July 12th Stirs Memories of a Father Missed
July 12th, 2010 – A date set in stone
Dad, I remember the phone call like it was yesterday. It was one of the worst days of my life. Eight years ago today the caller told me you had passed. I fell to my knees and sobbed. We had just talked the day before. We had laughed and joked and I had hung up the phone feeling proud to call you my father. Within twenty-four hours you were taken from me and I kept asking myself why?
A part of me left with you that day and the thought of living the rest of my life without you hurt to the core. The pain of losing you will never go away but cherishing the memories I have of you and holding them close to my heart brings me comfort. Sending you hugs dad till we meet again. You are missed immensely. These are my memories of a father missed ❤️❤️
A Little History of my Father
My father was born in 1941. His father was Irish and his mother was German. At the young age of nineteen, his mother crossed Europe on foot to find an English soldier she had met in the British occupying forces stationed in Silesia after World War 1. Amazingly she found him, they married and had three children. But he was gassed in the trenches and died from the effects in the late thirties. She later remarried Hogan and had my father.
Dad was raised in the working class portobello area on the west side of London. Born with severe deformities to both feet, he experienced over thirteen years of surgery to correct the problem. It was during this time that his love for books developed.
He married my mother at the young age of twenty and had my older twin sisters, Debbie and Jane. (No, that is not one of us in the picture. I’m not sure what the story is behind the monkey.) Two years late they had me and bought a four-bedroom house in the small Yorkshire town called Ilkley.
Memories of my Father
As a child, my father worked in the computer business, traveling all over Europe. My mother never had to work and stayed home to raise my sisters and me.
Dad was a man with a brilliant mind who also had a passion for writing. I remember many nights hearing the tap-tap of his typewriter into the wee hours of the morning before he headed out the door to go to work. He worked hard to provide for his family and fed his passion for writing when he was home.
His professional writing career began with a bet in his office. After reading the book 2001 A Space Odessy by Arthur C. Clark. (Or maybe he watched the movie. I’m not sure.) He was confused by the ending and complained to his co-workers the next day. In response, they bet him that he couldn’t write a science fiction novel and get it published. Well, he did and that was his first book Inherit the Stars published by Dell Rey Publishers in 1977.
By this time my parents had divorced. Dad was transferred to the States and married my step-mother, Jackie. They went on to have three sons, Alex, Michael, and Joe.
By 1979 he had written four more books and took the plunge to quit his job and write full time. It was the right decision.
You can see more of my dad’s books on his website James P. Hogan
Dad’s Writing Career
His career spanned over thirty years in which time he wrote over thirty novels and five collections of short stories, all in the hard science fiction genre. He wrote articles for many magazines and he went on to win three Seiun-sho awards for Japanese SF fans. He left this world too early with unfinished works and had much more to say.
My Mentor
My father will always be my inspiration and my mentor. He showed me the joy of books at a young age and like him, I’ve always had a passion to write. He was the backbone of the family and kept us all grounded. We looked up to him and admired him for his achievements. He taught me, to never give up, work hard, persevere, and the rewards will come. Dad, I’m working on it.
I’m saddened that he will not be here to see my debut novel finally be published. Such a proud moment I would have liked to have shared with him. I think he would be pretty proud of me. You are missed everyday dad, not only by your family but your fans that loved your novels. You left behind a legacy that is still enjoyed by many and new fans are discovering your work every day. Until we meet again dad.
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This is such a great read and I really enjoyed it a lot. It just so sad that your father is no longer with you but I am glad that he was able to taught you a lot of good things, helps you and motivates you to be who you are today. I know how grateful and proud you are to be his daughter.
Thank you. Yes, I am proud to be his daughter.
When I read about this post, at the same time, I was also thinking of my dad who passed away 6 years ago. Yes, I too miss him very much. Your dad will still be very proud of your debut novel!
Thank you so much. So sorry about your father too.
I love reading your post. You’re father had really taught you so well. I am sure that he is happy and proud of what you have become.
Thank you! Your words made me smile. 🙂
I’m sorry for the loss of your dad. I am blessed to still have both of my parents and I feel guilty about that at times when someone loses one of theirs. He sounds like a remarkable man and I would love to check out his writing. And yours. Congrats on your own writing.
Thank you and never feel guilty. Feel blessed and savor every moment with them. I am a proud daughter, he accomplished so much. I hope you check out his books & and mine when it’s launched.
So sorry about your father!
Thank you.
God bless you. I can’t imagine the pain of losing a parent. I am fortunate to have both of mine still living.
We learn to live with it. It never goes away, we find comfort to soothe the pain which was the reason for this post on the anniversary of his death.
This post was so beautifully written for your father. There is nothing quite like that bond and I am going to be so saddened when my father is no longer with us.
Thank you so much and cherish the days and years you have with him. Make the most of them My father died too young at 69 of a heart attack. Totaly unexpected and whats left is a void that will never be filled.
That is so awesome that you had a close relationship with your father. This definitely makes me miss my dad.
Thank you. He was the best. So sorry about your dad.
What a great story your father has. I wish I had more information about my father and grandfather, unfortunately, he knows very little of his own childhood.
I have always found it fascinating. My dad had talked about writing a book about it someday but unforchantly it never happened.
I know it is painful to lose someone you love. I know I need to do everything to have a close relationship with my Dad.
Thank you it’s tough but I have such fond memories that give me comfort.
Aww I wish I had family that had a love for writing like I do. That is so special for you to be able to share together!
This is such a beautiful story of your dad Tina. Totally enjoyed reading about his life and how your parents met. He would be so proud of you and your debut novel. Good luck and do share more about your book.
Thank you so much for your kind words. My book is due to be launched October 4th. I’ll be posting updates. 🙂
Beautiful tribute to your father, his memory will live on in his writing. It’s obvious where you got your passion for writing from. A lovely post x
Thank you, Debbie. He is missed but I have so much to be grateful for because of him.
Your father’s memory has become your blessing Tina.
Thank you very much for sharing your heartfelt feelings about your dad.
Thank you. He certainly is my blessing and I’m forever grateful.
I love learning about the lives of other people and your dad sounds like he was a pretty awesome guy! My dad was born in 1942, so this made me think of him!
Thank you. Yes, my dad was truly awesome. I’m Proud to have been able to call him my dad.