[James Matthew Najera]

General Discussion Thread 06.15.2025​

Happy Father's Day, GrayViners!
Today’s a special one—and around here, we love a good story. So let’s hear yours: What’s one of your favorite memories with your dad, or as a father yourself?

For me, I’ll never forget those backyard grilling lessons with my dad. I was still learning (which mostly meant turning burgers into hockey pucks), but he always stood by with a big grin, saying, “Don’t worry—they’re perfect.” Looking back, it wasn’t about the food. It was about the time together, the laughs, and knowing he was always proud, even of my slightly crispy burgers.

Now it’s your turn. Whether it’s a fishing trip, a life lesson, or just a quiet moment on the porch, we’d love to hear the stories that make you smile today.

Drop your memories below—let’s celebrate all the wonderful dads and father figures out there.

Cheers!
Blue 🩵

 

[BarbF]

My favorite memories of my Daddy? Always, always willing to help someone! He never turned anyone down! He was the best big rig driver, was even asked to go back and help one company when he was 70! Which he did!
And playing his guitar to Mama and all 7 of us kids!

 

[angib55]

My dad was killed when l was 11. l am limited on memories that l had with him. He was raised with 4 brothers and then had 2 sons with my mom. So being the first girl was special to begin with and he spoiled me quite a bit. lt didn't take much to get his attention and love. My mom told me when l was older that she was a little jealous of the attention that he gave me. l could do no wrong in his eyes even if it was wrong.

 

[MidwestgmaX2]

When my sister and I were little and we'd go camping as a family, my dad would always make pancakes shaped like animals for us. We refused to eat pancakes my mother made because he always made them taste better because of the shapes he would create.

 

[Geri]

The summers we spent on the water whether it was the Ct river or Lake Champlain. Every summer in Vermont . Dad driving our boat. Fishing with him and Mom and brother. Water skiing while dad motored us around the river and lake. Great times had by all.

 

[dkleslie52]

Letting me follow him around, and asking all kinds of questions and him answering them!!

 

[Hello2024]

My father died when I was 7 so I really have no memories but wish that I did.

 

[aahzdeen]

I remember when my dad got his goldwing motorcycle, we rode it on the coast of california going from Eureka down to Santa Rosa where my grandmother lived. That was the best time.

 

[Shirley S.]

After i came home after work i would fix us supper and we would watch tv till Johnny Carson came on. Every evening i would fix him a sundae, vanilla ice cream with chocolate syrup and peanuts on top. It was his favorite.
My husband was overseas in the army so I lived at my parents home. My mom was a waitress soo she worked nights, so I was there for company for my dad.
I really loved my dad and always enjoyed the time we were able to be able to bond as adults. He lived until he was one month from his 90th birthday.
love you Dad.

 

[yachna]

I lost my father when i was very young, my happiest memory goes way back to the early forties when we were at war. My father would come home from work, take me on his lap and sing "you are my sunshine" while holding me. i was six or seven years old and felt so safe and special. I am 92 now and love to watch old black and white movies, Every so often that song comes up and i still feel the childhood joy. thank you, Daddy.

 

[NancyCL]

When I was a kid, my dad and I used to go out almost every Saturday to go bowling then to lunch. I got married and had a baby, so that took up a lot of my time, and after two years, my husband, daughter and I moved to another state, so I didn't get to see my parents much. Then, when in my mid-30s, we moved closer to my parents, and I started a Father's Day tradition where just my dad and I would go bowling and out for lunch. It brought back the closeness and fun we had when I was a child. Unfortunately, my dad passed away and we only got ten years to have this special together time, but the memories of the time just the two of us shared the joy of my childhood are forever in needed in my mind and heart.

 

[Gibb]

My mother had Huntington's disease
That left my dad to take of us. ( 5 girls )
He was a truck driver. When he was at home he cooked and cleaned. He was a hard worker. He had his hands full. I was there oldest and started doing the cooking, except on Sunday. He cooked a big meal every week. I miss.him very much

 

[TriciaR]

My favorite memories of my Daddy? Always, always willing to help someone! He never turned anyone down! He was the best big rig driver, was even asked to go back and help one company when he was 70! Which he did!
And playing his guitar to Mama and all 7 of us kids!

