After a few days of lingering effects, he decided to go see his doctor. He called the office and was told they had an appointment opening in ten minutes. He took it knowing that my mom had their car and he would need to ride his bike a mile to the clinic.
Once he got there and saw the doctor, Dad was directed to go to the hospital A.S.A.P. to be further evaluated. He said he would ride his bike home, call my mom, and go to the hospital.
"You rode your bike here??!!" exclaimed the doctor.
Dad went to the hospital (mom picked him up at the office and they put the bike in the trunk of their car); had all the tests and scans; and it was determined that he did have a minor stroke.
I spoke to him after he got back home from all the testing and although he said he felt a bit tired, he was quite okay overall.
You see, my dad is always okay, and that is why I am embracing this day as my own personal Father's Day...A day for me to reflect on and have gratitude for all that my dad has given to me.
- Tenacious - My dad doesn't quit - his tenacity boarders on full-blown stubbornness at times yet he is quite the model of following-through to the end, in spite of adversities.
- Keeping What Works - My dad was quite a basketball player. At five feet nine, 160 pounds, he was never very big, but he played big with his two-handed set-shot. Nothing too fancy; just a little "shake-and-bake" and then swish. I can remember seeing him sink six in row. He kept what worked because there was no reason to change it.
- Commitment - My dad has been married to my mom for over 55 years, and although I don't quite understand their relationship some of the time, they have stuck together through "hell and high-water". Their commitment to their relationship, and to each other, speaks of a loyalty that is uncommon today.
- Adventure - We traveled and camped a lot in my growing up years. One summer we camped all the way across the U.S. and back again. I got a great appreciation of "roughing it" and the outdoors...I am sure that has a lot to do with my desire to travel to new places whenever I can.
- Spirituality - Although my dad and I have a very different spiritual path, I am grateful for having been brought up in an environment that had some spiritual emphasis in it. I don't know where I would be today without my spirituality.
- Creativity - Although he will deny it, my dad is very creative. Especially so in the way he uses his space and his resources.
- Problem Solving - Perhaps a bit over-zealous at times, my dad is a master at brain-storming and working out a problem. He is a great "fixer".
- Smart - My dad is real smart and rather humble about it. I'm sure that a significant part of the various intelligences that I have today are a direct result of my dad's role modeling.
- Love - My dad loves me. Although he was not as available as I would have liked when growing up, I know without a doubt that my dad loves me. He has always been there when I needed him. I know that I would not be where I am in my life today if it were not for his abundant love and support.
I share all this for one reason: All we have is today and we do not know what tomorrow will bring or take away.
If you have resentments towards a loved one, I invite you to work through them and let them go. If you haven't told a loved one lately how much you care about them, then pick up the phone and do that today.
I invite you - challenge you - to create an "attitude of gratitude" by looking at what you DO have as a result of your relationships. It is much easier, and much lighter, to be grateful than to be resentful.
Celebrate the gratitude and spread the good news.
After all, all you have is today...
Father's Day presents should be memorable, shouldn't they? Every time Dad thinks about the gift you've bought him, even years later, he should automatically smile and think of the magnificent way he's brought you up. And there is no more memorable present than slippers. Slippers say all you need to say. What other gift fits so snugly on the feet and come in pairs that are so perfectly symmetrical that they will bring gasps of awe? What other gift lets Dad pad about the house unheard yet with toasty feet? Yes, folks, there's no better way to tell dad that his days of going out and sampling the world are over than the gift of slippers.
What? You mean he's still got a bit of drive in him? Better read on ?
OK, perhaps we're being a little cheeky here. Whilst there are certainly dads who'd appreciate the unsurpassed pinnacle of indoor footwear perfection, there are many more who like to live life outside the tartan comfort zone. Such people like to be challenged, to try new things and perhaps to sample things that will never come their way again. Welcome to the world of the experience gift.
The idea of an experience in a box has been around for a few years now, but as time has passed, the range has grown to cover the wildest dreams of almost everyone, whatever their tastes. Father's Day is the perfect opportunity to treat your dad to a fabulous experience that will both tell him how much you care and give him something wonderful to look forward to.
Many of the experience gifts fit for a dad involve traveling at high speed or at great height. Motor racing, white-water rafting, helicopter buzzing and even aerobatic flying can all be turned into magnificent presents. And motoring doesn't have to be at breakneck speed. If he's ever expressed a wish to take the controls of a JCB or do a spot of near-vertical off-roading, there are experience gifts that fulfill his dreams.
At the other end of the spectrum are the experiences that might not get the adrenaline pumping but will thrill him none the less. They exist to satisfy the wine buff, the wildlife lover and the sightseer in him, and include visits to working vineyards, trips on steam train or serene river boat voyages and watching dolphins in their natural habitats.
And we shouldn't rule out the fact that some dads like to take it really, really easy (yes, it's hard to believe, isn't it?). Pampering and health sanctuary experiences could be the perfect way for overworked, overstressed dads to unwind with the blessing of the family. You could even get one for your mum, too, so they can go together (the wisdom of which you'll no doubt be the best judge).
This is really just a small sample of the experience gifts that would make unbelievable Father's Day Gifts. It doesn't matter what things he's into ? there will almost certainly be a gift with his name on it.
Quite often these gifts will cost more than you usually spend on Father's Day, but what better time to club together with your siblings or even your mum to purchase an amazing experience for him?
For further information, please visit http://www.gettingpersonal.co.uk
Both Ken Donaldson & John Smith are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Ken Donaldson has sinced written about articles on various topics from self improvement and motivation, Stress Effects and self improvement and motivation. Ken Donaldson has been offering counseling, coaching, and educational programs since 1987. His programs are focused on empowering people to have more successful lives, businesses and relationships. Claim your FREE Relationship Success Special Report at. Ken Donaldson's top article generates over 450000 views. to your Favourites.
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