Sitting on the train this morning on my way to work I wanted to cry then suddenly I had a warm smile.

My dad at my engagement party, just before he died. Image: supplied.

Me with dad, and the best dad-pointails. Image supplied.

All packed up ready for a road trip. Image supplied.

I meet people all the time who knew him and sing his praises. People I never expected to know him, in particular his former students. He lives on through all the relationships he ever had.

So as that well-dressed woman on the train treats her Dad to a delicious lunch on Sunday and as all of Australia comes together to celebrate the fathers and father-figures in their lives - don’t pity us in the Dead Dads Club. Just understand that our celebration will have moments of breathlessness and tears but remind us even if our Dad’s version of us has gone our version of them lives on.