"I think we all filled up the empty places and healed the wounds he had from his lonely childhood. He did his best, in his own quiet way to be kind, patient, and understanding to all of us and gave us so much of his time and energy, and has always been as much a best friend to us as a father." You just described my father in a nutshell. What a beautiful way to put it. I think us as kids are definitely balms to his wounds. I really appreciate you sharing your dad's experiences, he sounds truly lovely. "His way of speaking was just normal to us". THIS 100%