Memories of my father

The documentaries I watched today at the Hot Docs Festival inspired me to document my childhood memories. One documentary in particular made me think of my father - the relationship we had, what he taught me, the fun we had together as a child and the hardships he endured to provide for our family. My father was without a doubt hard working, loved helping everyone, loyal to his family, had a great smile and was also extremely stubborn. He loved us so much.

I have found childhood memories of time spent with my father. Dad and I would attend the yearly Sr. Santo Cristo festival on the Saturday. My mom would pack us bifana papo secos lunch and send us off to watch the procession and spend the evening listening to the marching band play in the gazebo. It was special spending that time with him, seeing his happiness in spending time with me, besides, it gave my mom time to get her stuff done around the house.

My father loved teaching me how to fix things and how to steer a car. He wanted me to be independent and self sufficient from a young age. He was proud of anything I did. As a teenager, we shared time together in the kitchen making pizzas, bacon cheeseburgers and baking lemon merengue pie. Dad aspired to have chef daughter to cook and bake for him... Till this day, I think he's cheering me on to master my craft in cooking ~ after all, he loved my mom's cooking more than anything. Boy I miss him. Dad would be thrilled to take Elliott for walks, teach him to water the grass and how to use a hammer.

Today was full of fond childhood memories spent with my father. Elliott wasn't fortunate to meet his grandpa Hermano, but he'll hear many stories of the hard working and loving father he was.

Miss you Dad... Beijinhos and sweet dreams.
Paulinha da baraca (as he would call me)



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