Francis Gay

Each week, Francis Gay shares heart-warming, moving and humorous stories from his daily diary. 

Lucky to have had dinner with her dad 

LYNNE went out for dinner with her dad during the week. 

It wasn’t for any special occasion but they had a lovely time. They spent the evening chatting and reminiscing, looking forward to the future and, most of all, having a great laugh.

After mentioning it in passing at work the next day her colleague, Angela, asked how it had gone. “Yeah, it was fine,” Lynne replied, but something about Angela’s expression made her ask, “Why?”

Old-fashioned

Angela protested that it was nothing but eventually admitted that she could never imagine doing such a thing with her father. He, it seemed, was an old-fashioned sort. A good man, but a little stand-offish. 

A quiet, relaxed dinner with his grown-up daughter would never have crossed his mind. Angela seemed a little sad that she’d struggle to have an evening with her dad like Lynne had enjoyed with hers.

Being honest, Lynne admitted she hadn’t thought too much of it at the time, other than enjoying it for what it was. 

But now she’s really glad she has that kind of relationship with her father. 

We often forget just what a blessing good relationships with our loved ones are. And if you find yourself in Angela’s situation — or her father’s for that matter — well, why not pick up the phone and book a table? It’s never too late.

ANDY is one of the most positive people I know. 

He usually has the happy ability to find sunshine on the rainiest day. But he used to have a real problem with “glass half empty” people — folk who chose to look on the dark side of a situation really used to frustrate and depress him.

But recently I saw him talking with just such a person. Nothing he said made the other man any happier but when he walked away Andy wasn’t annoyed as he once would have been. I asked him why and he said he’d finally realised the answer. “The answer to what?” I asked.

“The answer to why we need negative people,” he laughed. “Because they make positive people try so much harder. So, in a way, the world’s a better place because of them!”

Didn’t I tell you he could find the bright side in any situation?

Any correspondence for Francis Gay should be sent to: 
The Sunday Post, 2 Albert Square, Dundee, DD1 9QJ 
or email francisgay@sundaypost.com

© All copyright D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd., 2010