I’m recycling this post from June 21, 2009.
Father’s Day is a bit different for our family. It is a day for me to remember my dad who passed away 1986 when I was 27. There is no celebration, just remembering.
Being the baby of the family, I had a special bond with my dad, I adored him. He was a quiet man, with a strong faith, loved his family and had solid work ethic. I would like to think I got that work ethic from him.
I also learned it’s better to back into a parking spot than to back out, and it’s better to be 1/2 hour early to something than one minute late!
We spent a lot of time together, even as a teen, I loved being with my dad, even as a teen, I loved our weekend camping trips, summer vacations and even just running an errand to the hardware store!
We shared a love of photography too. We have hundreds, maybe thousands of pictures and slides from camping trips and vacations. I would love to know what he would think of the digital world!
One silly memory of my dad was while we were on a 3 week vacation in Nova Scotia, my all time favorite vacation of all times with my parents, I think I was 12. We were at a campground that had a lake, and my dad decided to go off and relax on the beach for a bit. My mom and I were doing something else, so he went alone. As you can see from the pictures above, my dad was bald. He wrapped a towel around his head to keep it from burning while he “rested”. Well, he fell asleep, only to awaken with a sunburn. His head was white and he had fallen asleep with his right hand on his chest, so he had a big white mark that looked like he had his right hand over his heart!
I am sad that Tara never got a chance to know my dad. I tell her stories and I call him my dad, not her Pop-pop….
For Tara Father’s Day has NO meaning, as her father left us when she was an infant, and has had no postive impact on her life in anyway. For this I am sad as well! A little girl should have her daddy, but he choose otherwise, and I have done my best as a single mom. 
(EDITED to add – Tara’s father passed away in December 2009)
I'm sorry that Father's Day has some sad conotations for you. What a great man your father sounded like.(((Hugs)))
We should send a "blogger alert" out to pass that picture on until we find the bum!!!
Awwww! Your dad sounds like he was truly a wonderful man. I love the story about his sunburn – that had to have been hilarious!
I hope Tara understands how much you love her – you've been doing double duty all these years, and she is blessed to have you in her life.I love Hit 40's suggestion! 
I'll be thinking about you on this bittersweet day…((HUGZ!!))
Your dad looks like such a wonderful person. I love the stories about him! I love that you had a special bond. So wonderful! You are such a great mom for your daughter : ). She has a FABULOUS parent : ). I hope you get to spend time with your Mom today.
Hi Martha – I share you sentiments. My father left us due to cancer in 2001. He was awesome! My husband's father abandoned him and his mother when he was 1. I will say that he himself has become the perfect father to our little boy, despite it all
The sunburn story is priceless! Maybe someday the absent dad will realize how much he has missed and show his sorry face. Hoping there will be healing and closure for Tara some day. Sounds like she has the best mom in the world though!
What great memories of your dad you have. Yes, it's too bad Tara didn't get to know him. That's the way it is for my son too.And, if I see that other guy around… I'll kick his butt. JK, I'll tell him to call!
Tara's dad sounds like mine. I saw him a few times when I was very young then once when I was ten and once when I was thirty. I have no interest in seeing him again. My grandfather died when I was a baby so I can relate.I think if he made the choice not to take the responsibility and more importantly if doesn't WANT to see his own child, Tara is probably better off without him. You seem to be doing a great job.It's just really important that Tara knows that it's not her fault in any way that he's not around.Your dad seems like a really great man.