The Post-Father's Day Post

You know what's cool?  I put a lot of time and effort into this blog and I don't put time and effort into anything unless it matters.   When I ask myself why does this matter, the answer lies in the hope that this will become somewhat of a legacy for them, a testament to all the things they have done for me.

Good Lord, that sounds grandiose, but, I don't mean it that way.  Perhaps when they are older and see this archived or active on the web, they will be reminded that I cared, and I paid attention to them.


When I first got into the stay-at-home-dad gig I would tell people that I was "the stay-at-home-dad I never dreamed of being."  I thought that was funny then; way before I knew what I was getting into, way before I stopped telling folks I was a SAHD, way before I glimpsed the significance of the role I was now in.  The truth is I didn't know this was a role I could dream of, I pretty much thought I wouldn't have kids, but now, I can't imagine not.

I don't need a new grill or a new tractor, you don't need to surprise me with a new Martin, I don't need a new tie or Old Spice (I miss you, Dad) because, and this is importance, I get gifts everyday.  The gifts of tolerance and patience, play and spontaneity, love and admiration, joy and kindness.  I learn, through the process of teaching, the lessons I have forgotten about morality, ethics, sorrow, faith, manners, hope and the power of the truth.  All this stuff would not be so available to me, so to the forefront of my life, it it weren't for these boys.

When you talk to your children honestly and openly about this complicated mess we call life, you must consider it so clearly, present it so carefully, anticipate their responses so completely, that it brings to you a new understanding of the road we travel together.

Albert Einstein is purported to have said: 'If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough.'  I always took umbrage at that but now, I think I am beginning to understand what he was getting at.

So, that is my first Father's Day post, I hope their are many more to come and, I think there will be, because I think this matters.


Oh, I owe you an image or two or more, you know I can't do this without some sort of image:

This is from Z, it appears to be a drunken, juggling clown.  It is not painted on black velvet.  (Is this how I appear to him?  Am I a clown?  Why did I get this, he's knows I'm afraid of clowns?)

And there is this from N:

Obviously, the traditional mascot of Father's Day, the squid.  He's holding a creepy, pulsing heart in his slimy tentacles and is saying "Happy Father's Day."    Oooohkay...

Inside is the message:

"Dad you are the best.  you can fics (fix) enething (anything)."  My favorite part is the broken thing, the square with the missing piece.  Sure I can 'fics' that and, hopefully, everything else that might break along the way, hopefully...

Well, I'll try my best.

From Marci's '... things you don't expect to hear from the backseat..'  Honestly, Z said this playing Wii in the living room the other night.

"I am trying very hard to avoid the boobies."

I look up hurriedly from throwing ball with Nick (whack, right in the nose).  He's wakeboarding.

"That's called a buoy, Zack, not boobie, a buoy."

And that's the last time you'll ever say that sentence...