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Quality Time with Dad

k_estela

k_estela

Co-Moderator, Wilderness and Survival Skills Forum
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"What's he doing? He's stupid". The words of my father as we watch Man vs.Wild here on my winter break."When you're from the Islands, you do that everyday. You can't pay me to do that now.It's not that easy my boy. Running water is so nice!" We're sitting here and he's pointing out how he did things in similar situations.I'm a captive audience joking with him and absorbing even more knowledge years after my first lesson as a child. We haven't sat down to watch a show like this in a while and I can't tell you the fun it is to have my life-loving 70 year young dad tell me all about it. Those of you who know me know my father has taught me many skills over the years from his own experiences in the wilderness. This isn't a thread bashing Bear Grylls or T.V.but one to make you think about the amazing father/son relationships out there. For those of you lucky enough to have them, be thankful because no manual, no show and no forum can replace that. Knives, gear or toys can't compare,this is one of my greatest presents this Christmas.

Merry Christmas guys.
 
It's great that you're spending some quality time with your dad.

Merry Christmas !
 
It's amazing how smart my Pop suddenly became after I'd had a few years on my own out in the real world. Dad and I are very close now after spending a whole year together putting a basement (full) under him and Mom's house. I happened to be "in between" jobs at the time and Dad offered me a job. Yes, two of us pretty much built the entire basement.
 
My Dad is my best friend. Never would've thought I'd say that when I was 17. I guess he did his job.
 
Ok, you are excused for not hanging with Riley, Marcelo and I today.

When my father was around he wasn't worth a damn Which just makes me want to be a better father to my daughter. So when I am 70 maybe she'll still want to spend some time with me.. :)

Merry Christmas
 
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I gotta agree with Tony. Not much feelings can be had for an abusive alcoholic. I envy y'all that had dads that are friends. Sure, I learned from mine, but it was always at the end of a belt or fist or whatever projectile was nearby. I am sure I will miss him when he's gone, but the holidays are always tough around him. Hell, he already ran one of my brothers off to join the USMC to get away. Ah well, at least I know what not to do, right?
 
Great post. I get along well with my dad, but he isn't wasn't into the outdoor things too much when he was young or when he was older. He spent most of his preferred jobs as a musician, sometimes jazz, sometimes country, somtimes folk. Him and my daughter, a saxophone player and music major in university have a lot more in common with each other.

I remember when my dad and I used to watch TV it was mostly boxing. I had a little bit of my TKD training to know what was what and he just liked watching boxing a lot. He also wasn't one of those guys who got all swayed by a person's power, but rather he appreciated a good boxing match that demonstrated technique. His all time favorite bout was the rumble in the jungle with Ali and George Foreman, where Ali just let Georgie punch his guard along the ropes until he ran out of stamina. Then Ali just toyed for a while and finished him off.

Thats how it goes with father-son relationships. You just have to find those little commonalities and spent the time to let your bonds grow. Dang though, isn't easy to just not spend time. This thread is a good reminder of what the holidays are about and the importance of family.
 
k_estela said:
For those of you lucky enough to have them, be thankful because no manual, no show and no forum can replace that. Knives, gear or toys can't compare,this is one of my greatest presents this Christmas.

Merry Christmas guys.
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Merry Christmas to you and your family as well, Kevin.

I am lucky to have had my Dad for thirteen years. I wish it could have been longer but, that's just the way life is.

Everyone really needs to look to their elders now for information before it is all gone.
 
Don Rearic said:
Merry Christmas to you and your family as well, Kevin.

I am lucky to have had my Dad for thirteen years. I wish it could have been longer but, that's just the way life is.

Everyone really needs to look to their elders now for information before it is all gone.
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Man, that just hit home. My oldest son is thirteen, and I can't imagine not watching him grow any more, or being able to guide him any more. Same with my two younger boys, 11 and 8. I really learned to appreciate my dad when I started having sons. He was never "out-doorsy", although we went "camping", and did a lot of fun stuff as a family. But he also always worked hard to take care of us, and was very strict about showing respect to our mother and other adults. Thanks for reminding me, Don, and K_estela.
 
Like someone else said, "My dad really got smart while I was in boot camp."

I was three years old before I met my dad, he was gone to WWII. Because of that, we didn't get off to a good start. Also, my dad was a work-a-holic. He seldom had time to hunt and fish and camp. He died while I was in Naum. I was 19 at the time.

A lot of time has past and all I can say is that Pray that I leave this world being even half the man that he was. Dad, I love you where ever you are.
 
udtjim said:
Like someone else said, "My dad really got smart while I was in boot camp."

I was three years old before I met my dad, he was gone to WWII. Because of that, we didn't get off to a good start. Also, my dad was a work-a-holic. He seldom had time to hunt and fish and camp. He died while I was in Naum. I was 19 at the time.

A lot of time has past and all I can say is that Pray that I leave this world being even half the man that he was. Dad, I love you where ever you are.
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That just blows me away...your father is a true hero that made this country so great and I understand the father work-a-holic syndrome, but I feel the same way about my father.

In fact my father's 75th birthday was two days ago. With all the deployments, busy scheduled and the recent move, it's been hard to make it home. He's now planning a trip down here to GA which will be valuable time to spend with him including my son.

My father raised me better than I could hope for and we did spend several backpacking, canoe trips and camping trips together. I wish I was stationed closer to home over the past 15 years, but it just hasn't worked out too well. Even at 75, he has more knowledge than my little sponge-brain can absorb!

Thanks for sharing Kevin, Merry Christmas to you all as well,

ROCK6
 
That's really great, Kev. Take full advantage of it while you can.

I wish I had of been able to spend more time with my dad. Once they're gone, it's too late.
 
My dad is 70 too and I know what you mean. They did more with less back then. In your case, If the apple is any indication of the tree, your dad must be one cool man.
 
Don Rearic said:
Merry Christmas to you and your family as well, Kevin.

I am lucky to have had my Dad for thirteen years. I wish it could have been longer but, that's just the way life is.

Everyone really needs to look to their elders now for information before it is all gone.
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Wow, it's hard to imagine that Don. My son is also nearing eleven years old. I've been through three deployments for a total of about 2.5 years of his life and it really impacts him negatively. He's a good kid, but takes the deployments real hard...I couldn't imagine how hard it would be for him if I never made it back home. Good news is that I'll be stable for the next year or so...I'll have to make the most of it.

ROCK6
 
ROCK6 said:
Wow, it's hard to imagine that Don. My son is also nearing eleven years old. I've been through three deployments for a total of about 2.5 years of his life and it really impacts him negatively. He's a good kid, but takes the deployments real hard...I couldn't imagine how hard it would be for him if I never made it back home. Good news is that I'll be stable for the next year or so...I'll have to make the most of it.

ROCK6
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You've got a great new place, Rock: perfect for a kid to grow up in. You've also got some time to spend with him. I'd say that's the best of all worlds.

I didn't get to spend as much time with my dad as I would have liked (same scenario: he was a career Marine). Then I made the mistake of always being deployed when my son was young, and I regret it to this day. It's bad when you come home and they don't know who you are.
 
One of my sons will be turning 21 soon. We had a great relationship until he was three. I then spent the next seven years deployed, TDY, field, or in schools. I noticed that it had a major impact on our relationship despite my best intentions. I know one thing for sure, I have done far better as a father than mine did with me.
 
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