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Dad moments

  • 26-09-2018 11:51AM
    #1
    Posts: 4,520 ✭✭✭


    The dad things your dad did for you.

    One of mine: Early 20's, when I lived at home but went on a lads holiday. I texted him in the middle of the night (3AM on the runway and lost coverage) on a Ryanair flight from Magaluf to Shannon. I didn't sort out a lift home because I was a moron. My phone said the text didn't send. It did apparently. Found that out when we landed. He was there at arrivals at 6AM or so waiting for me, 70KM away from home! Dads are fantastic!

    Any dad stories, AH?


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Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 32,688 ✭✭✭✭ytpe2r5bxkn0c1


    Mine died in his early middle age and we never got to have much time together, between me at school and him slaving away for long hours to keep us. He did tell me when I was about 12 that I could be anything I wanted to be, despite putdowns by mates and teachers; and he was right.


  • Moderators, Music Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 25,740 Mod ✭✭✭✭Boom_Bap


    My dad is my hero. Everything he done was a selfless act to try help others.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,673 ✭✭✭TheBody


    Growing up on a farm, I never understood why my Dad made me follow him around and watch him fix things and come up with solutions to various problems. I was jealous of my school friends who always seemed to be out playing while I was working with him.


    Fast forward to two years ago, I bought my house. I quickly realised that it was virtually impossible to find an available tradesman to do any of the many small jobs around my house. I decided to simply do them all myself. It occurred to me that the reason I knew how to do so many jobs and was skilled with so many tools was all down to my father.


    He passed away 4 years ago and I think of him EVERY day and miss him to bits.


    Sorry, I have to go. I seem to have something in my eye.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 16,339 ✭✭✭✭Pherekydes


    My dad got up in the middle of the night to make himself a cup of tea, but he never got to drink it coz he keeled over with a massive heart attack.

    I think of that every time I wake up in the middle of the night and go downstairs to make a cup of tea...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,073 ✭✭✭Rubberlegs


    One that comes to mind is when I was learning to drive, in bad weather he would follow me the ten miles home to make sure I got there OK. Then turn around and go home again. He made me laugh with his very irreverent sense of humour. He could be infuriating, probably because I am the female version of him, too much alike:) His heart was in the right place though . Gone 8 years now and just lately I am thinking of him a lot.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,365 ✭✭✭✭McMurphy


    My dad is still relatively young, early 60s , non smoker, non drinker, exercises fairly regular good diet etc, so hopefully there's lots of miles still on the clock yet.

    2 passions in life he has are GAA and horses.


    I actually contemplated having him as my best man on my wedding day, as he is the best man I know.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,798 ✭✭✭Mr. Incognito


    My Dad had an amazing Life. In the Military. Fought in Wars. Was always the life and soul of the party.

    His attitidue every single day was **** it I'm alive. What's fun.

    Also had PTSD.

    Taught me to have an amazing attitude and not to worry.

    Also taught me the follys of sitting on your hole by watching him waste away.

    Cancer in 08. Ten years now. Jesus. Where does it go.

    I miss him.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,551 ✭✭✭SeaFields


    Maybe to flip the op slightly.. I was putting my small one to bed recently. Just before she fell asleep she put her hands around my head, kissed me on the forehead and said "Daddy ... you're my best friend"


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,360 ✭✭✭Lorelli!


    I love these kinds of threads. I spent a lot of time with my Dad because he stayed at home for a about 5/6 years when I was growing up and my mam worked for a while. He's not a saint but he'd help anyone out who needed it and he would always be there for me no matter what. He's a very fair person plus he's funny :)

    We were in Spain one year when i was around 19 and I went out for a drink with him. We were playing connect four at the table and the waiter came over and started to light a candle as if we were together :/ My dad was like "no you're alright with the candle, that's my daughter!" Well youd think he wouldn't shut up for the rest of the night when the others joined us about how young he must look! :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,880 ✭✭✭Canis Lupus


    He was a miserable git most of his life then he died. I wasn't terribly bothered at the time but now I'm in my late 30's I feel like I wish I had the chance to rewind time a bit but such is life.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,986 ✭✭✭jacksie66


    This post has been deleted.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,188 ✭✭✭Malayalam


    My Dad was the best Dad ever. In a skillion ways. Most amusing person I have ever met too, and handsome, and genuinely straight up, traditional, all cards on the table sort of guy - he had zero bull**** tolerance.

    One memory that sticks is him doing a 180 degree turn on a busy road without losing any speed and zooming back the way we had just come because I had carelessly told him some guy had been a dick to me. Haha! :D Had to talk him down from going to the fella's house and clobbering him. In fact when I was very much older some lads in the town told me none of the guys would go out with me when we were teens because they were scared of my Dad. :) And there was I thinking it was because I wasn't cool. Bring back Dads like that! There'd be no going out with only yer g-string and transparent tights on with that kind of Dad, I'm telling you.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,245 ✭✭✭myshirt


    My Dad would always say 'Give her one for me'.

