An Open Salon convergence occurred this week: it just seemed like a good time for many of to talk about our dads.  Maybe dad reflections aren't unusual for OS, but, given that my own brief dad sketch struck a chord for some, dad stories have been jumping off the screen at me. I've rounded up a few, four from the past week and Scruffus's from November, and all are worth a vist:

Your loving son, B by M B:  

I hope that it feels better to be sober and off drugs.  I love you very much and worry about you.

  In Praise of a Desperate Man by Tom Cordle: 

Dad was also old school when it came to discipline – spare the rod and spoil the child. He maintained his authority with an iron hand – and by maintaining his distance. He was a difficult man to love, and he didn’t seem to mind. “My children may not love me,” he’d say, “but they’ll damn sure respect me.”

I was fifty before he got either from me.

On Visitations, Religion, and Grace by voicegal: 

My father was awake, in the dead of night, fretting miserably about his circumstances, and how he was to provide for his family.  His eyes, already adjusted to the darkness, began to detect a light in the space beneath his closed bedroom door.  The light grew brighter and brighter, and perplexed, he rose to find its source.

He opened the door to a hallway bathed in exquisite bright light.  It was warm, thick, and once he immersed himself in it, he felt the presence of unconditional love and immeasurable peace.

 The Secret Life of Bent Nails by Catamitebastard:

These are obviously the leftovers of every project he ever had. I imagine him encountering small moments of great joy rummaging through the cans to find something he could use for whatever he was tinkering with.

Then I come to MJ“Bent Nails.

   My Five Dads by Scruffus

Dad Four was a real dog-kicker. My sister and I were walking home from the bus stop when a neighbor lady stopped us and complained that Dad Four was kicking our dog when we weren't home. Her tone was almost accusatory, like we were allowing it to happen. As a third grader, I don't know what I could do about a 250 lb. shipyard worker with steel toed boots coming home and kicking the dog. What could I say? This was the guy who beat my sister because the cable was out.

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I'm sure I missed some, so treat this like an open thread.  If you want to drop into the comment section links to any dad-themed OS content, from the past week  or whenever, please feel free.  

To all the dads out there: cheers!