Fathers Day Reflections - a more personal, less political story

Dad's field, Hampstead Heath with my older sister and my dad sometime in the early 1970's
Families are wonderful and so varied and complex.  We all come from diverse experiences and backgrounds that have shaped our views of the world.  I grew up in London, my parents split when I was very young.  Mum remarried and this new relationship brought my sister and I a step sister the same age as me and later, two younger 'half' brothers.  Dad also went on to a new relationship and a 'half' sister entered our family from this side too.  I never usually refer to any of my siblings as half or step, we are all just part of a large, blended family.  Those terms are only ever used to explain the relationships to others.

I moved to Dunedin as a 13 year old with Mum and my step dad Paul, along with my older sister and two younger brothers.  A huge split in relationships for Dad and my other two sisters and of course for those of us who moved.

Dad passed away just before Christmas 2014, so Fathers Day is bound to find me in a reflective mood.  My older sister and I managed to make it back to the UK to support our younger sister in Dad's last moments.  I am grateful that we were able to do this.  I am also grateful that I had the opportunity to reconnect with my dad as an adult, that he was able to have a relationship with his grandchildren and that I have been able to get to know my youngest sibling.  I know Dad enjoyed his trips to New Zealand and that he particularly enjoyed Central Otago - he was completely blown away by the night sky in Cromwell, we spent lots of summer evenings sitting, talking under the stars.  It is strange thinking that he is gone, he lived such a long way from us and was a bit useless about keeping in touch - but his absence has left a deep hole.
Dad with my boys at St Clair during his last visit to NZ
I am lucky however that I still have a really important father figure in my life - the role my step dad has played and continues to play for my family is significant.  There is no question that my children are his grandchildren.  He engages with them on all sorts of levels, outings and family occasions, taking them to sports events and challenging their views by debating and arguing with them.  Lummox no.2 likes a good debate, he is highly opinionated.

Grandpa Paul with my boys and their little cousin having an ice cream break at Melbourne Zoo.
I can't forget my hubby's father in these photos of Grandfathers.  He is a father to seven children, my bloke is the youngest.  We recently celebrated his 90th birthday.  A great milestone and an awesome occasion for the whole enormous, crazy family.
Grandad Harrison's 90th birthday.
My own kids have a great dad.  They've grown up in a very stable environment, with a dad who is actively involved in their lives and supports them in all that they do.  I think they are very privileged to have spent their childhoods in Cromwell.  We have access to so much that is good for families - the lake, mountains, good schools, bike and walking tracks, greenways and heaps of sporting opportunities - let's work toward keeping these opportunities for all our young families.
My boys have a great dad.

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