Happy Father's Day dad
By Staff
I grew up in a house where it was just my Dad, myself and a black lab named Doc.
I look back on all the things that were accomplished in that house and am amazed at how smoothly things seemed to run.
Sure, beneath the surface things may have been a little chaotic but from the vantage point of a pre-teen boy, it never seemed that way.
At any given time my Dad may have been working first, second or third shift, but he always made sure I got to school and from school.
When we got home, he cooked dinner; most of the time.
I remember a few Hot Pocket nights now and again.
He took care of all the household domestic duties like laundry, washing dishes and vacuuming. He also took care of the yard and the pool. He worked 40 hours per week and came home to work 40 or 50 more.
My Dad was the master at juggling big things without overlooking the little stuff.
Whenever I looked up from the batter's box at a little league game, he was there.
I could take a slow glance over the crowd from the free throw line and he would be there, too.
It would have been easy for him to skip out on some of that. I can't say I would have blamed him. As I moved into high school, I appreciated the fact he was there but I knew he deserved a break.
Being a single parent, my Dad had to be the good cop and the bad cop.
When I deserved a pat on the back, he gave me one. When I needed a kick in the butt, he gave me one of those, too. Over the last 27 years, I've had plenty of both.
He bought me my first truck and taught me how to drive it. He helped me fix it when I broke it and eventually he helped me sell it.
He taught me not to lie, cheat, plagiarize or steal; things grown men I know today still struggle with.
My Dad taught me that it's not how many times you get knocked down that matter. It's how many times you get up.
I learned a lot from my Dad and all of it has helped me in my efforts to be a good father to my daughter.
Today, a day set aside to honor our fathers and their efforts, it's high time to give one of the all-time greats – my Dad – his pat on the back.
Happy Father's Day.
