Father’s Day – Best Day of The Year
So today was Father’s Day – that one day in the year where fathers can lounge around the house doing nothing . . . and no one’s going to get on their case about it.
For this year’s festivities, my kids decided that they wanted the whole family to go bowling – sounds fairly innocent enough. However, once we got there, all of them, including my wife, were having the most fun seeing how much I stunk compared to them in playing this game (note to self – in bowling, the object is not to toss the ball like one would in shot put). Ah, yes, there’s no better way to better way to celebrate fatherhood than to have your kids cheering their whooping your permanent vertical smile in a game of bowling.
Of course, anyone who’s a parent can relate to this tale with a smile on their face because the truth is, one of the joys of being a parent is watching your child grow from looking at everything you do as being proof that you’re a secret super-hero to having a sense of pride in themselves that they bested their parents in something. You just can’t help but smile when they walk around with that sense of self-satisfaction after they hand you what used to be your A-game to you on a platter. That’s what being a parent does to you.
By the end of the day, one of my kids asked me if this was my best Father’s day ever (it’s always funny to see how a child’s yardstick goes from “good” to “best ever”. No wiggle room there). I answered it was and I was being truthful because it was the best ever. Not because of the presents they made for me in arts and crafts class, or because of the nice restaurant we went out to for dinner, or even because I did manage to win one round of bowling (Ha!). No, this one was the best ever because I got to enjoy how much they’ve grown and learned in the year since last Father’s Day. I’ve seen the changes in them as they continue down that path toward being their own, self-sufficient person. And it reminded me of what it is we were celebrating today. Sure, for them, this was a day to show me how much they love having me as their father. But for me, it reminded me that because of them, I’m a dad. Can you think of a better gift than that?
So, yes, this was the best Father’s day – ever. But I have a suspicion next year when one of my kids invariably asks me this very same question, I’ll give the same answer I gave today because the reason behind it is still there.
Oh and kids – thanks for not only a wonderful day, but for reminding me how lucky I am to be your Papa.
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