Sunday 21 June 2015

Keep Calm: It's Father's Day

It's Father's Day, and we're having a nice quiet one: just the two of us. We have one off earning his keep, scoring at a cricket match; and the other one? We'll be heading out to pick her up later on. She's camping this weekend, with the Guides.

During the week I helped her pull together everything she needed (and yes, of course, half a rucksack full of other essentials besides) and I remembered the thrill of filling my own kit bag, tying on my sleeping bag, and heading out to find a campfire to light and a starry sky to sleep under.We'd come home exhausted:


filthy, smelling of smoke, spattered in grease, down a teaspoon or two. happy. We'd jostle off the bus, to find our parents lined up and waiting; and today of all days I can't help thinking of the day I came back from camp to find my dad had been running the Guide Bush Telegraph.

I was always fiercely proud of the tiny Welshman. he didn't look like the other dads - he was little, older - and he didn't sound like them either. He was well known in town as Head of the most interesting school around, where he nurtured kids facing every challenge life knows how to offer. But I was never more convinced that my dad knew more than  the other dads put together than that afternoon, when all the parents were there and the Guide Leader said..Sian's dad organised it.

We were late, see: thrown thoroughly off our schedule by a freak accident involving a train, a platform, a missed step and one Guide's trip to the local A and E Department. In the days before mobile phones that meant something. There were repercussions. No chance of a group text, nor a quick post on Facebook. Our Captain had to find a public phone box, pick a parent, leave a message, ask for it to be passed on. A Bush Telegraph, she called it, and she had chosen my dad to start it. Because he knew how to do anything. Obviously. That was probably one of the last times he was able to come and collect me before he got sick; but the memory of it flickers every so often, like one of those campfires round which we used to warm ourselves. I always think of it when someone says "sleeping bag", because he had insisted on buying me the thickest, finest one he could find. It's still in use today..

...which reminds me. I need to check my phone, just in case. We have a girl to collect and we need to be right on time. She'll be looking out for us.


26 comments:

Ruth said...

Sian, this is one of your loveliest posts ever! I'm sending you a {cyber} hug, just because.

Ali said...

What a lovely post and a great memory to treasure xxx

scrappyjacky said...

A wonderful tribute,Sian.

Eileen T said...

As the others have said, this is one of your loveliest posts. It was wonderful to read and your love of your Dad and how proud you felt, shine out in your writing. Thank you for sharing with us.

Julia said...

What a fabulous story and beautifully preserved on your page. I hope your girl has had a brilliant time at camp x

Anonymous said...

What a lovely story! Wonderful tribute to your dad.

debs14 said...

Oh Sian, what a lovely story. Your pride for your dad shines through every word. What a lucky girl you were x

MonicaB said...

Wonderful post. You can just feel the pride and love for your Dad in your words.

Becky said...

A wonderful layout for Fatther's Day. x

Karen said...

What a fabulous layout, and such wonderful memories! Thanks for sharing on this special day.

Gail said...

What a wonderful story about your Dad. It brought back memories I'd long forgotten of my Dad taking a bunch of us Guides to weekend camps - he was always the only one that volunteered. Thanks for bringing back those memories Sian.

doris sander said...

lovely post, sian.

Barbara Eads said...

Daddy to the rescue! "Keep calm and call dad" says it all!!

Alison said...

Sian, your post today is perfect! Xx

Lou said...

aww Sian, your dad your hero. It was a pleasure to read x x x

Lizzy Hill said...

What a moving post. Tears in Aussie.... your Dad looks a little like Robin Williams....or is it just me??? Anyways. Brill how you managed that pp behind it all & I adore the pop of bright colours with that 'keep calm' card....perfect for your story:):)

Patio Postcards said...

Lovely, lovely memories. Such a tribute scrap page ...Mary-Lou

Jennifer Shaw said...

Loved this post. It gave me goosebumps. Very touching. Also a beautiful page. I love the angle of the layering.

Lisa said...

hope you had a lovely Father's Day and thanks for sharing your thoughts on this particular moment you shared with your own father. Such lovely layout. As always. I'm always inspired by your story telling abilities. I have to ask though - your layout photos? They are so very specific in their look - is it a particular filter you always use that make them look so very interesting and unique.

Sian said...

I think he does in this picture..you're right!

Sian said...

Thanks Lisa..I honestly hadn't realised they had a specific look. I just sharpen and lighten them a little usually in Radlab. Get It Scrapped ask for no filters when we submit to them so very rarely I would re edit a GIS layout for my own blog, with a little more lightening, maybe or a spur of the moment filter choice

Jo said...

This is such a lovely post, it brought a tear to my eye and made me think of my dad who is no longer with us x

Susanne said...

Oh what a sweet page and story.

KraftyKaren said...

A fab layout and a great way of remembering a lovely story x

alexa said...

Very lovely page, Sian, and such a wonderful tribute to your Dad ... He sounds such a special person, so skilled and, I'm guessing, probably very unassuming. Your love and pride just seeps through.

Missus Wookie said...

Such a lovely post and memory to share. You sound so proud and he sounds so caring, loving and capable :)

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