Texas Star I am sorry for your loss. I understand some of what you are saying, my Dad was a little distant too, an engineer, and seemed to talk of my athletic skills to folks when I was with him rather than what an outstanding kid I was, or tried to be at times anyway.
He got much closer after I matured. I did learn from him, I passed it on to my children in a much more tactful manner. He taught me things like, if you want a deer rifle there is a gun shop and they take your money. If you want a car there are things called car lots and they take your money, etc. I helped my kids on the first gun and first car. But then they knew once on their own, if they wanted something there is a store for it. Dad was a child of the depression and had to earn his way, I guess it was that way for many of them.
Dad too went through Dementia and Altzhiemers. My Dad had multiple degrees, one was English Lit, he too wrote technical papers and was death on my spelling errors. But like I said he warmed up lots to my brother and I as we matured. We miss him, he's been gone 3 years. Died at 86, veterans home, pneumonia. When my brother called and said he's going to pass, I drove 1/2 way across Missouri on the interstate over 90 MPH and was not seen by the LEO's. He passed just before I arrived.
Texas Star, I wish the best for you and your family. Some things I did not grasp early on were, life is not fair, you must play the hand your are dealt while young but have learned you can choose better cards with wisdom.
It sounds like you did great with your children, that is what it is about, what happened between you and your parents is a different story, but one sure can learn from others mistakes.
My brother and I bought our own guns, cars and necessities and once or twice when younger we discussed the exact fact that we did not want to be like our Dad. A good man, but we felt there were better ways. My kids have done well, they did it on their own, did they ask for a few things and advice because I unlike my Dad kept doors open. One is a bank VP, did it on her own, 2 girls are RN's, my oldest son is the plant manger for a major outdoor company and everyone here knows the name.
I am proud of all 6 of my kids, not because they have some title, nope I'm proud because they did it on their own, and they love their Mom and Dad. Dang the L (love) word snuck in there, don't know how that happened, I'm a real tough guy who don't use those kind of 4 letter words. Ha.
Texas Star, I hope the boat rights it's self for your family. Life is about the future, I seem to remember reading about Texas history and folks were all excited about going to Texas once upon a time. One fellow wrote a book based on letters to and from Texas written before they became a Republic, everyone was excited about the future.
I'm 66.5 years young. I retire in 30 days. I'm retiring to my farm, planting an orchard and vineyard, buying cows, chickens, oinkers, sheep and my bride of, well it's been decades, wants a Llama. I'm looking to the future, not over my shoulder at the past. Except for what we learned, the past is dead. My lights are pointed straight ahead, going to the farm in Kansas.