Dads

Father's Day is lurking around the corner and the purveyors of all things manly are ready to serve up the goods. Grilling tools, team logo caps, number one dad mugs and power tools promise to please the dads in our lives. Hallmark card verses range from the wacky to the sentimental to the musical. Grocery stores have plenty of steaks and burgers ready for backyard picnic gatherings.

Dads are indeed special. I witnessed two events within the past few weeks that reminded me of the unique flavor fathers add to a family unit. One happened on Mother's Day. I was hustling into the grocery store to pick up a few last minute items when I saw a young dad juggling a bouquet of flowers and a box of donuts. Trotting a few tiny steps behind his daddy was a little guy who knew they were about to cross the traffic lane in the parking lot. He looked up at his dad and realized there were no hands left for his safety tether. Without missing a beat, his dad quickly commanded, "Grab my pocket and stay close to me."  The boy immediately tucked his little hand into his daddy's pocket and they safely maneuvered their way to their vehicle. A mom in a similar situation would probably have the young tyke in the shopping cart so the child and the purchased items are all contained in one moving cage. Both methods achieve the same goal, safe transportation. The dad method had the element of risky trust in its execution, but dads know how to pull that off.

The second event also happened in the grocery store. (Yes, my social life revolves around grocery shopping.) A young mom was wrestling an oversized cart filled with two little girls and a few groceries. It was late afternoon and clearly, the girls had reached their patience limit, mom included. Suddenly, a gentleman came toward them, pushing an empty cart at a fairly good clip and nudged into the girls' cart. I expected to witness a mini-drama when I heard both girls giggling and squealing with delight, "Daddy!" Only a father can get away with playing bumper cars with a shopping cart. I watched the tension ease away from one exasperated mother as two little girls reached out for their dad. Dad took over so mom could shop in peace.

Not all of us have a dad for Father's Day. My own father passed away several years ago and I still have flashbacks of moments spent together. There were six siblings in competition for his attention but we never for a second doubted his love and loyalty to each one of us. He worked incredibly hard and faced health and business challenges without complaint to his children. His faith in God was evident in all he did and his motto each day (especially after receiving open heart surgery) was, "God has blessed me with another new day on earth."

Thank a dad this month, whether your own or the guy playing bumper carts at the grocery store. Fathers can make little kids giggle while moms are reminding them to "be careful."  Dads know how to walk on the wild side and still cross the street safely.

Thanks, Dad.