It’s kind of like the memories I had of when I was growing up. I recall my mom saying things like “I’m going to tell your father!” every time we did something that she did not approve of. The same thing sort of happens here at my house. My wife can definitely keep things in line, after all, I follow her rules all of the time as well. But throughout the year, when the requests for certain things go beyond the comfort level, Dad is the one that has to decide that they cannot get the thing they want. That they should not be allowed to go out or stay up past a certain time. That it is “up to your father” to determine if he is going to be your cool friend or the guy that makes sure you have no fun.
So this year, just like every year on Father’s day, my wife makes it an effort to make sure that my boys show their appreciation by getting up early to make me breakfast. They got up at 6AM to start preparing eggs, bacon, coffee, pouring the orange juice, setting the table, wrapping the gift and writing the cards. Normally on a Sunday morning, I get up about 7AM, to get Nick up so that he can get ready to go to church. He plays his guitar in the choir and has to be there around 8-8:15AM. So I get up, fight with him to make sure he gets up, and we are out of the door as quickly as possible.
This morning Luisa woke up the kids and left me sleeping in bed. After all, it’s Father’s day. Let him sleep!
At 6:45, Dan puts his hand on my shoulder to wake me up for breakfast. It immediately reminded me of when he used to come into my bedroom at the middle of the night, cause he had to go to the bathroom and somehow could not see it, as he passed by it, on the way to my room. As I come down the stairs, I get the strong whiff of the bacon, which as it turns out, was prepared by my wife.
She blurts out, “Happy Father’s day honey!”, “We let you sleep!”. To which my response was, “hon, I normally get up at 7AM on Sundays.” “Oh.” she responded.
I sat down, had my breakfast with everybody after Dan said Grace, and then opened my cards and gift. It was great and very much appreciated and very delicious.
They scramble to get ready for church, with one last commandment from Luisa, “Nick go get the newspaper for Dad”. Something I normally do myself on a regular Sunday morning.
We take off to go to church and when we come back, the boys have had this plan, all along, to either take me fishing or to go for a walk on this new trail down in Greenville.
When we get back, Dan asks, “OK Dad, what do you want to do?”. Honestly, both of those sounded great, but so did just staying home, to relax. I’ve had some long weeks at work and that sounds great as well. But, it’s father’s day. We need to do what Dad likes to do, and both of those things are his favorite things to do.
So we head downtown, about 11:30am, and take a hike that is about 2 miles long each way. It’s hot, but flat and a really nice walk. However, I am beat.
This is what I looked like at the end of my hike.
They of course, looked nothing like that.
Here is the Map of where we went. Back and forth, by the way.
View Fathers Day Hike Swamp Rabbit Trail in a larger map
So we head out to get some sushi and rice bowls. But I don’t feel good about going out with Luisa, so we decided on some smoothies.
We get home, and I am just exhausted. Wanting to just go to sleep. As I write this, everybody else is sleeping taking a nap, because of all of the effort put into “Father’s Day”.
Funny thing, is that for Mother’s day, when I ask Luisa what she wants, it is the same thing. Give me some time alone. I don’t want to see anybody or do anything. I need “a break”. Understandable considering that she is with them all of the time. BTW, did I mention I am exhausted?
All kidding aside, being a father is not something that should require thanks. It is an honor, and something that you should do as a selfless act, to help children grow up understanding the values you can instill in them. Such as being a dedicated husband, a great friend, a dedicated worker, an honest person with strong character, will and determination to do what is right in this world. Someone you can have fun with, create special memories and learn from. Someone your children can turn to in times of despair and need. Someone who inspires the best in you, to make them proud. Someone who is there for more than just providing shelter and food. I am a Father, for those reasons and many more. And for that, I am grateful, thankful and blessed to be a father.
Happy Father’s Day to all of the fathers who have truly figured out the reasons for this day.
