FATHER'S DAY

​My father died in 1992 but I see more of him in myself each year. He was a hardworking honest man who rode the rails between Saskatchewan and British Columbia during the depression working on the railway and farms as work became available. He displeased my mother’s parents in Abbotsford by marrying their daughter. They were farmers who had much posher English accents than my father’ s family’s “h” dropping Yorkshire accents and had grander plans for their daughter than a rail rider from Saskatchewan.
The second picture is from 1966 when my father achieved 25 years as an underground nickel miner with Inco, where he worked until his retirement.
My father was was honest, hardworking, non judgemental and accepting. He never worried and never cared about how people perceived him. He never had pretentious and never lusted for wealth as long as he had what he needed. As a result he was content and never wasted a minute attempting to impress.
My father always had more respect for someone who earned their money from their own effort rather that the labour of others. He believed that we all have an obligation to put in society than we take out.
I did not value his consistency of view, honesty, and strength of character nearly enough in my arrogant youth. I value them more and more each year as I age and although I see more and more of my father in myself each year, I strive to see more. I have a way to go. Happy Father’s Day to a father who passed away on 1992

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