When my daughter was born, it was, in my mind anyway, the proudest day of my life. From day one I fell in love with this energetic bundle of total joy. I felt the same when my son was born, but for this blog I am just gonna talk about Taylor.
She has always been a joy of a child. She is motivated, sporty, loving, caring and most importantly she loves her Dad to bits. She is fearsome and is never afraid of a challenge. There is nothing she likes more than to go out side and throw a rugby ball around.
Some time in the last couple of years my little girl went from being a little girl to a young women. I can't tell you exactly when. Just one morning I looked at her and realised my little girl had changed, and my life would change also. She is a teenager now. Her life revolves around boys, soccer, rugby, ta kwon do, school, face book....any number of things which seems to dominate a teenagers time. I have noticed how I don't get quite as many hugs as I use to, how she forgets to call me,.....that I have some how become a taxi service and WI-FI supplier. I know she still loves me and and still cares but things are just changing. It dawned on me recently that in a few short years she may not even be living with me anymore. She is no problem, and still brings me great joy, the cycle of life is taking it's normal path and in a way it saddens me a little. Deep down I dont think father really wants his daughter growing up.
I have always set out to create memories with my kids. Holidays and events that will stay in there minds until longafter I left this world.
This weekend I took Taylor on a road trip. We have always done day trips and this was actually our first ever over nighter. She lost interest in the bike for few years and didn't want to come riding with me, but over the last few months she has shown more interest. I once showed her a trip I did to the Forgotten Highway. This blog is not about the roads we travelled but is about the time we spent together. If you want to know more about the forgotten highway have a look at my previous blog from last year....here, there is also a Link to Geoff's excellent blog on the same area.
We did over 88O kms for the weekend. She never complained once,well perhaps that is not entirely true, she did say she had a sore bum once. Which of course I can understand. It was an awesome experience for me to show Taylor some of the best forgotten roads New Zealand had to offer. When we finally got to a motel on the first night we were exhausted, we did discuss watching a video but instead collapsed into bed early.
We often stopped, reading a lot of the historical notes that are placed along side the road, we admired the scenery, we ate ice cream, we discussed life in a small town, we laughed, joked, but most importanly for me..we were together. Just us. No distractions. Just me and my girl.
Here are some of the pics from what was a great weekend.
I am not sure if I created a a memory for her....but I certaily created one for myself.
Great post. She sounds like a great kid, even though she doesn't call as often as you would like.
ReplyDeleteDon’t take that personally though, as it isn’t just Taylor. My kids don’t always answer the phone when I call. You wait till that happens!
It looks like the two of you had a great couple of days together. I think she will remember it.
Gary, she is a great kid, i am lucky....she does have her moments though. I am sure you cn relate, considering the "ticket"ncident of last month. Hope the book is coming along..have fun in CUBA!
DeleteRog that ride sounds like one of those one's that you will always cherish and never ever forget. I'm not sure if you realise it yet but you will probably have taken some photo's here that will become some of your favourites.
ReplyDeleteI hope one day when my daughter gets a bit bigger and older I can take her for a couple of overnighter rides.
Mate: I am sure you will....I am pretty strict on my riding when she is on the back, very cautious and no broken speed limits all weekend. Still very much enjoyed the ride though.
DeleteWhat an awesome weekend for the two of you. You can tell you both are enjoying it by the size of your smiles.
ReplyDeleteHaving spent many many a mile on the back of Troubadour's Sprint I can empathize with Taylor's sore bum. At least she is small enough she has some wiggle room.
Thank you for letting us into your weekend with your daughter.
Brandy: I did tell her to wiggle....but then she would do it mid corner, so I had re-edcate her on that one!
DeleteWhat a memorable little journey. I am pretty sure that one day she will look back and think of the good times she had with her dad (sore bum and all.).
ReplyDeleteSonja: I hope I did create some memories for her, only time will tell though.
DeleteRoger:
ReplyDeleteWe were always into cars. We had a couple of RX7's and I used to take our son down to Seattle or Bellingham nearly every weekend to visit the comic book stores. He used to collect them. We spent nearly every weekend down in the 'States going to every comic store in the area so it was our bonding time. Now that he is older he seldom wants to go anywhere, but I still remember those times. The RX7 was such a small car, we remember it was like a skateboard with wheels. Too bad he never really got interested in riding, although he used to do a lot of cycling.
bob
Riding the Wet Coast
Bob: I know some times with my son it is hard to know weather I make an impact at all, even when I do things with him. At least we try mate, and have put some time into them, that really is all we can do.
DeleteIf more men were like you this world would be a much better place
ReplyDeleteThank-you, I appreciate you comment.
ReplyDeleteRog me ol' mate....
ReplyDeleteYou could have been talking about our daughter Victoria!! I also didn't want my little girl to grow up and shed some tears the day she went off to university in the south island - the day of leaving the nest forever. She's 28 now and you come to realise that they're always "your little girl" no matter how old they get and how things change!
Mate; I think Victoria and Taylor are out of the same mold! You are right of course, she will always be my little girl. I just wish she wouldnt grow up. Thanks for poppong in.
Delete“I’ll love you forever,
ReplyDeleteI’ll like you for always,
as long as I’m living
my baby you’ll be.” - Robert Munsch
Your post brought back memories of taking my son camping. (okay, so now we text)
Vstar; Great little poem. I am glad my post brought you soe nice memories. That is what i trying to achive...I hope i succeded.
