Happy Father's Day to Me

It's Father's Day, and I have no kids here. Ironic, isn't it? Almost like a black fly in your chardonnay. Or even a death row pardon two minutes too late. Don't you think? (Okay, I'm done with Alanis Morrisette....for know) But seriously, I spend my days and nights caring for 5 kids, it's the one day that Hallmark says is 'Father's Day', and I'm here picking dust balls off of Izzy. But only a small part of me wants to sit here and feel sorry for myself. You see, I'm strong enough and smart enough to realize that these sort of things happen. Situations and circumstances always pop up to where you never get to spend as much time with your kids as you'd like. Whether it's going out of town for work, or missing one kids game because you're at another one's practice, or sending them to Louisiana to spend some much needed time with their grandparents. Etc, etc. Or maybe you miss out on your kids games because you work every weekend for 25 years straight, and you come home smelling like seafood at night, working a job that you hate so that your kids can play those sports and have those opportunities. I realize that these things happen because my dad taught me that. And you know what else he taught me? He taught me that it's not about me. And it's never gonna be about me. He taught me that the kids come first, no matter what. And that his wife comes a close second. No questions asked. He taught me that even when your wife is dead wrong, (not that you're ever wrong, Rach. I'm just sayin.....) do what she says anyway. Life will be easier, and you'll be much happier. He taught me that alcohol was no match for the love he had for us. That the genetically passed on disease stopped at him. He taught me how to stand by your kids when they're making bad decisions; getting arrested, drinking too much, making bad decisions. They'll eventually they'll come around. Just show them that you'll always be there. He taught me that you lead by your actions, not just your words. Be an example. He even taught me that it's okay not to be perfect, but you don't try for anything less. He taught me to the importance of being nice to people. To everyone. Not just the people that you like, or the people that can do something for you, but everyone. Treat people the way that you want to be treated. He taught me all of these things, and he's still teaching. Because one day when I'm a grandparent, I'll be learning grandparent skills from the way that he's doing things now. Yep, it's Father's Day, and I have no kids here today. But it's okay, the kids are all spending time with their grandparents, and they're all having fun. Besides, I've got the rest of my life to be there for them, and to teach them all the things that my dad has taught me. And by living off of his example, it's not about me anyway.





Thanks Dad. I love you.