Memorable Conversations With Dad
When I was little, my father and I would talk about his experiences, adventures and life in the South Pacific during World War II. On a map, we would trace his travels from one tiny island to another. We talked about the beauty, adventure and sadness of the war.
CHERYL CARPET, Valencia
*
My father’s daily phone calls to me--usually timed so that I receive one while the girls are arguing and the baby crying--are incredibly special. He reminds me, without actually saying so, that I’m also someone’s child and loved very much. I love him for that.
CHRISTIE STEINER, Ventura
*
Some kids might not think driving with their dad is special, but I do! When we are driving together, he gives me great advice, and we have a lot of laughs. We talk about things such as a great future family vacation or even a great party I’m waiting to go to.
So if you’re sitting in the kitchen, dad, legs on the table and holding this paper, I would like to say that I admire and love you and enjoy the times we spend together.
HALEY M. SIMONS,
age 12 (almost), Northridge
*
The things I talk about only with my dad are Pokemon things. The cards or pictures are what we like to talk about. My dad doesn’t understand unless I speak in Korean. My dad sometimes buys me everything I want, even Pokemon cards.
ALBERT LEE, age 8, Los Angeles
*
When my father lost part of his vision to a stroke, he always said, “I’m lucky, I could have been completely blinded.” His glass was always half full. In March, he went to a place where optimists like him are always welcomed. This will be my first Father’s Day without him.
NAME WITHHELD
*
“Tell them that you’re not a wetback; your father carried you and you stayed dry.” Dad provided me with a self-defense, a cultural strength and an intelligible native-born Mexican American ethic as responses to schoolyard taunts in the San Gabriel Valley of the 1950s.
JOHN LOPEZ Jr., South Pasadena
*
I like to ask my dad questions about things I’m wondering about. I like to ask him because he knows about a lot of different things like science and space. One time I asked him what the biggest planet was and he told me the answer!
LEXI SPAULDING, age 7
Santa Barbara
*
I like to talk to my dad when I’m hurt or when I don’t feel well. He seems to know a lot about helping me when I’m hurt. I don’t feel as scared after he helps me. I think it is very nice of him to take care of me.
ELIOT SPAULDING, age 9
Santa Barbara
*
Our best conversations always ended with laughter. My dad’s laugh can fill a room. It used to embarrass me, but I have grown to treasure it. No matter how serious the conversation, I always know everything will be all right as long as it ends with my dad laughing.
RACHEL RETANAN, Claremont
*
When he was dying, I would visit the hospital during televised Dodger games. We could cheer and talk statistics. He’d been an absentee father. We had nothing else in common. I was happy to be in the same room. He had a big funeral. I wish I had known him.
ESTELLALEIGH FRANANBERG
Los Angeles
*
To my rigorously pro-labor stepfather, conversation with me ranked about 93rd on his list of things to do today--unless the subject was trade unionism, in which case he’d acknowledge my youthful radicalism by asking me how many union men my friend Stalin had murdered today. Consequently, my stepdad and I never talked much.
DOROTHY REINHART, Oxnard
*
I love tennis. My dad is not a tennis player but is a special kind of coach. On our way to tournaments, he tells me to move my feet, take the ball early and just try your best. Win or lose, he waits by the court to hug me.
MOLLY, age 10, Coto de Caza
*
Compiled by staff writer Sam Bruchey.