Debbie, Mike & Wolfie built an inukshuk in a beautiful glade in the forest to honour Father's Day.
ᐃᓄᒃᓱᒃ (inukshuk):  "A structure of rough stones stacked in the form of a human figure, traditionally used by Inuit people as a landmark or a commemorative sign.  The figure of the inukshuk is omnipresent in Inuit tradition"

I'm sending a dove to Heaven with a parcel on it's wings.
Be careful when you open it~it's full of precious things.
Inside, a million kisses wrapped in a million hugs,
to say how much I miss you & to send you all my love.

I hold you close within my heart and there you will remain,
to walk with me throughout my life
~Until we meet again~  

Donna
xoxoxoxoxoxo

Since Dad's birthday (July 1st) corresponded with Canada Day we always had lots to celebrate. We have many fond memories of warm summers days by the lake and star filled night skys while sitting near the campfire. 

Crown Royal was a popular gift. Actually, it was a bit of a family tradition. I can remember my Dad giving a bottle to my Grandfather on his 85th birthday.

Maybe each life is just an echo
Of the ones that came before,
Bouncing off the things they learnt
To land on something more.
Maybe it's never ending
and our sound just travels on,
With distance it becomes quiet
But is never truly gone.
Maybe we'll find peace in our own silence
When it comes our time to be still,
Knowing that even though our voice can't last forever
The truth it carries will.

Erin Hanson

When our Grandpa passed away (Apr1st/83), Dad shared his eulogy with all of us kids, suggesting we might adopt it's message as our own.  I have kept my copy to this day & reading it now, it seems to have passed seamlessly to Dad & I promise Dad, I am striving . . . :

My Creed: 

"To live as gently as I can;
To be no matter where, a man;
To take what comes of good or ill;
And cling to faith and honour still;
To do my best and let that stand,
The record of my brain and hand;
And then, should failure come to me
Still work and hope for victory.

To have no secret place wherein,
I stoop unseen to shame or sin;
To be the same when I'm alone
As when my every deed is known;
To live undaunted, unafraid
Of any step that I have made;
To be without pretense or sham
Exactly what men think I am.

To leave some simple mark behind
To keep my having lived in mind;
If emnity to aught I show,
To be an honest, generous foe;
To play my little part, not whine
That greater honours are not mine.

This, I believe, is all I need for my philosophy and creed."

E.A. Guest
 

You can shed tears that he is gone, or you can smile because he has lived.

You can close your eyes and pray that he'll come back, or you can open your eyes and see all that he has left.

Your heart can be empty because you can't see him, or you can be full of the love you shared.

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live in yesterday, or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.

You can remember him and only that he's gone, or you can cherish his memory and let it live on.

You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back, or you can do what he'd want: smile; open your eyes; love and go on.

Author Unknown
 

Dad was an animal lover, whether wild, tame or somewhere in between . . . & they all loved him a lot!  He was adored by our collective menagerie.  

Whether attending births, playdates at ChuckyCheese, graduations or weddings, (or even the Grade 1/2 trip to the Sugarbush), Papa always celebrated our shenanigans, dreams and adventures with us, wholeheartedly!