Remembering My Father on Father's Day

I was fourteen years old when I lost my father. Today, on Father's Day, I find myself reflecting on a man I barely had the chance to know. The memory that remains most vivid is the day he fell down the basement stairs while I was home recovering from a minor operation. I can still hear my mother's screams as I rushed downstairs. He was struggling to breathe and had lost consciousness while my mother called for an ambulance. After several days in the hospital, the doctors determined that he would never recover. The difficult decision was made to remove life support. When he was taken away, I never saw him again except at the funeral home. He was only fifty-six years old.

My father had begun working at a very young age. As the eldest child in a large family, he carried the responsibility of helping to support his siblings. He was a tall, handsome man, and together he and my mother built a loving family of eight children.

I remember the excitement whenever he returned from one of his trucking trips. He often brought home small gifts for my sister and me, quietly placing them on our beds while we slept. Those simple gestures spoke volumes about his love and generosity.

Life became much more difficult after he lost his trucking company. As a sensitive young girl, I could sense his sadness and disappointment, although I was too young to fully understand the burden he carried. Looking back, I regret not having had the opportunity to know him better, as my older brothers and sisters did.

Today, life has brought me many blessings. I am especially grateful to be embraced by my beloved partner Sylvain's family, whose warmth, love, and support have enriched my life in countless ways. While Father's Day will always carry a touch of sadness, it also reminds me of the enduring bonds of family, the precious memories we hold close, and the gratitude we feel for those who have shaped our lives.

Sylvain chose the perfect venue for a family gathering, Cantine Flaquita, which has been designed as a welcoming, kid-friendly environment, complete with a small play area where children can feel safe and entertained while parents relax and enjoy their meal. In many ways, Flaquita reflects Emily herself — warm, vibrant, and rooted in family. And in Hudson, it has quickly become a place where good food and community naturally come together.

The family gathering for Father's Day - three children and five grand-children