When you get together this weekend with your dad—either in person or virtually—enjoy reminiscing about the good times and adventures you had together. Also remember to take a moment to think about your dad’s future.
Now is a great time to check that his estate planning documents are in order and up to date. Sure, it’s not the most sentimental gesture. But taking a moment to check the basics can be of great benefit down the road. It’s the least you can do for someone who has given so much for his family.
In preparation for Father’s Day, we here at the firm took time to share our favorite memories of our dads with you. We would love it if you shared your own in the comments section and hope that you enjoy ours.
Beware the Jabberwocky
When I was little and before his car accident, my dad, Dennis Sandoval, took us on a trip through California, Oregon, and Washington, and up into Canada. We rented a little cabin in the woods that wasn’t too far from a pond and stream area. I was old enough to not want to stick too closely to my parents—adventuring off in the woods sounded much more fun. Unfortunately for me, my dad was fully aware of my inclinations and decided to make this the last time it would happen on his watch. My sister, Amber, and I started back toward the cabin rather late. It was so much darker than what it was back home. I remember looking up at dark branches—everything was just black on black. And I remember my dad coming up from behind and scaring the bejeezus out of us! He led us to believe it was the Jabberwocky and that we’d better stick close to him or it would come take us away next time. I barely got any sleep that night and the following nights. To this day, my dad always has the biggest grin on his face whenever he tells the story.
Bryanna Sandoval, Paralegal, Sandoval Legacy Group
Tough Love
My father, Dayn Holstrom, is as tough and competitive as they come. As the eldest of four, I caught the best of it. As my soccer coach, he required me to juggle a soccer ball in the garage for 20 minutes each morning before school, starting in about third grade. Once, early in high school, when our team was behind 1-0 near the end of a match, he got himself ejected by the officials to fire up the team. Or so he says! When I came home with a nearly-failing midterm grade in pre-calculus, he placed me on Dayn Holstrom Academic Probation, which entailed weekly notes home from my instructor and limitations on my privileges. It was effective enough to raise my grade to B on my transcripts. My father set the tone and modeled achievement for me and my siblings. He always cheered us on, sometimes to my chagrin, with loud whoops and fist pumps whenever our names were called at the school assembly. My dad was unequivocally my toughest critic and simultaneously my biggest fan. He taught me me how to weather the storms, respect all, and to “kick butt and rip it up.” Love you, Dad!
Kristen Holstrom, Assistant Managing Partner, CFLS, Holstrom, Block & Parke
Mon Père
As a child of divorce, my father was absent for much of my youth. That all changed when he took me to France for my 13th birthday. The experience not only brought us closer but gave me exposure to different food, clothing, music, art, language and culture, all of which influence me to this very day.
Matt Bogosian, Family Law Attorney, CFLS, Holstrom, Block & Parke (shown below with his dad)
Lucky Banana
My dad jokes around with me a lot. One time, he took my husband and me fishing on his boat. We didn’t catch anything all day; none of us even got a nibble. At the end of the day, we were unpacking the boat and my dad says: “Who brought the banana?!!” It’s apparently bad luck to bring a banana on a boat. Obviously I didn’t know that! He still gives me grief over how my banana is the reason we didn’t catch anything all day.
Emiliza San Diego, Family Law Attorney, Holstrom, Block & Parke
Sticker Shock
On the day I was born, upon learning how much the hospital was going to charge them for my birth, he sold his boat so my parents would have enough money to pay for it. After I was born, the hospital told him the insurance was going to cover the whole thing! So of course, he did the logical thing when your first child is born and bought a boat the very same day while my mom was recovering in the hospital. He was so happy because he got two new babies that day!
Venessa Damon, Paralegal, Sandoval Legacy Group
Our Time in the Garden
My dad and I would spend hours on the weekend pulling weeds and talking. It wasn’t really about the work we were doing—I was not a good weed picker—but rather about the time we spent together before anyone else got up on Saturday mornings. We did this every week for over ten years! It was our time.
