A fatherless Father’s Day.

In the run up to Father’s Day everywhere I look is a constant reminder that I am fatherless, this Father’s Day.

Dad passed away in October last year at the tender age of 59.

One year before his retirement.

The retirement he’d worked all his life for.

And what strikes me the hardest is the life he’ll never get to live.

Not escaping to their retirement-ready French mobile which he’d waited a lifetime for.

Not getting chance to enjoy his gorgeous young grandson which he’d waited a lifetime for.

Not getting chance to experience the family time his retirement would allow which he’d waited a lifetime for.

And what did it show me?

It showed me that retirement isn’t guaranteed. Take the time now. Experience every moment. Do it at a time that you are guaranteed – today.

To those who have lost their dads, I see you.

To those who still have their dads, love them harder.

And to all the amazing dads, step dads and Papas out there – go and experience.

Experience the guarantee of today.

And to my wonderful Dad. I love you and I miss you.

💙

“Grief, I’ve learned, is really just love. It’s all the love you want to give, but cannot. All that unspent love gathers up in the corners of your eyes, the lump in your throat, and in that hollow part of your chest. Grief is just love with no place to go“ – Jamie Anderson