“My Father”
Some fond remembrances based on words that spell out the word FATHER.
F – FIX IT
My dad could turn his hand to any practical job and he taught me much, especially about
repairing my bike and fixing punctures.
No job was too big or small. I remember the shock one day as I watched him take a sledge
hammer to the kitchen wall, and repeatedly pound it until there was a gaping hole out to the
garden. Later I understood that this was necessary before you could put in French windows!
A - ADVENTUROUS
My dad gave me a great love for cycling, building dens, climbing mountains and lighting
fires!
T - THINNER
As I grew up, my dad would often say to me “I was thinner than you at your age!” This
wasn’t actually true, and I’m not entirely sure why, as I’ve inherited his love for curry and
proper puddings with custard!
Perhaps it’s because of his understanding of exercise. I remember having a season of
jogging with him and learnt his technique for keeping fit and trim. We’d set off from home
in Beverley, head to the Westwood, circle Black Mill and then head home for bacon and
eggs!
H - HOSPITAL
Being adventurous carries risk. I remember dad building his own wooden sledge with metal
runners. I can also remember sitting on that sledge – him on the back and me on the front.
I can also remember falling off the front of that sledge and my dad running straight over the
top of me!
E - EMOTION
My dad wasn’t the most emotional of men verbally but he did express his love to us as kids
by means of the “chin pie”. This consisted of grabbing us, and holding us whilst he rubbed
his stubbly chin on our foreheads, and we squealed!
R - RHYMES
I will always remember the daft rhymes that my dad taught me. Such as:
There was a young man from Leeds,
Who swallowed a packet of seeds,
A beautiful geranium grew out of his cranium,
And his chest broke out in weeds!
I miss him greatly, but I’m very thankful that Steve Solomon was my father! Jim
Jim Solomon
04/05/2023
