When I remember my early childhood, teens and adulthood I would think with regret that I didn’t really know my father. We never really talked to each other about ourselves and our relationship was closed to each other. I would always say, to myself and others, that I wanted to get to know dad . . . . .  before it was too late!

 But I never did. My dad is a quiet man and reserved when it comes to opening up to his feelings and emotions, however, I got to spend time with him while he was in hospital recently.  Basically he was a “captive audience” and I shared with him how he was an inspiration for me in my life and asked him to tell me about his life. From this conversation and subsequent conversations I learned a great deal that I never knew about my father and we both shared about our lives; our early hopes and dreams and what we wanted from life now.  These conversations were a catalyst to our relationship opening up and taking it to a higher level where we now both have the freedom to say what we want to each other. I also got something much more and totally unexpected. My dad told me he loved Me.  And he continues to tell me he loves me each time we part or say good-bye. 

Debra Forbes (Buderim, Queensland)