Mr Wilson, Big Al, Al Aquo are just some of the nicknames dad has acquired over the years. My dad is the most amazing human being on this planet, he means the absolute world to me. He is the strongest, most kind hearted bloke I have ever met – and dad, It’s ok, I know I’m your favourite. See that’s a joke between my two sisters, my brother and I. They always call themselves mum’s favourite – It’s ok, cause I’m dad’s.
Here’s a fun fact – not many people know this but when he is really angry his eyes turn yellow. Like a freaky daemonic yellow you see on Supernatural.
Until my accident I was dad’s shadow – “I’m going to do farm work.” “Riteo, I’m coming.” I’d yell at mum through the house “mum, I’m going farming with dad.” Over the years we have become professional singers, but… Only in the harvester. Every Morning by Sugar Ray, Copperhead Road by Steve Earle, any song by The Eagles and pretty much every Dixie Chicks and Pink songs, were just some of tunes we would bust out to. After Zio Jon passed, Drops of Jupiter by Train and Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd became some of the most popular – As they were Zio’s favourites.
People could say that the perfect father does not exist, I actually do not know if that is true, but what I surely know is that my father is perfect for me. Dad has always been able to keep me level headed – he can always, always calm ‘the angry bird’ – as I put it. BECAUSE he says it how it is!
I consider myself so blessed because I can’t think of a way I could improve upon my relationship with my father, except for perhaps by spending more time with each other. I have always been close with my Dad, and as each year I grow I find that I am becoming more and more like him, which makes me happy. Dad and I are still close, but life gets busy… especially when the sugar cane crushing season starts. It’s now too hard for me to take both the boys out to where dad is cutting and go for a ride in the harvester and after he finishes he’s too tired to come in and visit. I get it… I didn’t say I like it… But I get it.
BUT – The first thing I do when mum’s free is drop my Harry off and take Jack for a ride with dad. He loves anything farming, especially with Nonno.
My father has taught me to have strong moral values, personal responsibility, honesty and trust. He has shown me how to be compassionate and to be a respectful person in life. He taught me the value of education, and how to make good decisions in life. I’m not saying I make good decisions in life but dad did teach me about them haha. While he showed me how to have fun and to laugh, he also has taught me the meaning of hard work, and the meaning of love. He did this by being a nurturing father, coach, along with being a loving parent.
My father has always been there to share with me moments of joy and times of hardship. He has generously given me his personal time, so that I may grow up to face this challenging world full of courage, hope and faith. My father is not perfect, and like every human, he has his faults, struggles and weaknesses. He taught me, however, how to face these problems and challenges with a positive attitude and a strong will. I remember when I swamped his six wheeler in Christie’s Creek – All dad cared about is if everyone was OK, he stripped the six wheeler to let it dry out, he measured a meter of water that went through the vehicle but thanked me for killing the ants nest that had been in there for ages. This example and all the other memories I have shared with my father will be everlasting and have a positive influence on my life.
Our family is unified, we work together nurturing our love to keep it positive and in full force against any opposing force that would tear down our family unit. We are a very close family woven together by difficult times, learning from our experiences and pursuing peace and harmony.
I believe I need to keep forgiveness strong, peace active, love appropriated and strength exercised. I pray to god to give my father the will to pull through any rough times he faces and be bless him for his love, strength and wisdom. My dad has to be the most humble man in the world – I have so much respect for him.
Congratulations again dad on operating a harvester for 40 years. We are all super proud of you and wish you all the best for the future.
Love,
Number 1 Xx
Aquo Xx