Thank you so much for sharing that beautiful memory @BarbF ! Your Daddy sounds like a true gem — kind-hearted, talented, and clearly so well respected in his work. I love the image of him playing guitar for your Mama and all seven of you — what a special family moment that must have been! Did he have a favorite song he loved to play? Or one that reminds you most of him now?

 

[TriciaR]

My dad was killed when l was 11. l am limited on memories that l had with him. He was raised with 4 brothers and then had 2 sons with my mom. So being the first girl was special to begin with and he spoiled me quite a bit. lt didn't take much to get his attention and love. My mom told me when l was older that she was a little jealous of the attention that he gave me. l could do no wrong in his eyes even if it was wrong.

Thank you so much for sharing something so personal @angib55 . I’m so sorry you lost your dad at such a young age — that must have been incredibly hard. It’s clear from your words just how deeply he loved you, and how special that father-daughter bond was, even in such a short time. It’s great to hear that your mom shared that story with you too — a sweet reminder of just how much you were adored. Do you have a favorite photo or keepsake of your dad that still brings you comfort today?

 

[TriciaR]

When my sister and I were little and we'd go camping as a family, my dad would always make pancakes shaped like animals for us. We refused to eat pancakes my mother made because he always made them taste better because of the shapes he would create.

Aww, what a sweet memory — thank you so much for sharing @MidwestgmaX2 ! Your dad sounds like he knew just how to make ordinary moments feel magical. I love that the pancakes weren’t just food, they were a little show of love and creativity. No wonder they tasted better! Do you remember if he had a signature animal he was best at making? Or did he surprise you with something new each time?

 

[TriciaR]

The summers we spent on the water whether it was the Ct river or Lake Champlain. Every summer in Vermont . Dad driving our boat. Fishing with him and Mom and brother. Water skiing while dad motored us around the river and lake. Great times had by all.

Thank you for sharing @Geri — what a beautiful picture you’ve painted! Summers on the water with your family sound absolutely idyllic. Your dad sounds like the heart of those adventures, making sure everyone had fun and stayed connected. Water skiing, fishing, boating — such classic memories! Do you still get a chance to visit Vermont or spend time on the water? I imagine those memories must come rushing back when you do!

 

[TriciaR]

Letting me follow him around, and asking all kinds of questions and him answering them!!

That’s such a lovely memory — thank you for sharing @dkleslie52 ! I can just picture a curious little shadow trailing behind Dad, full of questions! It says so much about his patience and the bond you two shared. Do you remember one of the funnier or more surprising things you asked him about? I bet he had some great answers!

 

[TriciaR]

My father died when I was 7 so I really have no memories but wish that I did.

Thank you for sharing that with us @Hello2024 — I’m truly sorry you didn’t get the chance to build more memories with your dad. Even without those moments, your wish to have known him more deeply speaks volumes about the love that was there. Have you ever been told stories about him by family or seen photos that gave you a glimpse into who he was?

 

[TriciaR]

I remember when my dad got his goldwing motorcycle, we rode it on the coast of california going from Eureka down to Santa Rosa where my grandmother lived. That was the best time.

What an amazing memory — thank you for sharing @aahzdeen ! Riding a Goldwing along the California coast sounds like pure freedom, and doing it with your dad must have made it unforgettable. That stretch from Eureka to Santa Rosa is so beautiful — the perfect backdrop for a father-child adventure! Did you and your dad take many other road trips together, or was that one a special one-time journey?

 

[TriciaR]

After i came home after work i would fix us supper and we would watch tv till Johnny Carson came on. Every evening i would fix him a sundae, vanilla ice cream with chocolate syrup and peanuts on top. It was his favorite.
My husband was overseas in the army so I lived at my parents home. My mom was a waitress soo she worked nights, so I was there for company for my dad.
I really loved my dad and always enjoyed the time we were able to be able to bond as adults. He lived until he was one month from his 90th birthday.
love you Dad.

Thank you so much for sharing that beautiful memory @Shirley S. — it’s clear how special that time with your dad was. The image of you two sharing quiet evenings, watching Johnny Carson and enjoying those ice cream sundaes — what a sweet and meaningful routine. It’s lovely that you got to bond with him as an adult, especially during such a unique time in your life. Did he ever joke about your sundaes being better than the ones your mom could make? It sounds like you brought him so much comfort and joy.