Happy Father's Day to all the Dads out there!

Today it the day when your children trade roles and do for you for a change. When they give you silly ties, or quirky tools, or any host of things you will almost never use (and might not even want to be seen with) but would never dream of getting rid of.

I hope you all take my advice and just enjoy the day. I won't be, at least in the AM. Too many projects to complete with a time crunch coming up hard on one of them. But I will be quitting early. So, if you must do this or that do it in the morning and then use the afternoon to enjoy time with your family. It's a Dad thing (actually an adult thing) to put responsibilities before fun. I don't really have that done yet but I am getting better at it.

For those like me where this holiday has become a bit more difficult because of the loss of your own Father. It can be difficult, but it does not have to be. What better way to spend Father's day then telling your favorite stories about your Dad to your family and friends?

in my case there are so many good ones that I could spend weeks telling them all. But I would like to share one here.

My father was the kind of man who pulled no punches. He said what he meant and he meant what he said. He frequently came across as mean or uncaring to those who did not know him well. The truth of it was, he was just trying to help you out, but was not very good at being politick about it.

One such time was when my Father was visiting my family and I at our home. He had helped me rewire the house, install cabinets, and much, much more. There is alit of my Father's sweat in here (as well as my own). Well, while here, the coffee pot died. Having two former Navy men in the house this was simply unacceptable! Well, I was tired of buying cheap pots and always having problems (2-4 pots a day are brewed in my coffee pot). So that day I went out and found THE coffee pot. It had every feature I ever wanted, it looked great and it had a really good manufacturer's warranty. I was proud of this pot (For the record that pot is still going strong 5 years later ).

When I got home my Dad saw that pot and thought I was nuts spending that kind of money on one, and he told me so in no uncertain terms. I was a little ticked off by that, but hey, it was Dad and that is his way. So I hooked up the pot, made some coffee and all was good. However, Dad thought I made a mistake. Since the water was filled on the right of the pot and the the pot should be put on the left of the sink to make it easier to fill up with the facet hose in the morning. The old pot filled on the left and was to the right of the sink, so I just put the new on in the same place. Man this ticked me off! My father doesn't even think I can handle putting a coffee pot on the counter and plugging it in!!

Dad brought this up almost everyday for the next 4-5 days they were there. I was having none of it. This is my house, my coffee pot and I will put it where I want it, period. At some point Dad finally got the idea and dropped it (though the looks at the pot and the head shakes persisted). Looking back, I find it comical that I took this issue to heart. I guess it was just a male territory thing. I was a new Husband and Father, and this was my house. And here comes my Dad, trying to urinate all over my markings! Or at least, that is how I seemed to take it.

Well Mom and Dad left for home. Not even an hour later I went to the kitchen and moved the coffee pot to the other side of the sink and rearranged a few things on the counter to make it all work. I was tired of struggling with the faucet hose when I wanted to fill the pot, but there was NO WAY I was gonna give Dad the satisfaction of moving it before he left! My wife found the whole thing hilarious.

The Next visit, I caught a covert nod and smile from him to my Mom when he noticed where the pot was. Remembering how my Dad once threw his parents out of the house because he felt his Mother was belittling his wife I wonder if he put it together and realized I was being territorial. This is MY Pack and MY den you know!

I Miss my Dad, I miss his quirks and his insights, his character and his skill, his hugs and his funny looks and sayings ("don't worry son, it will feel better as soon as it quits hurting"). Thanks for it all Dad, it shaped me into who I am, and now my wife and my daughter is slowly shaping me into who I want to be next. Heres a Tribute to my Dad that I wrote earlier in the year.

But, now I am a Dad. And I have my own role to play with my family. I certainly have my quirks, and a few funny sayings (Daughter crying: Daddy!!! my feet are dirty!!!; Me: Oh no! guess we have to goto the hospital and get a shot!; Daughter: silence.; Me: quite chuckle before wife's shoe hits). As for Insights and character, well, what can I say, I am working on that. Skills, I have a few, but I REALLY wish I had paid closer attention to Dad when I was younger. Hugs, now THAT I have down!! And I look funny 24/7.

All I can do, is the best I can at trying to be a strong, good influence, a guide, and as needed, a disciplinarian for my daughter in the hopes that all this work gives the world another solid citizen with something to contribute.

Well now, that went alit longer the I would have expected. Me, long-winded, who knew!

Happy Father's Day Dads!

Who else has a story to add?



Edited to add:

Well so much for getting a project done this morning. All I have done so far is help my daughter with writing her name, visit with my family and post here. Oh well, I took Monday and Tuesday off for a reason, so it will all get done.