This is not a problem post and no CF in sight this time. Just having a huge surge of sentimental love whooshing all over me today, as it is close to the anniversary of my lovely DF’s death. I am not looking for any sympathy, as I am at peace over his passing. It happened quite fast and he wasn’t very old but I am glad he was spared any prolonged suffering. He went out smiling with a daft joke.
Sitting here reminiscing and telling DC about their grandfather they sadly never knew. He was full of mischief and so loving. He had always done all the food shopping, menu planning and cooking, as my DM wasn’t so keen on doing it and he loved it. He also did all the ironing, another task my DM loathed. My beloved dad is the reason that I have such a wonderful blueprint for a life partner (I had a couple of duff BFs too). I don’t think one can really ever overestimate just how invaluable that is for a girl and later woman, as I do believe many of us model our choices on our parents, even if subconsciously. I have lately realised that my DH is reminding me more and more of my DF with his humour and in the way he is with the DC and this is why I adore the daft sod more and more, the longer we are together. I grew up thinking it was totally normal that parents shared all the household chores and there was no such thing as wife work, as my DM had a very good job. I remember being surprised when my friend’s mothers were at home and running around after their husbands and kids. I erupted into snorts of laughter when a former partner expected me to do his laundry etc.
After we left home and my parents moved to a place with a huge garden, they were able to have multiple rescue sight hounds and my father was in his element, cooking for them all. I recall sneaking into the kitchen when staying with them to nick some of their gorgeous stews. I have this image in my mind of how he used to open the fridge, usually to get out some morsels of cheese or a bit of ham with a line of expectant hounds behind him, all looking at what wonders might emerge from the ‘great white god’ aka the fridge. Love to hear your happy, sentimental memories of your parents or grandparents etc. My heart goes out to those of you who have bad memories like those in the Stately Homes thread.