'Dad, I can't do it!'

'Yes, you can.  Just hold yourself straight in the saddle, and I'll keep hold of the back and you start to pedal.  I won't let you fall.'

Of course, I did fall, many times, before I gained enough confidence to ride my first two wheeler bike, but Dad was always there to kiss it better and encourage me to try again.  Not just Dad, but My Dad, in capital letters, in quotation marks, and always in my heart.

He was there throughout my life, guiding and guarding me.  Without him, I would never have gone on, years later, to compete not once but twice in the Tour de France, and though I didn't win, he made me feel that third place was the best place in the world to be.

'Dad, I can't do it!'

'Yes, you can.  Just let go of the side and splash towards me.  I'll be right here, I won't let you drown.'  My swimming teacher couldn't talk me into doing that, but My Dad could, and I gloried in his pride when I won my first swimming certificate.  It was into My Dad's arms that I made my first fearful jump from the edge of the swimming pool, and I was never again afraid of the water.

'Dad, I can't do it!'

'Yes, you can.  Just take a deep breath and turn and watch Kelly walking up the aisle towards you.  You've said many times that you can't live without her.'  My Dad eased my pre-wedding jitters, and stood by my side, as My Dad became my best man on the day I married the woman who was to become my life's partner.

'Dad, I can't do it!

'Yes, you can.  Kelly needs you there to help her bring your son into the world.  And you'll never forgive yourself if you miss this.'  As always, My Dad was right, and my heart filled with pride as I helped my beloved wife turn My Dad into a grandfather.

'Dad, I can't do it!'

'Yes, you can.  Now it's your turn to help me.  I'm an old man, and I can't do it without you, my son.'  And I stood by his side and supported him as we buried my mother on that cold windy day.