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Harold James Baxter 1897 - 1970
Fathers day is the 3rd Sunday in June. The idea came to Sonora Smart Dodd while listening to a mothers day sermon in 1909. As she was raised by her father, she wanted her father to have a special day for all his hard work in raising her. As Sorora was born in June she chose June and the 19th June 1910 in Washington was the first father's day.
In 1924 this day was established and the Rose was chosen as a symble. Red for a living father and white for a father who had died.
Fathers day was not recognised in England till the 1960s or 70s.
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My Dad Jim was born 4th December 1897 being the youngest he lived with his parents and two elder brothers, Albert and William and sister Hilda in Richmond, Surrey.
After serving in the army he served in the Metropolitan Police for thirty-two years at Richmond and Barnes in Surrey, (Near London).
Dad met my mother in the cake shop he visited where she worked.
My memories are of Christmas their was always a police family party to which we all went. Great long tables laden with food down a hall and later Father Christmas called our names out to receive a gift. One year I received a lovely dolls house, which later Dad put battery lights in for me. I still have that dolls house in the attic.
For our holidays we used to go to Margate. Dad had a motor bike and large side car. Don on the back of the bike and mother in the front of the side car and me in the back seat. Which I think was unusual for a two seater side car.I remember riding on the donkeys on the sand and making castlew with the sand. Also Dreamland which was a entertainment centre, and the peir where steam boats stopped.
Dad retired when I was about fourteen. He still worked for the police in cleaning the blue police boxes and making sure the phones were working. I sometimes went with him during school holidays in the sidecar. He like being outside and not at a desk all day.
Then Dad decided to get rid of the motor bike and buy a little black Morris eight car. He never took another driving test as his licence from the motor bike, in those days covered for cars as well.
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ENTWINED
Entwined memories
of yesteryear.
Sunshine and showers
with loved ones near.
Entwined paths
to follow or not.
The one not taken
and the one forgot.
Entwined dreams
that fills the mind.
Fulfilled in passing
with others to find.
Entwined destines
that will evolve,
planned out by God
that we have to solve.
Joy Gale 2001.(c)
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The name Baxter is an English form of the name Baker, a person in charge of the communial ovens.
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The following poem is written by English born Poet Christina Rossetti 1830-1894. A devout Anglican who refused two suitors on religious ground.
Remember
Remember me when I am gone away,
gone far away into the silent land;
When you can no more hold me by the hand,
nor I, half turn to go,
yet turning stay.
Remember me when no more day by day,
you tell me of our future that you planned;
only remember me;
You understand it will be too late
to counsel then or pray.
Yet if you should forget me for a while and
afterwards remember, do not grieve;
for, if the darkness and corruption leave a
vestige of the thoughts that once I had,
better by far you should forget and smile,
than that you should remember
and be sad.
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DAD
Dad it’s years since you were gone
So I have had time to ponder upon
When I was but a little child
You were constantly their by my side
You gave me guidance through the day
And told me when danger came my way
Then when the day came for me to wed
You walked with me and a tear was shed
With mother you moved to be near me
Awaiting your grandchildren one , two and three
A whole new world was opened for us
Your advise was welcomed with out a fuss
Then one day you left us all
Your heavenly father had come to call
Your spirit lives on deep in my mind
A better dad would be hard to find.
Joyce Gale 2005
midi.copyright NEW HOPE MUSIC
