One of the BEST Moments of my Adult Life

[TriggerT]

So this last Sunday my parents came out to our house to see the new baby. (As if I wasn't having a really great week with the birth of my 2nd child). While they were out, my dad said something to me that I will NEVER, EVER, forget and I have already made a point to say the same thing to my children when the time comes.

First, a little back ground on my dad. I think saying that he was a Drill Instructor during the early days of the Vietnam war gives you an idea of how things ran around our house growing up. My dad and I don't have much in common, which is not to say we don't get along or don't love each other, but there just isn't that much to talk about when we are together.

As we were walking out to get somethings out of his car he turned to me and said:

"I want to tell you that I am proud of how you have turned out, as a son, as a husband, as a father, and as a man."

To say I was stunned is a massive understatement. I think I knew he felt that way, but to hear him say it meant the world to me.

So if you are a father, and if your children have made you proud, make sure to tell them. I can tell you for a FACT that it means more than any present or other material gift you might give them.

 

[FJRSTAR]

Outstanding...you made the grade.

All we can do is thank them for letting us know how they really, really feel about us. I wish my Dad had done that for me more often.

 

[cougar8000]

Thanks Tim. We sure don't need much from our loved one.

 

[phil]

So this last Sunday my parents came out to our house to see the new baby. (As if I wasn't having a really great week with the birth of my 2nd child). While they were out, my dad said something to me that I will NEVER, EVER, forget and I have already made a point to say the same thing to my children when the time comes.
First, a little back ground on my dad. I think saying that he was a Drill Instructor during the early days of the Vietnam war gives you an idea of how things ran around our house growing up. My dad and I don't have much in common, which is not to say we don't get along or don't love each other, but there just isn't that much to talk about when we are together.

As we were walking out to get somethings out of his car he turned to me and said:

"I want to tell you that I am proud of how you have turned out, as a son, as a husband, as a father, and as a man."

To say I was stunned is a massive understatement. I think I knew he felt that way, but to hear him say it meant the world to me.

So if you are a father, and if your children have made you proud, make sure to tell them. I can tell you for a FACT that it means more than any present or other material gift you might give them.

Trigger, I have had the pleasure of being both in your position, and in your Father's! My Dad passed in 1979. I can tell you that most Old-Timer fathers were not vocal in expressing their love for their children . . . somewhat better with grandchildren. It was an unspoken rule that the man's role was to provide material sustenance and family discipline. My Father was near 70 before I heard him utter the L-word. But those last few years, we were as much like close friends as we were relatives. In fact, my 3 siblings, in later years, confessed their jealosy for my relationship with Daddy in his maturity.

I made sure to pass that goal much earlier, in relating to my own 2 sons. So we all have a pretty tight relationship. Enjoy him while you can. Best regards, Phil.

 

[RiderCoach Lar]

Just for the record, Tim, we're all proud of how you turned out as a RIDER. As a son, husband, father, and a man......well, let's just say the jury is still out :dntknw: But as a rider, we're proud of you :thumbsup:

That should count for somethin'

 

[TriggerT]

Just for the record, Tim, we're all proud of how you turned out as a RIDER. As a son, husband, father, and a man......well, let's just say the jury is still out :dntknw: But as a rider, we're proud of you :thumbsup:
That should count for somethin'

Larry,

I don't think we have ever ridden together. Just ask Wheaton, I ride like an old woman. I don't think my FJR has ever been over 67 MPH.

As far as my manhood, why don't you come over some time, and I will prove it to you......sweetie!

 

[RiderCoach Lar]

There's a lot to be said about riding like an old woman. Hell, I've been accused of that myself. As far as proving ************ goes, however, probably the less said about that the better :blink:

 

[wheatonFJR]

Just for the record, Tim, we're all proud of how you turned out as a RIDER. As a son, husband, father, and a man......well, let's just say the jury is still out :dntknw: But as a rider, we're proud of you :thumbsup:
That should count for somethin'

Larry,

I don't think we have ever ridden together. Just ask Wheaton, I ride like an old woman. I don't think my FJR has ever been over [SIZE=10pt]155 MPH[/SIZE].

....

-fixed that for ya-

Hey Tim,

As far as riding skills...you gots more than me.

As far as parenting skills...you and your wife have the joy of figuring that out.

As far as the words from your Dad...priceless.