DeleteHey Roger, you are making me so homesick with your photos :( If you ever get down to Te Awamutu let me know and I will give you my dads address, you can always chat with him about motorcycling and I know Im biased but he is the best mechanic and knows it all about bikes and cars. He would love any motorcyclist to visit with him. But as to your daughter, you have created memories for her and yourself. I aimed to always create memories and most importantly, being there for them and allowing them to grow into who they are. I have two daughters, one here and one living in New Zealand and a son who lives next door to me. My kids are 26, 22 and 20. I have a wonderful relationship and bond with each of my kids and each one different to the other. But your daughter is wonderful and she is certainly lucky to have such a good dad that does these things with her - she will always have that special bond with you. Other things come up in life, but you are her rock. Kids like to know that their rock is there, wont ever move and they can always shelter on their rock.
ReplyDeleteDeb: I am sure every time you hear a kiwi accent you are home sick! I often head down Te awamutu way for a ride, so by all means pass on you dad's address. I would love to call in, after reading your blog about hime i feel as if I know him all ready.
DeleteI hope I am Taylors rock, a place she can return to seek refuge. She is a great kid and I am proud to call he mine.
Roger - I know that same feeling of love and joy with my daughter. The day she was born was the closest thing to a miracle I will ever feel in my lifetime. She had brought me so much joy and I can't fully express my depth of love or feeling for her. She makes me smile when I am sad, causes me tears from time to time, but she is the light of my existence. She has been so encouraging this past year with my moto obsession and has expressed interest in riding, so who know maybe we will be a moto family afterall. My wee girl is 14 and I am proud of the young woman she is becoming, but also wistful for yesterday when she was little, for she too will be leaving the nest. I never thought one could ferociously love someone until she came into my life. Being a parent is one of the most rewarding things and sometimes it is heartbreaking. I hope she finds her dreams and lives well, that is all a parent could ever want for their child. Your story about you and your daughter brings a lump in my throat and makes me happy and sad at the same time. You sound like you are a good dad and you have a good kid. Enjoy each other, treasure your moments and smile about the memories.
ReplyDeletedar: Thank you; I wish I could get my daughter to cook as yours though! She must be very proud of, you are probably the coolest mum around. I agrre with your comments very much. As long as she is happy i will be happy. THhanks for sharing your thought. Some times she brings the best and worst out in me! But she is priceless and always will be.
DeleteMy little girl turns 31 in February. Time does fly. Enjoy the moments and the memories....and keep making time for both.
ReplyDelete~Keith
Keith: Thanks mate. and boy time does fly, one minute she is learning to walk..next minute she wants me to teach her to drive!
ReplyDeleteCreating precious memories.
ReplyDeleteIf she doesn't appreciate it now, she will later. These are the things that stick with us. So wonderful that you had a father-daughter moment together!
kari: Thanks, It was very nice to have a "just us" time together.
DeleteA lovely thing to read and a precious thing to share. Thanks Rogey, you're all right x. Bruce & Lucy
ReplyDeleteBruce & Lucy: Thanks for stopping by. Glad you enjoyed the read...bad spelling and all!
Deletehi Rogey
ReplyDeleteMay i say reading your blog bought back memories to me of when my children were small. What a fantastic dad you are to Taylor. I thoroughly enjoyed the account of your special times together. And as always, quite simply put I enjoy your blogs. End of story. Well done Rogey and what a total joy Taylor is for you. She looks like she has grown up to be quite an awsome young lady. I am sure the amount of quality time you are spending with her will be a great benefit to both of you and help with her journey to womanhood. Great reading Rogey, and looks like you both had a fantastic time together. What a special young lady and lucky to have such an amazing dad. Regards Gravelhopper
Mrs Gravel Hopper! Thanks , I am glad you enjoyed the read. She is a joy...and a challenge at times that is for sure. She does bring a lot of fun into m life and keeps me young!
DeleteRoger,
ReplyDeleteExcellent! I can't say as I know how it feels to have a daughter growing up too fast, but I can say how good it feels to have great memories with my dad.
I think you're fabulous! It's a wonderful to have a healthy, loving relationship between father and daughter. You will be the template for the kind of man she chooses for life.
Congratulations on a wonderful weekend!
Lady R (Di)
Dianna...lovely being on a first name basis! I have a great relationship with my parents now, but it was not always like that. Taylor is your typical teenager now, and as such we are having our moments. I can only keep trying. Only time will tell if I am a great Dad. PS....I am not looking forward to the day she chooses a man!
DeleteI always enjoy your blog. They sure do grow up quick don't they? Take care and I have to tell you every time I read your blog I always have to look and see New Zealand on google maps. Wow what a beautiful place to live.
ReplyDeleteJay: Thanks mate for popping by, I really appreciate your comment and for taking time to read my blog. We are certainly lucky her in NZ..we have so much in a small place. As you can tell I am pretty entusiastic about my country.
DeleteGreat trip for the two of you, it's so nice when I hang out with my daughter, (which I don't do often enough) and I want to take her on a trip too but like you say, she's 15 and always busy with her friends and facebook and all the other kid's stuff. It's so great you can do that.
ReplyDeleteThis summer I will take a trip with my daughter, I have to, you just made sure I will, thanks.