Happy Fathers Day
June 19, 2015
One of my favorite mentors is fond of saying, “I’m a male by birth and a man by choice.” I know I join him in my gratitude and my joy in being a man. Today we celebrate and honor those men who epitomize manhood for us: Our fathers. Like most of yours, my father is not a household name. He’s not a sports hero or a political statesman. I’m not aware of any records he holds. Other than perhaps falling asleep the fastest on the couch when watching TV. Or maybe snoring the loudest when we went camping. When I was a youngster, I thought Dad had the biggest muscles, the strongest grip and the smartest head. Time and exposure to the larger world of adulthood have proven my earlier opinions to be somewhat exaggerated.
And yet, Dad DOES hold an unwritten record. It’s the record in my heart. That fleshy record book reminds me of the true superlatives that belong to my dad and to yours as well.
1. Dad taught me the greatest lessons about love. He loved my mother and my siblings. Sure, he said he loved us, but Dad demonstrated love. I’ve known my Dad to go to work when he was sick with the same illness I used as an excuse to stay home from school. I’ve known Dad to work overtime and to find second jobs. All to help pay for my private schooling, our family vacations and Christmas gifts, or just to pay bills.
A public speaker friend of mine told how his dad had built a remarkably successful real estate business. Then his mother became gravely ill. His dad was forced to sell the business at a great loss in order to devote his time to caring for his wife. The son asked his father if he ever regretted giving up his dreams. The father replied, “Sure, I miss my business, but no, I have no regrets. One thing is certain though, your mother knows that I love her. And I can live with myself knowing she does.” How many of us have dads who have demonstrated their love with calloused hands, tired backs, sore muscles or weary minds?!
2. Dad taught me the privilege and responsibilities of being a man. In this upside down, topsy-turvy world of sensationalism, we are bombarded with the “important” news of certain male celebrities who “out” their supposedly suppressed feelings of being a woman inside and have gone through the operations to better expose their inner womanhood. On this Fathers’ Day I want to thank my dad. Thank him for wanting to be the man he is and for teaching me the joys and responsibilities of being a man.
I’m not sure why those who have inner frustrations feel the need to sensationalize their story except for exhibitionism or self-serving hubris or greed, but my manly father has never sought to exhibit his self-assurance, his contentment and his quiet strength. On this Fathers’ Day, let’s exalt those men who are truly men indeed and who cast a powerful mold for their sons to follow and their families to feel safe and loved.
Sure, there are many in this country and throughout the world that may want to disparage their fathers. Fathers who abandoned them, abused them, or neglected them. But in this age of “victimitis” and social media and 24/7 cable news, sometimes I feel like the only news that matters is the abnormal, bizarre, outlandish or salacious stories. I for one want to praise ands honor those dads who are faithful, hard-working, loving men who never get their 15-minutes of fame or will never have or want or need their own reality TV show.
I thank God for the men who would rather take their sons and daughters hunting or fishing or to a sporting event or attend their child’s recital or BBQ in the back yard and spend a free night with their families. These men are the backbone of this nation, the men who quietly go about being good dads without tooting their own horns. That’s my dad, and for the majority of you reading this, that’s your dad too.
3. Lastly, I want to go on record thanking my dad and all dads who taught us how to work. You are reading this blog and those of you who follow my web page do so for one reason only. I have a dad who taught me the pleasure and the rewards of hard work. Dad didn’t teach me how to be rich. He taught me something better. To enjoy the labor, the joy of good team work, the rewards of knowing you did your best. I have applied that to my real estate business and am seeing a hundred-fold greater blessing than I dreamed possible. But it all goes back to a manly man who showed by example and taught me the righteous value of hard work.
Three cheers for those men in our lives we call father. And three cheers for men everywhere who bear their manhood with distinction and honor. Happy Father’s Day, Dads. You are the greatest!
