tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-927510992143247693.post7299936481543423231..comments2023-10-31T12:12:35.050-05:00Comments on The Last Leaf On This Branch: Sentimental Sunday - Happy Dad's DayLaura Cosgrove Lorenzanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02794581991087280753noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-927510992143247693.post-20410262829004004012012-06-30T16:51:42.515-05:002012-06-30T16:51:42.515-05:00A touching, thought-provoking and heartfelt post, ...A touching, thought-provoking and heartfelt post, Laura - as the eldest child, I had a difficult relationship with my Dad who was basically very controlling and sensible, but fun and loveable too, occasionally. He was so protective of me that he still exerted strict control over me, in some areas, when I was married and in my 30's and I resented it hugely. He complained bitterly about my choice of cars, for example, for being less than practical. When he died 11 years ago I felt lost, but free to make my own decisions, which he would have disapproved of - heartily and vocally. Even now, if I have a difficult decision to make, I think "what would Dad do?" and I come up with the sensible answer, which I can choose to disregard, if I wish, without having to explain myself now. I guess I had a (sometimes)fun Dad and a Good Father, even if we didn't agree on much at the time. Thanks for clarifying my thoughts on the Dad/daughter relationship - I think mine was more Good Father than Good Dad, rather than the other way around. I think it has a lot to do with his own relationship with his Dad, which was not good, but he never really discussed it in detail. We have to get on with it, regardless, and we will :-) JoAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-927510992143247693.post-74882084330748909792012-06-17T20:38:37.952-05:002012-06-17T20:38:37.952-05:00What a moving and thoughtful blog! It seems that y...What a moving and thoughtful blog! It seems that you have been dealing all your life with the personality and character of your father, both his "fun" side and his shortcomings, and you have thoroughly figured out the multiple effects on your life. I suppose all fathers must have flaws, since they are human, but some flaws are more hurtful than others. You have expressed your feelings so vividly. I just turned to your blog after posting my blog about my father this evening, and I admire your courage in exploring the sadder side of your ambivalence. I was not able today to explore my sadder side about my father--I just brushed it in a few phrases. We can always forgive, and at the same time always regret. Thank you for sharing this post with us.Mariann Reganhttp://mariannregan.authorsxpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-927510992143247693.post-77019867554772339322012-06-17T18:40:24.898-05:002012-06-17T18:40:24.898-05:00It's difficult to look objectively at those pe...It's difficult to look objectively at those people from whom we expect--and need--so much. Just like you, Laura, we are all still learning. Even the Fathers. :)Jacqi Stevenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03471698670217119444noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-927510992143247693.post-32645614305771003062012-06-17T18:30:22.462-05:002012-06-17T18:30:22.462-05:00Laura, I'm a newbie at your site and I must sa...Laura, I'm a newbie at your site and I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed my visit here today! <br /><br />Your Sentimental Sunday post about your relationship with your dad was touching. <br /><br />You said, "Thank you, Dad, for teaching me how to love and forgive." <br />Those are some very important virtues lacking in our world today. And from what I've read from you and about you today, those virtues from him have molded you into the compassionate and caring person that you are. So your dad gets my YDG (You Did Good) Award for sure!<br /><br />My father was an awesome man, but I have to be honest with you and say that what I learned about . . . finishing projects before starting new ones, maintaining an asset once you have it, and managing finances so you pay for what you need before you buy what you want . . . did not come from my him despite the fact that he was a frugal person and an excellent rainy day saver. No, I learned those things by trial and error on my own; which has been a good thing for a variety of reasons. But what I've also observed about my father's generation is that they didn't have the foresight to directly teach those survival skills to their children as my generation feels more compelled to do today. <br /><br />Thank you for sharing your father and your feelings about him with us this day!Livhttp://www.claimingkin.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-927510992143247693.post-37996308529505567382012-06-17T16:02:13.213-05:002012-06-17T16:02:13.213-05:00As I read this, all I could think of is how gratef...As I read this, all I could think of is how grateful I am that my two grandsons hit the father jackpot with their Dad. It's a hard thing to do well, and he does it. Thinking of you on Father's Day.Kathy Reedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09417754385375586302noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-927510992143247693.post-88857038782528918162012-06-17T13:40:00.296-05:002012-06-17T13:40:00.296-05:00Great job, Laura. It's a tough subject and you...Great job, Laura. It's a tough subject and you handled it well. It can be painful when we figure out our parents aren't perfect. It's even more painful when we realize what behaviors we've learned from them. Then it's even more painful when one realizes her kids realize she's not perfect and that she's passed her imperfections on to her children. *big sigh* Tough gig.<br /><br />~CCarolinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02440331516671118735noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-927510992143247693.post-18998096089330655222012-06-17T12:25:17.067-05:002012-06-17T12:25:17.067-05:00Beautiful post Laura. In my opinion, you tackled a...Beautiful post Laura. In my opinion, you tackled a tough subject with both grace and compassion. A tough thing to do. Have a great day. Terri FraserTeresa Costa Fraserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02120174657962156721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-927510992143247693.post-22452912271827185542012-06-17T11:48:05.753-05:002012-06-17T11:48:05.753-05:00{{{hugs}}} for those who survived a flawed father ...{{{hugs}}} for those who survived a flawed father from one who also did. We survived, sad perhaps but stronger for it.Laura Matthewshttp://www.laura-matthews.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-927510992143247693.post-4538943481520135302012-06-17T11:47:01.185-05:002012-06-17T11:47:01.185-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15159152879092408102noreply@blogger.com