Not all, but a great number of countries celebrate Father’s Day on the third Sunday in June.  In honor of Father’s Day, we asked our World Moms…

“What is your favorite memory of your father?”

Read on to see what they said…

Amy Hillis of Ohio, USA writes: 
“My dad used to restore old gumball machines and he would let me sit at his work bench and help. He would give me little jobs and let me use his tools and paints to make my own ‘creations’.

I realize now that he helped encourage my creativity and provided an escape for me when things with my mother were rough.

My dad is still around, but lives 400 miles away- I still miss doing ‘projects’ with him.”

Salma of Ontario, Canada writes: 
“My father died when I was younger, but I do remember him watching wrestling with me and my sister. We loved Hulk Hogan, Macho Man & Miss Elizabeth. He would cheer for the bad guys (Andre the Giant) just to make us mad.

Ha, thanks for this question…I am smiling right now remembering those days.”

Dr. Lanham of Arizona, USA writes:
“I didn’t have a father in my life but my grandfather was the awesome male figure I celebrated for Father’s Day (when he was alive). My favorite memory of my pawpaw is us going to look at new cars, going to the Indy 500 and mostly sitting on the front porch of my grandparents house in Indiana when it rained. We’d sit on the swing & watch the rain flood the huge lake across the street. I loved it and it meant a lot to me!

I miss, honor, and thank him for being an example of what to raise my boys to become, Godly men!”

Jill of Illinois, USA writes: 
“My first sight of the ocean (we’re from the heartland of the USA) was on a family vacation to South Carolina’s Myrtle Beach on the southeastern coast of the country. It was a 1,000 mile drive that I journaled in a red notebook. I still have the entry sharing the moment when our car pulled onto the coast road and the ocean became visible. “Dad saw it first!”

It was so exciting to share this moment, even from the backseat, with my Dad.”

Maggie Ellison of South Carolina, USA writes:
“When I would ask my dad one of my history questions from homework, he would ramble on and on. I would write everything he said on my paper and my teacher would mark it wrong. Guess she was looking for something specifically in the book!

He would take us tubing and knee boarding in his boat, once he leaned over too far and whooosh! He fell in head first!

He sends me roses every Valentine’s Day.

He has a list of sayings, like “Don’t be a victim” and quizzes you on safety choices before you leave the house. He was the police chief, what can I say?”

Kyla P’an of Massachusetts, USA writes:
“My parents got divorced when I was seven but we continued to live with my dad, so most of my best memories involve him. He was always a fun loving, adventuresome, Renaissance Man. Here are a few Dad memories I look back on with great fondness:

  • Larger-than-life, run-through pushes on the big plank swing that hung between two great oaks on our property; my brother on one side of the swing, I on the other.
  • After dinner motorcycle rides through the woods and on back roads; my brother would sit behind my dad and I in front. I don’t think we wore helmets and once, when I was maybe 4, a cop pulled us over and issued the ticket to me (since I was in the driver position)…though I’m pretty sure my dad managed to talk his way out of it in the end.
  • And finally, if you were lucky enough to run down the driveway and catch my dad coming home from work, he’d let you sit on his lap and steer the car up to the garage. I think he did this regularly until the time I steered into one of the large pine trees flanking our drive. I was definitely under 5.

I thank my dad for my deep love of “experiencing” the world, bold and unabashedly!”

Tara B. of Washington State, USA writes:
“One of my best memories of my father is from playground outings together, just me and him. I have 4 older siblings, so having 1-on-1 time with my father was always so special and not easy to accomplish. I can remember climbing on the monkey bars and him pushing me on the swings. And I don’t know if this is accurate, but I feel like he never said no if I asked him to take me to a park. I just remember that he always made time. Happy Father’s Day to him and all the wonderful dads out there!”

Courtney Cappallo of Massachusetts, USA writes:
“A few years ago my father and brother came to visit my husband and me on Cape Cod, this was before I became a mother. We took my dad and brother to Martha’s Vineyard for the day. We rented motor scooters while we were on the island. My dad was horrendous at driving the motor scooter but was such a good sport about it. I laughed so hard I was crying. I was so proud of him for trying the motor scooter and for not being grumpy about how bad he was at navigating it. It made for a perfectly fun day!”

ThirdEyeMom of Minnesota, USA writes:
“I must say that I am very fortunate when it comes to my parents. Both my mother and father have been huge role models in my life and have instilled a passion for life and seeing the world that have made me who I am today. There are so many memories of great moments with my Dad that it is impossible to pick just one thing that stands out. He inspired me, motivated me, pushed me, and most of all, loved me for who and what I am and stand for. I am fortunate today to travel once a year with my dad to a new place in the world! Over the last ten years, we have made it to Peru, Ireland, Iceland, South Africa, Australia, Nepal, India, and twice to Argentina. He has fueled my wanderlust and installed a passion in seeing the world and making a difference. I look forward to our next trip together, Dad! 🙂 ”

Dee Harlow of Mexico writes:
“My step-father has been my father figure since I was four years old. He taught me a lot of things that I carry with me to this day.

A favorite memory was when I was in high school, going to my very first part-time job interview at a local insurance office. My father was driving me and as we drove up to the building of my interview, I rolled down the window and stuck my hand out. He asked, “What are you doing?” to which I replied, “I’m drying my sweaty hand since you told me never have a sweaty handshake.” I’ll never forget the beaming look of pride on his face, knowing that he taught me well and reassured that I was well on my way into this adult world.”

MamaRobinJ of British Columbia, Canada writes:
“My favourite memory of my dad – and he’ll kill me for saying this – is from my wedding. We were just getting ready to walk down the aisle, and I took a peek at him next to me, holding my arm. He had tears in his eyes and that was that. I started to cry and couldn’t stop, and when I closer to the front I could hear the woman who was marrying us say, “Oh dear. Does anyone have a tissue?” You can hear it on our wedding video, though you can’t see my blotchy, crying face (thank goodness).

Growing up I never saw my dad cry, except at his mom’s funeral, but now at times when I see that shine of a tear it makes me love him all the more because I can see what he’s passionate about.”

Jennifer Burden of New Jersey, USA writes:
“My dad is a riot. I could probably create a blog on him alone. But, on a serious note, one of my favorite memories was how he visited his late friend’s elderly mother for years, every Sunday, until she later passed on, too.

My dad got up early, went out to get bagels and rolls and delivered hers first because she was up early, and we’d be all sleeping. He would stay and have his breakfast with her. If I happened to be awake before he left, I would get to go, too. And, my parents always invited her and her grandson, and later great-grandsons, to our house for every holiday. They were like family.

Sometimes actions speak louder than words, and that is something that will always stick with me about my dad, how he goes out of his way for people. :)”

What about you…what is your favorite memory of your father?  

And do you have a question you would like to pose to our WMB writers?  If so, email us at wmbsidebareditor@gmail.com to see what they have to say.

Don’t forget to come back this Sunday to peek at next week’s schedule!   

– World Moms Blog

Photo credit to Yvette T. http://www.flickr.com/photos/12327292@N00/3551019373/.  This photo has a creative commons attribute license.

World Moms Blog

World Moms Blog is an award winning website which writes from over 30 countries on the topics of motherhood, culture, human rights and social good. Over 70 international contributors share their stories from around the globe, bonded by the common thread of motherhood and wanting a better world for their children. World Moms Blog was listed by Forbes Woman as one of the "Best 100 Websites for Women 2012 & 2013" and also called a "must read" by the NY Times Motherlode in 2013. Our Senior Editor in India, Purnima Ramakrishnan, was awarded the BlogHer International Activist Award in 2013.

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