Dear Dad letter published - thanks for everyone's help

mommie4a · Jun 2, 2005

Here's the published piece - thanks for everyone's help.

http://www.clevelandakronfamily.com/Mommy%20MattersJune.htm

eldragon · Jun 2, 2005

Jill, that's a nice letter, and one that I'm sure your dad will love to read for father's day.

You are so lucky to have your dad. My dad died 10 years ago, at the age of 60. And, just like yours.......he spent his entire life working, running a business and always busy. Just like your dad, my dad took us on great vacations every year.

My dad was brilliant and kind, moral and gracious. His entire life was devoted to doing what was right. He never waivered in his convictions. He always knew what to say, and waited to be asked.

I was still acting stupid when he died.

What a shame. I had thirty years to learn from him, and didn't take advantage of it. And, now - at 41 - when I would cherish the opportunity, it's gone.

So, for Father's Day .....to those of you lucky enough to have a great father who is still alive - take advantage of the time you have left together. Drop what you're doing and visit him. And listen.

mommie4a · Jun 2, 2005

eldragon said:
Jill, that's a nice letter, and one that I'm sure your dad will love to read for father's day.

You are so lucky to have your dad. My dad died 10 years ago, at the age of 60. And, just like yours.......he spent his entire life working, running a business and always busy. Just like your dad, my dad took us on great vacations every year.

My dad was brilliant and kind, moral and gracious. His entire life was devoted to doing what was right. He never waivered in his convictions. He always knew what to say, and waited to be asked.

I was still acting stupid when he died.

What a shame. I had thirty years to learn from him, and didn't take advantage of it. And, now - at 41 - when I would cherish the opportunity, it's gone.

So, for Father's Day .....to those of you lucky enough to have a great father who is still alive - take advantage of the time you have left together. Drop what you're doing and visit him. And listen.

Thanks so much for sharing those sentiments, Eldragon.

You should write about yours, if you haven't already! I'm sure you will touch others, which is something I think I kind of failed to do with my piece. I told the editor as much but she didn't feel that way.

Lovely thoughts you've expressed.

DJP · Jun 2, 2005

Jill,

I loved your letter. Having a special bond with your Dad is a real gift. My idol piece this week is nonfiction, and I gave that letter to my Dad. After reading yours, I want to make sure I tell my Dad about more of my positive treasured memories. Maybe I'll write him another letter, one that doesn't have any negatives. Thanks for sharing. :Hug2:

Vanessa · Jun 2, 2005

Great Letter!

I lost my dad in '91 due to cancer, and he is truly missed.

maestrowork · Jun 2, 2005

Congrats, Jill! It's wonderful.

(p.s. with that sentiment, you will like my book... *shameless plug*)

awatkins · Jun 2, 2005

Lovely, Jill. I'm sure it will be very meaningful to your father--and to many of your readers, as well. Thanks for sharing the link.

JennaGlatzer · Jun 2, 2005

DJP, wow! How did your dad react? Did you just give it to him? You did a beautiful job of being loving while talking about the problem.

Nice (and funny) letter, Jill.

ChunkyC · Jun 2, 2005

Nice letter, Jill.

As a papa of a daughter, I can say I would love to be on the receiving end of a letter like that.

mdmkay · Jun 2, 2005

GREAT WORK JILL :Clap:

Of all the revisions you've written I truely think this one is the very best. You went from a loving letter from a daughter to a complex, complicated thank you, I love you, type letter that he will treasure for a lifetime.

DJP · Jun 2, 2005

DJP, wow! How did your dad react? Did you just give it to him? You did a beautiful job of being loving while talking about the problem.

Jenna,
I emailed the letter to my Mom first, and she printed it out for my Dad. Mom said 'That about says it all, doesn't it?'. When I got up the guts to ask my Dad about it, he hadn't taken it out of the envelope yet. But, he gave me permission to use it in the contest from what my Mom said about it. Dad and I have talked since, but I haven't asked again if he read it yet, and he hasn't said. I think I'll give him a little time, and hopefully he'll bring it up when he's comfortable talking about it. I just pray that he understands I'm trying to be positive and supportive.

BradyH1861 · Jun 2, 2005

That was a very nice letter. Would you like to send a copy to my dad? We are a lot closer now that I am all grown up with a family of my own than we ever were when I was a child. (after all, I did name my son after him, so he has to be nice to me now)

The one thing that has disturbed me, however, is that now I see myself turning into him. He was great in a lot of ways, but seriously lacking in others. If you ever watch or watched the TV show King of the Hill, Hank Hill is a carbon copy of my father. Strange, isn't it.

Congrats on publishing the letter. It was very nicely done.

Brady H.

mommie4a · Jun 2, 2005

To each of you and any others here after: Some of you critiqued me when I was working on this piece, which turned into a real struggle. So I mean it when I say thank you for your help and your kind words. And I'm especially glad that its caused readers to think about their own relationship with their dads - or maybe even their kids as you may see yourself as a dad. Although I had serious concerns about how well I would connect to the readers, you've all made me feel a lot more comfortable. Thank you. I hope I can reciprocate the help and support.

Susie · Jun 2, 2005

Congrats, Mommie, on a beautiful letter published! Well done.

Hugs, Susie

Cabria · Jun 2, 2005

Hey Jill!

Congrats on that! I have a submission on market review with Blue Mountain Arts done in a letter format from daughter to father - specifically written for Father's Day. I'll let you know if it ever gets accepted. If it doesn't, well, ya just won't hear from me! lol

Deb

rhymegirl · Jun 2, 2005

I enjoyed your letter to dad, Jill! Very well-written. Yes, it does cause people to think about their own dads. I never really got along with mine very well. He always seemed to be in a bad mood. I think that's because, unlike your dad, he didn't have a job he loved. He went to work to put food on the table, to support a family of six.

But he mellowed out a lot as the years went by, especially once he retired. When he retired, he finally got to do some of the things he loved, such as painting and songwriting.

P.S.
Sorry, it's the proofreader in me, but did anyone else notice there were a couple of boo-boos? In the third paragraph, they have "to" late, instead of "too."
And in the bio at the end they have "freelancer" writer. :Shrug:

CACTUSWENDY · Jun 2, 2005

...And the mighty 'Five Banana Award' for your good works.

Congrats..... :Clap:

Linoge · Jun 2, 2005

Congratulations, Jill!

It must be exciting to have something published. I read your letter with a green eye.

VOTE_BOT · Jun 3, 2005

brokenfingers · Jun 3, 2005

Hey congrats on the letter Jill! That was great!

I think this version was the best also. Kudos!!!

Celeste · Jun 3, 2005

Fabulous letter, Jill! Very, very nice....

Congrats getting it published. :Clap:

Rose Red · Jun 4, 2005

Congrats, that was a lovely piece!

Dear Dad letter published - thanks for everyone's help

mommie4a

Mother of All Addictions

eldragon

in a van down by the river

mommie4a

Mother of All Addictions

DJP

pounding away at the piano..

Vanessa

Writer and Music Producer

maestrowork

Fear the Death Ray

awatkins

Not harboring illegal parrot

JennaGlatzer

wishes you happiness

ChunkyC

It's hard being green

mdmkay

DJP

pounding away at the piano..

BradyH1861

Hold Fast.

mommie4a

Mother of All Addictions

Susie

Thanks, special friend for my avi!

Cabria

rhymegirl

It's a New Year!

CACTUSWENDY

An old, sappy, and happy one.

Linoge

VOTE_BOT

Gott weiß ich will kein Engel sein

brokenfingers

Walkin' That Road

Celeste

Rose Red