REMEMBERING MY FATHER & THE TOY SOLDIER ON FATHER'S DAY

MY FATHER & THE TOY SOLDIER.

Long after my father passed away, I often reminisced about the good days when I was young. Later, through my own uncertainties and obstacles, I found strength in the thought of the wooden toy soldier my father had once given me, motionless yet hardy, strong, protective and inspiring. Every time when I had played with the toy soldier, I did not fail to keep it back on the shelf.

Then, as I grew up, I realized that I had looked at that toy soldier more than I had played with it, perhaps in an unconscious effort to preserve it, and in turn replace the absence of my father. There were many times when I would take it down from the shelf, dust it and put it back in its apparent rightful place as always. This toy was my favourite and in retrospect appeared that I had that toy in my possession for the longest time. 

But unlike that idle wooden toy soldier on the shelf, my own dad was a real life soldier. He worked hard in his life, cared, loved and did the best that he possibly could for his family. He stood tall against all odds and provided me and all those around him with good advice, hope and inspiration, successfully setting an example to march on through my own.

I still miss my father. He was a good man. Many among us surely must miss their fathers. Happy Father's Day.

To read the full story, please click on the following link:

http://tonferns.blogspot.ca/2009/06/fathers-day.html