    So on every second weekend during my late teens, with the latest conquest I'd always think 'This one is for my Dad'.

    Forever supportive.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,278 ✭✭✭Eggs For Dinner


    Started to type loads of things about my Da...Can't

    Miss you Da X


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,188 ✭✭✭Malayalam


    jacksie66 wrote: »
    I remember when I was very young and my father used to bring me to the bog on the bar of the bike. I can still remember having my arms around him and listening to him breathing. At night he used to tell me all these amazing stories he'd come up with. He's my absolute hero. A man I aspire to be like everyday..

    Instant tears! :) Ahhh...Dads.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,453 ✭✭✭Shenshen


    Well, the moments I remember most clearly was when he had me reduced to tears, ranting at me that I was a useless loser, a fat pig and that he was ashamed I was his daughter.

    I haven't spoken to him in well over 20 years now, only one of my brothers still keeps in touch with him. The softest of us all, he told me once he hates him, too, but kind of feels a sense of responsability for him.

    On the plus side, he's giving me a shining example of what I NEVER, EVER, EVER want to be like.

    When he finally does kick the bucket, I know there'll be lots of people celebrating.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 5,106 ✭✭✭PlaneSpeeking


    My dad took me to football from when I was 6 till he thought I was old enough to go alone as a teenager.

    My mum passed when I was 22 and my brother moved out soon after, just me and him since then.

    He's been in a nursing home with dementia the last two years and though I try not to admit it too often, damn I miss him. But I miss the dad before that ****er of an illness got it's hooks into him.

    If I was to list everything he'd done for me it would break the internet and leave Kardashian's arse in the ha'penny place.

    If your dad is with you, tell him you love him. While he knows what you're saying.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,868 ✭✭✭fancy pigeon


    I could rattle on all day about all the good things over the years, but the main things my dad taught me are determination and a life self sustained/to do things myself and not to rely on others. Those 2 attributes have shaped me into the person I am today.

    We share the same interests, thus spend plenty of time on tasks, projects and trips together, usually having a good laugh in the process


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 5,106 ✭✭✭PlaneSpeeking


    Shenshen wrote: »
    Well, the moments I remember most clearly was when he had me reduced to tears, ranting at me that I was a useless loser, a fat pig and that he was ashamed I was his daughter.

    I haven't spoken to him in well over 20 years now, only one of my brothers still keeps in touch with him. The softest of us all, he told me once he hates him, too, but kind of feels a sense of responsability for him.

    On the plus side, he's giving me a shining example of what I NEVER, EVER, EVER want to be like.

    When he finally does kick the bucket, I know there'll be lots of people celebrating.

    That's sad.

    A mate had a toxic relationship with her mother and vowed to be the best mother ever to her son, she's lived up to that.

    I am sure you will too.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 896 ✭✭✭mimimcmc


    Shenshen wrote: »
    Well, the moments I remember most clearly was when he had me reduced to tears, ranting at me that I was a useless loser, a fat pig and that he was ashamed I was his daughter.

    I haven't spoken to him in well over 20 years now, only one of my brothers still keeps in touch with him. The softest of us all, he told me once he hates him, too, but kind of feels a sense of responsability for him.

    On the plus side, he's giving me a shining example of what I NEVER, EVER, EVER want to be like.

    When he finally does kick the bucket, I know there'll be lots of people celebrating.

    Similar here, haven't spoke to him in about 16 years and I literally can not think of one nice thing he has ever done or said, I do remember seeing videos of me being glued to him as a toddler, but that was probably just "daddy's girl" kinda age..
    Last I heard he lives in England, couldn't really care less if he was dead or alive at this point, my mother was the best mother and father ever


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 57,077 ✭✭✭✭tayto lover


    Shenshen wrote: »
    Well, the moments I remember most clearly was when he had me reduced to tears, ranting at me that I was a useless loser, a fat pig and that he was ashamed I was his daughter.

    I haven't spoken to him in well over 20 years now, only one of my brothers still keeps in touch with him. The softest of us all, he told me once he hates him, too, but kind of feels a sense of responsability for him.

    On the plus side, he's giving me a shining example of what I NEVER, EVER, EVER want to be like.

    When he finally does kick the bucket, I know there'll be lots of people celebrating.
    I play golf with a man who didn't talk to his dad for 8 years.
    His dad died suddenly and it's eating my friend up that he never tried to make peace and withstood his dad's efforts to do so.
    You don't have to like your dad or be too close to him but at least ring him and have a little bit of contact. It will make it easier in the long run. He's still your dad.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,634 ✭✭✭✭Graces7


    My earthly dad? How long a list? Abuser, almost equalling Henry 8th... leaving damaged women and kids behind... Long gone now.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,634 ✭✭✭✭Graces7


    I play golf with a man who didn't talk to his dad for 8 years.
    His dad died suddenly and it's eating my friend up that he never tried to make peace and withstood his dad's efforts to do so.
    You don't have to like your dad or be too close to him but at least ring him and have a little bit of contact. It will make it easier in the long run. He's still your dad.

