His Father was a Penicuik man,veteran of WW1 & the Boer War.He was "an elderly Father" even by todays standards.He had a loving relationship with him it was his Father who walked the floor with him when teething & when he had Diptheria.His Father taught to love literature,dogs & football.
My Father told me that if I sat too close to the fire the marrow in my spine would melt & I would be left a greasy spot on the carpet-I
when I think how long I belived this.I am a lifelong nailbiter.My Father would point out a near neighbour who was minus an arm "He used to bite his nails,caught an infection,first they amputated his fingers.The gangerene spread then his hand then his arm.Doesnt bite his nails anymore."Sorry Dad I am still nibbling away but next year is my goalDad was an intelligent,self-educated man.He & my Mum loved music especially Opera & had an impressive collection of 78s.I know who he & my Uncle(Dads best friend &Mums older brother) chatted up to get a discount on the 78s not because he told me but my Mum did.
He told me about his National Service & on a Saturday evening would have us drill up & down the living-room usually after a few "wee haufs" at the Singer Club or the Park Bar.It was Granny who told us of his time in Maryhill Barracks peeling tatties because he hated it so much & was often AWOL.
When I think of it my Father didnt really tell me many things.He showed us things & shared things.Like his beloved Rangers Football Club & how to play Qouits & make pickled onions.
I remember my elder sister & I were left in his tender?? care when my Mum was in Hospital.My younger sister & brother were in the hands of his Mum but we were deemed old enough not to need too much attention.I would be 7 & Margeret 10."Daddy can cook, & its lovely" me in hushed tones.
For not many 1960s Dads in my experience cooked or participated in housework. We were shocked that he could do it & do it well.I wonder what he would say to his youngest son who happily changes nappies,takes/picks up from school.
Now Dad would push the pram in public & he would kiss & hug us & in public too.
The one thing I dont remember him ever telling us was how hellish it must have been for him to work at a job he hated,longing for an education & yet being jealous of his own children opportunities.He never talked of his Mother neglect of him or her Familys disdain of her because of her "two Disgraces"
He never in my memory ever told us that he loved us that was & is my Mums job.We always had a kiss & cuddle goodnight on leaving the house & coming home.We had lovely walks &parties with everybody doing their "turn"Complete silence & a shoe or slipper thrown at you if you made a noise during TV hours.Stirring his tea,changing the TV channell.
His personality lighting up a room.The slipper on our bottom when we returned after being missing all day with our baby sister.His dismay at my shorn locks after I demanded a haircut aged five.
He never even said goodbye just went for an afternoon snooze & never woke up.
That day I can remember from minute to minute running in disbelief for help,the neighbours,the friends,the ambulance,the police & the Family.
My poor Mum clutching the shirt he had been wearing & my younger siblings crying their eyes out & my elder sister hysteria when she returned from work.
He always told us" dont shout help if anything happens when your out always shout fire because people will always look in case it their house thats on fire".
Im older than my Dad now he never lived to see his children marry or his Grandchildren & now the Great-Grandchildren but they know of him.My Brother was only four when he died & he is the one who finds it hardest to talk about his Daddy.I remember we were passing the Cemetery where Dad is buried on the train bound for Helensburgh .
"Oh look Mummy its ok Daddy is alive again hes there in his garden"
The gardeners were tidying his grave.He used to ask how much a new Daddy cost & whether there was enough money left to buy one.
Ive asked him how can he be such a good Dad when he never had a role model "I had a good Mum".
So Daddy let me say here & now "I love you & I know you love me"
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