A Father's Day Present

Being a parent does have its rewards. I received this note some years ago from one of my children and though personal thought it should be shared with other parents that may be going through a hard time.

"Dad,
Happy Fathers Day!

There are so many things that you have taught me over the years and still do to this day.

I am so proud to have a father like you. I do my best to follow the examples you set. You are a great man with a heart of gold.

The most important things you have taught me is that family is everything and how to truly love.

You have always been there for me when I needed help or guidance even when I was not deserving of it; and that has taught me what true love/family is all about. So thank you for all you are and what you have taught me. I love you so much...you are my hero.

Signed ?"

So all you parents out there don't give up; you never know what good you may be doing even if it is not said right away.

Surprise! We are here to help.

About mid-afternoon there was a knock on the front door and I was saying to myself "who the heck could that be at this time?" Well low and behold it was my youngest son Phil, his wife Molly and their two sons Joe and Jim. I opened the door and said "hi! what up? and the spontaneous response from all four was "were here to help clean up the yard, cut grass and trim the trees and plants". Wow what a pleasant surprise...they decided to come on over and help just because they love us. This was totally spontaneous...we did not expect it. So my wife and I just realized that nice things do happen and sometimes when you least expect them. Thanks Phil, Molly, Joe and Jim...you are not only family but kind and nice people.

Family

Yesterday, Sunday, June 22nd we had a family get together at our home. The "we" consisted of my first and only wife of, going on 42 years, and me. The family consisted of four out of six adult children, their husbands and wives and their children (seven) and my daughter-in-law's mom and grand mom. Now that is leaving out two other adult children, their spouses and four other grand kids. We have been, so far, blessed with eleven grandchildren. We were celebrating a late Father's Day and two late birthdays and one birthday yet to come...we don't believe in wasting time, food or money. Actually its probably because we just don't want to have to clean the house four times...get all this partying over and just clean once and feed once. Getting old you sometimes get smarter.

During the course of the get together (organized family chaos-fun) I thought were did all the almost 65 years go since I was born....obviously I then realized that those 65 years were before my very eyes...an investment in marriage, family...love...relationships and something that you can't put into words but you feel in the very core of your being.

All the other things we, my wife and I did during the course of our lives were important but were ancillary to having a family, grand kids and hopefully great grand kids. That was my insight while I went to sleep totally exhausted that night. Pleasant dreams!