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The Pastoral Lens
Memories of my Dad
Tuesday, June 17, 2003
With another Fathers' Day in the books, I am reminded of the wonderful relationship I had with my father, Mr. George Horrobin. He died very sudenly back on April 27, 1988. Since then, life has never been the same. I have only the cherished memories of my time with him while he was still alive to pas on to my children and savour for myself.My dad worked 48 years at Allied Chemical in Amherstburg, ON (now called General Chemical). He started out in the limestone quarry and worked his way up to an office job as a purchasing agent. He left with his carpool early each weekday morning and arrived home just in time for supper. My brothers and I would wait in the back bedroom, looking out the window for his arrival as if it was the presidential limo. We would then hurry to the back landing and greet him as he came in the door. There were many Sunday afternoons that my brothers and I went with dad to his office while my mother was at work as a waitress. He would "catch up" on a few things while we explored the office, leaving notes and homemade artwork on other desks. The afternoon usually included a trip to the Brunner Mond Club, where his Big Band Era ensemble practised for their next gig. He played the drums. Again, the "Club" served as an excellent place for exploring and having fun.
There are 2 jobs that I really enjoy, thanks to my dad. One of these is washing the dishes. My wife and I have owned a dish washer for 10 years now, but it hardly ever gets used. There is something so relaxing about standing over a sink full of dirty dishes and listening to the Cleveland Indians' baseball game (my dad was a Detroit Tigers' fan , so they still hold some sentimental value for me!). Don't laugh at me! My dad treated washing dishes as if it was some sort of reward for finishing a day's work. My 3 daughters are doing dishes now, but secretly I envy them. No, my address is not Mars. If you had grown up with my dad you would understand. We busted a lot of dishes drying for him, and later washing and drying, but it was all worth it.
The other job I absolutely love to do is go grocery shopping. I would enjoy this activity under any circumstance, but taking the kids along adds the real icing on the cake. Back in Windsor during my growing up years, it just wasn't a Saturday morning without a trip with dad to the old N&D Supermarket in South Windsor. We raced up aisles and looked for the "sucker" man, a kindly gentleman who always had a pocket full of suckers to give to children. Most trips included a taste of the free samples that were handed out in the meat section. The excursion always ended with instructions from dad to find some good boxes to take home for leaves or other yard waste. Gee, the more things change, the more they stay the same! I have a hoot taking my 3 daughters and 2 sons along to get the groceries. People look at me as if I'm from outer space and even offer pity, but I'll have none of it. I'm in that situation by choice. Some think my wife has had a bad day and I've been sent off to "babysit" for a while. Allow me to let you in on something, here. Fathers don't babysit their own children!! I tell people that I got fired from my only babysitting job back when I was 14 because I ATE TOO MUCH! I may not score well looking after someone else's kids, but I just love being a dad.
Perhaps as you are reading this article today you are one of many in this world who did not have a positive experience with your dad. Perhaps you never even knew him. I want you to know something. There is a Father in heaven who loves you with an everlasting love. There is nothing you can do, or have ever done, to disqualify you from receiving His unconditional love. Why not plan to attend church this Sunday and ask the pastor or priest about how to enjoy your Father's love? Don't delay, He is waiting for you.
