Dad.

I love my dad.
We've always had a tempestuous relationship - probably because we are so much alike.
Since I've grown up and moved out and had a family of my own though, my dad and I have developed a special relationship.
We joke around and make corny jokes and puns, and have the same goofy sense of humour. We find the world funny.
I credit my dad for my sense of humour - I get it from him. He's always encouraged it, and dare I say adds to it.

From an early age, dad read to us, and fostered in each of us a deep love of books and the joy of reading for pleasure.
I have fond memories of being a young child and dad reading us poems and short stories before bedtime - he made them so alive, they leaped from the page, and still today when I read certain things, my dad's voice echoes in my mind. Stories of going to St. Ives and poems about purple cows all remind me of him.

I see how he is with my kids, and my love for him grows stronger and deeper. How he takes the time to play Frisbee with them in the backyard - How does he have the energy to keep up with them when I can barely do it?
He takes them for walks around the block - just like he used to do with me and my siblings. Our famous walks. Oh how we just loved walking and seeing the neighbourhood.
My kids adore him. They call him "poppa" and know that when they visit, Poppa will have something interesting for them. He spends hours with my oldest son with little attribute blocks (If you don't know what those are, you can google it).
He introduced the boys to a Speak and Spell. I still remember when he brought that home for US as kids. To see him get down with the boys and try to foster that same joy of learning - it's obvious that he's a teacher - a good one - and always will be.

I have such a deep respect for him - more than he knows. He is a Godly man, who loves his family, and his family loves him.

And as of this writing, he has been taken to a hospital by ambulance with chest pains.

I'm not ready to think of my dad as anything but invincible. He is my dad. He's strong and healthy and never gets sick.
I am scared, I will admit it.
I worry for my mum, because she's scared too - but is trying to be strong for our sake.
It's ok mum - you don't have to be strong - you can cry and feel scared. Your kids are all adults - Let us be there for you.
I know we are all mortal.
I just don't like to think about it.
I'm not ready yet.
Get well soon dad.

I love you.

UPDATE: July 14th -Mum called to say that dad is fine - they are keeping him at the hospital to run some 'tests', but hopefully he will be home this weekend and back to his old silly self.
Thankyou everyone for remembering us in your thoughts and prayers!

UPDATE AGAIN: July 15th - They are keeping him in hospital over the weekend. Turns out that he had a small heart attack and they want to be sure that he doesn't have another (bigger) one. They may transfer him to Sunnybrook (another hospital that specializes in critical care/trauma)
Again, we ask you for your thoughts and prayers for a complete recovery.