I Am My Father’s Daughter
Jun 02
My father as a young man.
I am so much my father’s daughter that people used to look quizzically at my freckle-faced, blonde mom, and then back at me with my brown hair and complete lack of freckles and say, “Well, I guess she must look like her dad, hunh?”
I am my father’s daughter.
I am so much my father’s daughter that when I was a child and the men would gather in one room and the women in another, I was the little girl hanging out with the men because I wanted to be with my dad.
I am my father’s daughter.
I am an introvert like my father, while my mom is an extrovert. My father and I think so much alike that my mother sometimes felt excluded from our conversations. My poor mother had a hard time figuring out how to relate to this little thing who was so feminine yet so different from her.
I am my father’s daughter.
When I was growing up, he was my rock. Mom went back to school and then became a school teacher. Her schedule didn’t allow for much flexibility. If I got sick at school, my dad is the one who was able to leave work and take care of me.
My father now
My father is 81 now and he retired many years ago. After retirement, Dad took up a new hobby–knifemaking–and is known for making knives that are both beautiful and useful. He has a zest for life than many younger people do not have.
I will always be my father’s daughter.
I just hope I will be as successful forming a new life for myself post-divorce as my dad was creating a new life after his retirement. It’s a lot to live up to, but he has given me the confidence that I can do it. I wish all women could have a father like mine. When I was growing up my dad wasn’t perfect, but he was better than most and I am very thankful.
What a lovely tribute to your father – how nice to have such a kindred spirit – for you and your father. Isn’t it nice when father’s instill confidence in their daughters?
I had no idea how amazing my childhood was until I was an adult.
I get the feeling you will be your father’s daughter in learning to make a new life, finding new passions and purpose, and that he will always be proud of you. (
I would like to see his knives. Is that weird? Does he have photos of them online?)
I’ve been working on his website. I’ll send you a link once I get it in decent shape.
Sounds like your Dad is still being a role model. That’s a real gift.
My dad is pretty cool.
My daughter and my husband are close like you and your father are. I believe it gave her an enormous amount of confidence to know that her father adores her as much as he does. You are so fortunate to have that bond!
It’s very special to have that kind of bond with your father. Your daughter is very blessed.
Very nice to read, Elizabeth. I bet your father is really proud too.
Thanks, Perry!
What a wonderful father. It’s cool that he could do things like pick you up from school. My dad commuted 90+ minutes from Orange County into Los Angeles, so that was prohibitive. I find it interesting that your father makes knives. I never thought of that as a hobby, but someone has to make them. Cool.
Karen, a lot of people are interested in owning handmade knives. My dad forges the steel, creates the handles, and makes leather sheaths for his knives. He has also spent a lot of time studying metallurgy. He really enjoys the process.
That’s so lovely, Elizabeth. You and your dad have a bond that’s rare and beautiful. May you both enjoy it in good health!
Thanks, Karen. I’m very fortunate that my dad is still in good health.
Elizabeth, you make such a good point about how you are finding inspiration from your dad’s new career in the stage of life in which you find yourself. You have been so lucky to have such a close relationship and identity with your father – thanks for sharing your story and his with us.
Your lovely post reminded me of how much I loved “hanging out” with my dad, whether it was by ourselves or in a group. He was always the funny one that everyone gravitated to, and still is.
So interesting how the genes mix up. I am like you in that I always hung out with the men. And from the sounds of it, you have the know-how (from your Dad) to reinvent yourself in this new chapter in your life.
Such a wonderful tribute. I still haven’t written my post yet, but I’m my father’s daughter, too!
Looks like you are following in your dad’s lead and following in his footsteps reinventing your life.
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