Happy Father’s Day!

Happy Father’s Day to all you dads! 

This is a good day to reflect on the child/children you helped bring into the world. Hopefully they will make this a better place for all us.

One of the most vivid memories I have of Father’s Day involves my youngest son, Nicholas. I got up early that morning to work on my deck.  I had stopped for a short break and had a CD of various song on the boombox when the beautiful song “Return to Pooh Corner” by Kenny Loggins started playing.  I sipped my coffee and really listened to the lyrics for the first time.

One stanza especially hit home:

It´s hard to explain how a few precious things

Seem to follow throughout all our lives

After all's said and done I was watching my son

Sleeping there with my bear by his side

So I tucked him in, I kissed him and as I was going

I swear that old bear whispered, 'boy, welcome home'

After finishing my coffee, I resumed working on the deck and a few minutes later I heard a noise and turned to find Nick standing there holding my drill. I’m not sure if he wanted to help or just hand me the tool. He put the drill down, ran back inside and then returned with a Father’s Day card. After wishing me Happy Father’s day he disappeared again, probably looking for some breakfast.  As I read the card and the messages he and my older son Ben had written, I couldn’t help but think of the Pooh song so I played it again and to this day, it is one of my favs. Because it’s a beautiful song that is forever attached to a special memory. Too often as my sons grew, I let moments like that slip away because I was busy working, doing things around the house or something. Only years later did I realize that I had missed moments that cannot be recaptured. I wish I would have heeded the advice from my mother, older peers and friends who frequently told a young father (me) not to get so busy that I would miss my sons growing up. Because like all children, they did grow up. That is why the special moments I DID share have stayed with me all these years, especially the one I just recalled.  

I hope all fathers have special memories of their children. I have known some fathers who have strained relationships with their children. I really feel bad for them and hope they can eventually resolve their differences and experience and enjoy that special bond between father and son/daughter. It really is priceless.

Happy Father’s Day!