Happy birthday Dad.
Today you would have been 76.
The last time I saw you was when you were 60 … so I would love to sit down with you and talk about the last 16 years.
All the stuff I’ve done, all the mistakes I’ve made, all the dreams I still want to fulfil.
And I know you’d be full of questions … constantly stopping me mid-conversation to ask about something I’d view as trivial but you’d see as important because it would help you understand the journey, not just the highlights.
But you’d be fascinated by it all.
Where I’ve lived.
Where I’ve gone.
Who I’ve met.
And as much as I know you’d love whatever ridiculous gadget I’d got for your birthday, you’d regard this conversation as the best gift of them all.
It would be for me too.
And I know that you would love to look into Mum’s eyes and say how proud you are of her for how she has lived since you’ve been gone.
That you’d want to tell her how thankful you are for how she looked after you, even though we always knew from your eyes and hugs.
And you’d be telling her all this while gently holding and caressing her hand.
And I would remember when I was very young, I came into the lounge from the back of the house and saw you and Mum on the sofa – watching television while holding hands – and I said “stop being so silly”.
And I’d think what a fool I was.
Because I’d give anything to see that again.
And I know Mum would too.
And I know you’d be secretly happy that I have tears in my eyes as I type this.
You’d be sad that I was sad, but happy that you are still so much in my heart and mind.
And you are.
Every day.
Every single day.
I miss you Dad.
Happy birthday.
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Your dad would be proud of you Robert. Not just for all you have achieved but for your openness and generosity. You’re going to be a great dad.
Comment by George September 17, 2014 @ 6:27 amI can’t get past you having hair. Lego man hair.
Comment by Billy Whizz September 17, 2014 @ 6:32 amnow it all makes sense he wears birkenstocks.
Comment by andy@cynic September 17, 2014 @ 6:46 amIt’s hypnotic.
Comment by DH September 17, 2014 @ 8:06 amThis is a very touching birthday tribute to your father. You are a good man and a good son. Hugs to you and your mother.
Comment by Mary Bryant September 17, 2014 @ 6:37 amThose are awesome words. You’re an impressive guy. I’ve enjoyed your posts for a while now. Hope to meet you someday.
Fergus
Comment by Fergus September 17, 2014 @ 6:38 amJunction Lab, Chicago
your mums a babe. your dad looked like steve mcqueen. what the fuck happened to you? you might have a face like a punch bag and you might be prone to making spouting fucking planner bullshit but underneath it all, youre a good fucking guy.
i know for a fucking fact that if mr c was here, after asking you what took you so long to become a dad, hed say hes proud of you and so he should be. nice words campbell. look after yourself and your mum.
Comment by andy@cynic September 17, 2014 @ 6:45 amLovely words Rob. I wish I could be as open as you. Even though you have written about your childhood a few times, actually seeing you as a child is a bit crazy. Hope today is OK for your Mum and you.
Comment by Pete September 17, 2014 @ 7:03 amGood man.
Comment by Lee Hill September 17, 2014 @ 7:08 amHugs.
Jemma x
Comment by Jemma King September 17, 2014 @ 7:21 amThanks folks. And sorry about the Lego Man hair. It is a bit alarming isn’t it. [But, as my Dad would say, not as alarming as my ‘long hair period’ … something he absolutely loathed, ha]
Comment by Rob September 17, 2014 @ 7:54 amThen you write something like this and I remember you’re a decent bloke. Nice Rob. Your old man would be proud.
Comment by DH September 17, 2014 @ 8:06 amYour Dad would have been proud of you Rob. You’ll be a great Dad yourself.
Comment by fredrik sarnblad September 17, 2014 @ 8:08 amYou are both very sweet men.
Comment by Katerina September 17, 2014 @ 8:45 amVery nice Rob.
Comment by Wayne Green September 17, 2014 @ 11:41 amHello Rob. Thinking of you x
Comment by Naoko September 17, 2014 @ 12:25 pmWhat Fred said
Comment by Northern September 17, 2014 @ 4:40 pmHope the happy memories win today….
Take extra care of Mrs C and yourself…
Comment by niko September 17, 2014 @ 7:36 pmBeautiful words Robert.
Comment by Sarah Watman September 17, 2014 @ 11:30 pm