This past week my Dad celebrated his 70th Birthday. For weeks my sister and I struggled back and forth with the weakest of gift ideas. How would we ever find a present suitable for such an occasion? How do you ever start to re-pay your Dad for working too hard, commuting too long and ultimately giving us a childhood that although not story book perfect, (don’t think anyone has one of those) was pretty damn close. A 70th Birthday deserves something special right?
When I think back on my childhood my favourite memories revolve around the family cottage. Waiting for my Dad to get home on Friday nights. Pacing in the kitchen, my Mom with the cooler packed and the suitcases in the car. Occasionally getting yelled at on the long drive “up north” with a “Don’t make me pull this car over!” But most of all, my memories are of the too short weekends and the picture perfect summers at the lake.
My parents set the standard pretty high for childhood memories. How will I ever give my girls this kind of gift? Memories they will treasure forever. How will I ever repay my parents for taking us out of the city, teaching us to ski, fish like a dude, drive a boat with confidence, and become a best friend with my sister.
I hope this is a start….