 

[Zorlac]

"I don't think my FJR has ever been over 67 MPH."

WOW!

 

[FJRMGM]

one of the best things I ever heard from my dear departed Dad (who wasn't one for compliments) was when he told me how proud he was of me and my life.

I thanked him for helping me be that person.

 

[Murph]

I found this thread to be quite enlightening and thought-provoking ...until that 67 mph comment. Now I just wonder if it was all lies. :dntknw:

 

[RiderCoach Lar]

I blame myself for trying to interject some humor......warped humor, but humor nonetheless......into the thread. The whole thing went to hell in a handbasket from there.

My apologies.

 

[Murph]

On a more serious note, I had a similar ...but not exactly the same as Trigger's ... experience occur and I greatly appreciated it but also felt a bit awkward. I can not agree more with FJRSTAR's response above.

What a memory to carry with you, Trigger ... and what a legacy that your father will leave (and that you are now convicted to pass it on to your own.) :thumbsup:

 

[TriggerT]

I blame myself for trying to interject some humor......warped humor, but humor nonetheless......into the thread. The whole thing went to hell in a handbasket from there.
My apologies.

Actually, the humorous part (and this part is true unlike the 67MPH comment) was after my dad said that to me, there was a pause and I said, OK I am waiting for the BUT. We both had a good laugh at that. Looking forward to spending the day with him and my son this Saturday.

 

[Auburn]

Trigger - Thanks for sharing. As a parent, I agree we sometimes forget how much that meant to us as we grew up. I was lucky, I got to hear it from my mom, dad and stepdad. I thought back instantly to when those conversations occured with each of them. As you say, it is amazing how important it is to hear those words from our parents.

This is a good reminder that I need to make sure my kids and wife hear them from me too.

 

[Breadman]

Good thread, Tim. My pop and I have gone leaps and bounds since my early 20's - mainly because he's so much less of a jag now that he's off the sauce. I am too now. Doesn't mix well with riding.

I plan to tell my 7 year old I love him...I've just been kinda busy as of late.

P.S. I heard an FJR will do about 80 MPH, though I've not been comfortable enough to try that!!

 

[Fencer]

As we were walking out to get somethings out of his car he turned to me and said:
"I want to tell you that I am proud of how you have turned out, as a son, as a husband, as a father, and as a man."

To say I was stunned is a massive understatement. I think I knew he felt that way, but to hear him say it meant the world to me.

My father (Also a Vietnam Era Marine) said almost the same thing to me several months back. I have gotten to a point that if I am working in his end of town, I'll try to meet him for lunch once a month. He hit me with this and it was like a freight train out of the blue. I'll take that hit any day!!

 

[rickysnickers]

So this last Sunday my parents came out to our house to see the new baby. (As if I wasn't having a really great week with the birth of my 2nd child). While they were out, my dad said something to me that I will NEVER, EVER, forget and I have already made a point to say the same thing to my children when the time comes.
First, a little back ground on my dad. I think saying that he was a Drill Instructor during the early days of the Vietnam war gives you an idea of how things ran around our house growing up. My dad and I don't have much in common, which is not to say we don't get along or don't love each other, but there just isn't that much to talk about when we are together.

As we were walking out to get somethings out of his car he turned to me and said:

"I want to tell you that I am proud of how you have turned out, as a son, as a husband, as a father, and as a man."

To say I was stunned is a massive understatement. I think I knew he felt that way, but to hear him say it meant the world to me.

So if you are a father, and if your children have made you proud, make sure to tell them. I can tell you for a FACT that it means more than any present or other material gift you might give them.

What a wonderful thing to hear from your father! I lost my dad when I was 21, in 1989. He was only 50 when he passed away. I often wonder what he would think of me now. Love your parents while you have them.

Rick

 

[devanator]

"I want to tell you that I am proud of how you have turned out, as a son, as a husband, as a father, and as a man."
So if you are a father, and if your children have made you proud, make sure to tell them. I can tell you for a FACT that it means more than any present or other material gift you might give them.

I lost my Dad 11 years ago when he was 50. I still miss him, A LOT. But my Uncle said something very similar, (different words, similar jist) about two weeks ago. I was very appreciative of the comment. My Uncle was like my second Dad. You are right though, tells your kids how you feel about them. It means the world to them. Nice thread TiggerT

devanator/Mike