Happy Father's Day

Where Dad grew up:


Chipman, NB. The youngest of four children.



What he wanted to be when he grew up:


Air Traffic Controller



His favourite hockey team:


Toronto. Dad also was the goalie for his highschool hockey team.


A favourite picture:














Go ahead...make his day.  :)

A favourite childhood memory:

Up until the age of 5, we lived inWoodstock, NB and every Saturday morning I would go with him to the community stables where he boarded his horse.

Each visit was the same.  I would go in to the stall with a few peppermints in hand and say good morning to Big Mac.  After sufficiently getting underfoot I would leave Dad to his work and wander down the row of barn stalls to do my weekly visits.  

My first stop would always be see Dalmus, a gentle giant of a man who to a little kid seemed to be at least 100 years old. Climbing up on to the wobbly stool beside him, he would play me a tune on his harmonica, “Old Suzanna, now don’t you cry for me…” Yup, we had great chats Dalmus and I did. 

Saying our "goodbyes and see you next weeks" I'd hop off my perch and movie along to the far end of the row to find the Greer girls, the daughters of Dad’s dear friend, Bob.  They would always hoist me up into the saddle and take me for a ride around the grounds. Jane would later keep me busy assigning me to “brush” duty.


This particular Saturday morning was no different, for the most part.  And despite remembering it vividly, I will recount the rest of the story from Dad’s perspective:

"I look up and around the end of the row of barns comes Jane walking her horse with Tammy trailing along side.


A few minutes later, they circle around again only this time Tammy was walking the horse as Jane walked along side.

The third time around, Tammy was walking the horse but this time there was no Jane anywhere in sight! There was this little four year old walking a huge horse like it was no problem at all. Heart in my throat, I dropped everything and ran over to take over the reigns, literally."


To this day, I can remember the expression on Dad’s face, but for the life of me, I just couldn’t figure out why he looked so panicked. What Daddy? I have it under control.



His nickname:


Rodger Dodger. (And everyone knows that if you ever need help, just call Rodger Dodger.)

A proud moment:

During Dad's company retirement party, the company President stood at the front of the ballroom and called the retirees up on by one up to congratulate them. When Dad arrived to the stage, the President broke from the script and turned Dad around to face the audience.  Standing behind him with hand on his shoulder, the President proceeded to tell everyone how much Dad had meant to him. 

Apparently when the President was just starting out with the company many moons ago, he was met with a rather collective cold shoulder.  He went on to say that Dad was the guy that took him under his wing and always made the time to teach him the ropes. It obviously meant a lot to him as he said he never forgot Dad's kindness. The round of applause that arose from the crowd made it apparent that the President wasn't the only person Dad had looked out for over his 35 year career with the company.



What I respect about him the most:


There are so many things but I would have to say his work ethic. Dad worked for the telephone company for over 30 years, and I rarely remember him ever taking a sick day. He also spent much of his career travelling an hour to and from work but was never late…even in snow storms.

His work ethic is also demonstrated in how respectful he is of the homestead land.  He would rather spend hours picking bugs off plants and hand weeding his gardens and blueberry fields than relying on pesticides.   He personifies that quote "the greatest fertilizer is the farmer's shadow."

Things I have learned from him:

1. A love for horses. To this day, the best smell in the world to me is the inside of a horse barn.
2. How to use power tools – like a sliding compound mitre saw, air compressors and brad nailers. Not only can I use them, I own them. 
3. If you're going to do it, do it right.
4. If you say you're going to do it, do it.
5. Not to be afraid of hard work.  Getting your hands dirty is how you learn best. 

Three things I probably never said thank you for:

1. Teaching me how to drive. I received a 94% on my exam and when I told the guy who  administered my driving test that my Dad taught me, he responded by saying: “Tell him he did a good job. Most kids who take the Young Drivers’ Course don’t drive half as well as you." 
2. The countless hours he has given me in helping me renovate my house in Eastern Passage.
3. The beautiful hand-made hope chest he made for while I was in university.  It is one of my most prized possessions and during last year's wildfire, the thought of losing it made me heartsick.

One thing I wish he knew:


Dad has always said..." if it weren't for bad luck, he'd have no luck at all."  I wish I could convince him that there's no cloud following him, lol.  I think it's about perspective; someone else could look up and see the cloud but comment on how blue the sky is around it.




(That said, however, he does seem to have a higher than normal account of rain on camping and canoeing trips.)


I hope he knows...

1. Even though it never gets said, my brother and I know and appreciate just how much he and mom had to give up as young parents.  To raise their family, they had to let go of their own dreams...like being an air traffic controller.
2. How proud I am when people say, “Oh you’re Roger’s daughter.”
3. To this day, I still hope that my decisions meet his approval. It will always be that way.

What I love about him the most:

That he's my Daddy!

Happy Fathers Day! xo

And with one last pause

the farmer gazes out across the field.

Grateful for all that it has offered,

he reflects on the hands that helped him turn it.

Still stained with dirt and rough with work

his own hands show testament to the months of solstice.

Smiling, he lingers over a humble sense of pride,

one that need not be spoken.

The sun sits low in the late October sky

assuring him that for now his work is done.

With relief in his bones and reluctance in his heart,

the farmer turns away, content.

Sleep tight sweet soil, rest well red field

for you have truly earned it.

Sleep tight gentle farmer, rest well,

for you have truly earned it too.

                      -ts