Happy Father's Day

Today we celebrate those men among us who chose to procreate. Every one of us has a father, but the lucky among us call him Dad.

For me the difference is easy to define, a father makes a baby and thinks his work is done; a dad helps to raise the child he’s made and is there to watch that child grow. He spends the next 18 years helping to protect, mold and shape his child into a responsible adult. He continues to advise his child and help in whatever way he can, long after the child has become a woman or a man. A dad’s commitment is for life. Not an easy job, but one I highly recommend.

I’m a lucky guy; I have my dad, who perfected the art, and the dad who took me into his family when I married his only daughter almost 30 years ago.

No one had to teach me how to be a dad; I spent 18 years watching an artist at work. As I look back, I am amazed at how dad juggled everything he did. I know at one time he worked three jobs and still found time to coach baseball and help with homework. Summer trips to damn near every state park that existed; sometimes before they actually did. He managed vacations to Florida, Baltimore, and D.C., a lifetime of memories that reside within me. We saw every small town in central Illinois, if they had a softball diamond and a team to play. Watching dad play softball in all of these towns was how summer weekends were spent; dad was the catcher, and man could he hit. He’s helped to raise his grandchildren and now great-grandchildren are here, and dad is still teaching me, mine, and theirs.

Now we look at dad number two, who for 30 years of my life, has been there for me too. The childhood memories are not part of this dad, but his counsel and advice have left an indelible mark on a large part of my adult life, as well as my heart. Like dad number one, he raised three children the best that he could. All became the adults that he knew that they would. The job that he did is obvious to me; I’ve spent 30 years with his daughter as my wife, a woman with morals and values, who knows how to live life. Like dad number one, he’s still teaching life’s lessons to me, mine, and theirs, a commitment they continue year after year.

So, to both of my dads, I’d like to say; “Here’s wishing you both, a Great Father’s Day!” 

I should point out that both have wonderful wives, who helped to raise us as well. I was gone over Mother’s day, their blog was not written. I would be remiss not to mention the moms’ contribution, but its Father’s Day, so they both get an honorable mention.

Love you all!