Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all fathers out there. I know I love mine and learn so much from him. What a role model he has always been, and continues to be, for me. Rarely judgmental, always supportive, never without love. I hope I am using all of those traits to the benefit of my own children. So thank you to my beautiful and supportive wife for our three beautiful daughters. Without you all, I would have no reason to celebrate this day for myself. It is family which makes Father's day such a special occasion. I'm also finding it's becoming a day of reflection for me. I remember 4 years ago holding my oldest daughter in my arms under a huge maple tree in our front yard as we posed for my very first Father's day picture. Now, with three of the most precious children a man could ask for, I find this day becoming more introspective so I can figure out how I have done as a father over the past year and how I can be a better father during the next year.

I have discovered that over the past year, I have worked too much. I have missed many opportunities to do family events on the weekends in pursuit of the dollar to help provide for my family. I have not taken care of myself very well regarding exercise. I have not done a very good job financially for my family. I make an honest and well paid living, yet I provide little guidance and financial leadership for my family. I have played hard with my family and love them dearly. I have been quick to temper at the end of a long day but also quick to hold when a knee is scraped from a fall. I am the piggy back ride giver, airplane-tosser-in-the-bed provider, bad boo-boo fixer-upper, broken toy healer, good-night tickler, and Saturday morning cartoon watching sit-in-your-lap-daddy holder. I tuck them back under their covers several times throughout the night as I whisper "good night my big girl princesses" in their ears. I hope that they dream big and live bigger. I hope that I am the example they can look to as a role model just as I continue to look to my father on a daily basis.

I hope in the next year to work less-hard, provide more, love more, and take advantage of the weekends with my family. This past week we took our annual family vacation to the beach and I got to see my older children play together like they never have. Splashing in the water and running on the beach, they danced a dance that only two siblings close in age can experience - laughing and giggling with each other and communicating without talking. It immediately brought me back to when me and my older sister played like we were Eskimos and packed dirt into old Glad sandwich bags to use as deer meat during hard cold winters. I also remembered making leaf houses in the back yard and accidentally smacking her in the face with a shovel the day before she was to be in a wedding. I also winced at the remembrance of the pain caused by my best friend, Matthew, as he drove a garden hoe through the top of my foot because I had hurt the girl with whom he was in love even though she was 4 years older. Flashing forward back to the present time, my girls are developing the same close relationship with each other. As they sit on the couch watching Scooby Doo, they periodically just look at each other and start cracking up.

So in retrospect, this past year has gone very well. It's a crazy life living with a house full of four independent red-headed women. I love it and wouldn't want it any other way. I have learned how to be a good father over the past year and have things to work on during the next year to continue my growth as a father. So here's a toast to all fathers out there! Enjoy this day with your family and thank God for the blessings He has bestowed upon you.