would have loved to have had my grandpap around but he died a few years before my mom and dad split. You are a huge key to the boys success. Kudos to you for doing the right thing. Their future is brighter because of you.