    I tried that with mine. To be insulted and reviled all over again. Was not even told he was dead .... decided to try again and he had died years before and never a thought. Nb a long illness so no excuse. He hurt by living and he hurt by dying. I forgave over and over and over.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,736 ✭✭✭Irish Guitarist


    When I was around five years old my father bought a goat with the intention of fattening her up and killing her to eat. I didn't realise this and I named her Jennifer Hart.

    I grew up thinking that my father had given this goat back to whoever he bought her from and gotten his money back. Now I'm fairly sure that never happened. It's just not the type of thing he would have done.

    So I most likely ate Jennifer Hart.

    dd118e01e2059acdb1b53b47dadbfffc--stephanie-powers-hart-to-hart.jpg


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,097 ✭✭✭amcalester


    Went for a pint with him last week, he gave me money to buy a round.

    I'm mid-30's with a well paying job but it's moments like that that make me realize I'll always be his kid.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,453 ✭✭✭Shenshen


    That's sad.

    A mate had a toxic relationship with her mother and vowed to be the best mother ever to her son, she's lived up to that.

    I am sure you will too.

    Thanks, but it wasn't so much parenting I had in mind when I said he gave a good example of how not to be. I was more thinking about everyone you encounter in life. By setting himself as one of the worst examples, he taught me (I hope) not to be arrogant, not to be judgemental, to give people the benefit of the doubt, to listen to them and to take them as they are, not as you expect them to be.
    Not sure I'm living up to it, but I'm certainly trying every day. :D

    So in a way, even an arsehole of a dad can still teach you valuable lessons.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,634 ✭✭✭✭Graces7


    When I was around five years old my father bought a goat with the intention of fattening her up and killing her to eat. I didn't realise this and I named her Jennifer Hart.

    I grew up thinking that my father had given this goat back to whoever he bought her from and gotten his money back. Now I'm fairly sure that never happened. It's just not the type of thing he would have done.

    So I most likely ate Jennifer Hart.

    dd118e01e2059acdb1b53b47dadbfffc--stephanie-powers-hart-to-hart.jpg

    Aww. Mine did that with my rabbit, with chickens I loved, shot sparrows in front of me.... Only found out as a twenty something that he had had my pet rabbit served up as dinner. threw up then I did.. :eek:. Poor Popeye...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,453 ✭✭✭Shenshen


    I play golf with a man who didn't talk to his dad for 8 years.
    His dad died suddenly and it's eating my friend up that he never tried to make peace and withstood his dad's efforts to do so.
    You don't have to like your dad or be too close to him but at least ring him and have a little bit of contact. It will make it easier in the long run. He's still your dad.

    Yes, I hear that quite a bit.
    When I broke off contact with him, I broke off contact with his side of the family altogether. A number of them (including both my grandparents) have died since, and to be honest, I didn't have the slightest emotional reaction to that when I heard.

    He's never made any attempt at getting in touch with me, or with my brother. The brother who still has contact with him told me once that he's never once mentioned either of us since we broke off contact.

    When my parents split up (2nd happiest day of my life so far, only exclipsed by my wedding day), I had to take him to court to pay child support for me and my brothers. I was the one who had to step up due to the way German courts handle legal aid. My mother was working part-time as a nurse back then. Her salary wasn't enough to cover our monthly outgoings, but because she had an income, she would not have qualified for legal aid. My brothers were still under 16, I had only just turned 16, but was still at school. I didn't have any income, so if I brought the case forward, I could avail of legal aid.
    He proceeded to try and terrorise me into stopping the proceedings, constant phone calls, waiting in front of the house to intimidate me, it was quite nasty. However, for me it was strangely cathargic. I ended up laughing in his face and telling him I'd put in for a restraining order on top of the child support case if he didn't stop. I finally felt free.

    I don't owe him anything, and I have literally said all I ever had to say to him. I honestly don't expect to be feeling anything once he dies. Other than maybe happy for my mother, who is still scared of him.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,736 ✭✭✭Irish Guitarist


    Graces7 wrote: »
    Aww. Mine did that with my rabbit, with chickens I loved, shot sparrows in front of me.... Only found out as a twenty something that he had had my pet rabbit served up as dinner. threw up then I did.. :eek:. Poor Popeye...

    My father used to leave out food for the birds. If any crows went to eat the food though he'd shoot them. At a family dinner a couple of years ago my family were telling 'funny' stories about how my father shot the neighbours dog in the leg. I can't say I found it as hilarious as everyone else seemed to.


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  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 5,106 ✭✭✭PlaneSpeeking


    My father used to leave out food for the birds. If any crows went to eat the food though he'd shoot them. At a family dinner a couple of years ago my family were telling 'funny' stories about how my father shot the neighbours dog in the leg. I can't say I found it as hilarious as everyone else seemed to.

    WTF is wrong with some people ?

    We had pet chickens and when one was sick my dad sent me to the shops rather than I see anything. Good dads protect kids from that s**t.


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