Heather Rawlings, Community Outreach Manager, Holstrom, Block & Parke
Always Present
I grew up never knowing who my blood father was. My step-father came into my life when I was five years old and accepted me as his own. My mother told me I gave him a hard time in the beginning because I didn’t want him to take my mom away from me. So, of course, he bribed me by buying me toys. As time went on, we got along. I can say growing up we butted heads; a lot and that was due to us having similar personalities. We both shared the same birth month of April and zodiac sign, so that is probably why we were similar. I remember him being a very hard worker, a trait he instilled in my siblings and me. He made sure he provided for our family and his family back in Colombia. He always made sure he was very present in our lives by spending lots of time with us. We were outside all the time with him playing soccer, washing his car and doing yardwork. He passed away back in 1999 but I picture him every day dancing to salsa music while looking at himself in the mirror. Which is funny because I catch my 3-year-old doing the same thing.
Tekisha Rooks Carbajal, Paralegal, Sandoval Legacy Group
The Circle Game
This Father’s Day is mixed with emotions because my father passed away three months ago. However, my son is celebrating his very first Father’s Day as a new dad, so we couldn’t be more thrilled! Several favorite memories of dad come to mind: him doing donuts with us in the car on snow covered streets; motorcycle rides; sledding and ice skating; teaching me how to dive in the swimming pool and drive my first car; touring downtown Buffalo to see and hear all about the buildings where he installed the electrical. And of course, there’s football – lots of weekends cheering on the Bills together. I will miss dad dearly this Father’s Day, but the joy of my son experiencing his first Daddy’s Day reminds me of the circle of life and how precious fathers are to us. Happy Father’s Day to all dads!
Deborah Allen, Accounting Manager, Holstrom, Block & Parke
Sing Me a Song
One of my fondest memories of my Dad is when he would get out his guitar and play and sing some songs for me. He really had a nice singing voice and I remember in particular him singing an old song called “Up the Lazy River” which I really loved.
Janelle James, Paralegal, Holstrom, Block & Parke
Fare Thee Smell
My dad was my hero. He was the greatest human being to me. He passed away from cancer about five years ago. I could go on about the things we did and the times we spent. However, my favorite story to tell of my dad was around the time he was passing. Towards the end of his life, I was able to spend a little bit more time with my father. My mom got the last kiss, the last eyebrow acknowledgment and the last bits of affection. However, I got the last words from him. Those last words were about 10 days before he died. I told my dad I loved him, he told me he loved me to. It was strained and it was hard for him to say. However, I know it was all he could do to say it and it was loaded with emotion. I was upset. It was hard for me, especially because I am such a wuss, to see my dad deteriorating. I think my dad recognized my emotions. He started pointing his finger at me. I looked at my shirt, nothing was on it, I looked behind me to see if he was trying to get me to look somewhere. There was nothing and no one. My dad had a playful look in his eye and I remembered an old game. I asked him if he wanted me to pull his finger and he smiled real big and told me “yeah, yeah!” My dad’s last words to anyone on Earth was for me to pull his finger. It was perfect, funny, charming and hilarious. Just like him.
Jeremy N. Roark, Family Law Attorney, Holstrom, Block & Parke (shown below with his dad)
My Biggest Fanfare
I played football throughout high school and college and I do not remember one football game, whether at home or away, that my father missed. Even the JV games when I was a freshman in high school – before I got drafted up to varsity towards the end of my high school freshman season. I always knew that my dad was in the crowd because he always brought a horn with him that had a very distinctive sound. When I heard that sound, I knew my dad was in stands watching me play. My dad passed away a few years ago, but he and mom left me with many warm memories. Happy Father’s Day, dad!
Dennis M. Sandoval, Managing Partner, Sandoval Legacy Group
4xFun
When it was time for me to learn how to drive, my dad told me if I could drive a stick shift, I could drive anything. So, he taught me to drive his Jeep Wrangler. And once I had learned we took a father-daughter trip to Big Bear for a weekend Jeep Jamboree. He let me drive through the mud and 4×4 over rocks. It even snowed at one point! My dad always made learning experiences fun and memorable.
Megan Boling, Office Manager & Paralegal, Sandoval Legacy Group
My Oldest Memories
My father died when I was four years old, and I have four memories of him. Two are him laughing and playing with me while pushing me on a backyard swing set, and another is him giving me a bath. He got shampoo in my eye, and to me, it felt like he was cleaning my arm rough—not the way mom did it.
Kathy Davis, Paralegal, Holstrom, Block, & Parke
Contact Our Trust Attorneys
If you have additional questions or concerns about how to protect your loved ones in your estate plan, contact the experienced Riverside estate planning and elder law attorneys at Sandoval Legacy Group by calling (951) 888-1460 to schedule an appointment.
Have a question? Ask Dennis.
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