It's Father's Day. We're inundated with the stereotypical Father's Day clichés - the tie cake, the barbecue, a set of hand tools, etc., as though being a dad were limited to going to the office, grilling the occasional steak, or fixing some random broken object. We're treated to images of buffoonery on television and in the movies, the dad being a bumbling fool who can't seem to do anything right; having to be rescued time and time again by the wife, kids, or random passers-by.
We're the last "safe" group to pick on, because we're dads.
Our job is to provide, to protect, to teach, and to guide. That's what we do. We make sure our kids have the tools to survive out in the real world - how to build a campfire, how to change a flat tire, how to throw a football. But more than that, we teach our kids by example - by stepping up and becoming Scout leaders; by coaching Little League, soccer, or basketball; by getting up each and every day and dragging ourselves to a job when we'd much rather stay home with our kids (lucky SOBs like Marko or David notwithstanding...).
We go out and do, because that's our job.
Oh, sure, sometimes the kids drive us crazy; sometimes we're tempted to tell the boss off and walk out the door; sometimes we'd like nothing more than to get in our cars and start driving until the everyday problems disappear in the rearview mirror. But those thoughts disappear when we walk through the door at the end of the day to hear "Hi Daddy!" - every second spent on the phone with a dissatisfied client, or under the hood of a malfunctioning automobile, or swinging a hammer in a new subdivision is worth it. Knowing that you're helping to raise your child to be happy, healthy, productive members of society is its own reward - getting hugs and kisses along the way is the icing on the cake.
Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there - and all the moms who fulfill the role of Dad, too.
That is all.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
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7 comments:
So very well said, Jay.
Happy Father's Day!
I am a lucky SOB, no doubt about that. ;-)
Happy Father's Day, Jay!
From one Pater Familias to another, have a Happy Father's Day.
A lot of guys can father a child, but not everybody is up to the task. It may be a thankless job, but you've certainly stepped up to the plate for your kids. Nice job.
Happy Father's Day, Jay!
Time for some range time!
This is so beautifully written, and I especially want to thank you for remember us women who raised our children alone. Your description of the "bumbling dads" portrayed in the media has irked me for many years. The fact that so many children grow up with no father is one of the reasons our world is in such bad condition. Some men have never had a good male role model so the chain of fatherless pain is never broken. Although my son grew up without any contact with his father, and I never remarried, my son has turned into an amazing dad. He honored me by saying that my deep capacity to love him unconditionally taught him to love his sweet little girl in the same way. Happy Father's Day to all of us who have done our best.
Happy Father's Day, Jay!
My little guy was born shortly after I got laid off from my tech job. He is 17 mo now and I would not trade the time I have spent with him for anything. Lucky for us we spend on one income, so it has been good money wise. Hell, we even bought the new homestead on one income.
I work contract jobs now and then, and am ramping up my knife sheath making business and blacksmithing skills.
If you can stay home more with the mini's, I highly recommend it.
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