Happy Father's Day, Dad

It’s Father’s Day this Sunday and I am looking forward to celebrating my Dad.  We’ll gather at my brother & sister-in-law’s house, have a yummy meal, sit around slinging bullsh** and my brother and I will probably bicker. (That’s almost a given.)  My boys will be there along with my niece, and the kids will argue, fight, play video games and get yelled at for something. Tim’s dogs will be rambunctious, lick everyone in the face and steal food.  My Dad will sit back in the recliner after eating and watch it all going on with a smirk-like grin on his face.  I can only imagine what he’s thinking. Probably something like “payback is hell”… I know he’ll enjoy it.

I’m so lucky to have been able to grow up with a Dad like mine.  We were a single-parent family from the time I was 13, and that single parent was my DAD.   He’s a Dad that sticks by his kids. Sure, we can do wrong and often did, but he has always been there with whatever it is that we need.  I seek his advice often now that I’m encroaching on 40.  And his advice is always good.  He KNOWS stuff.  Why didn’t I realize that when I was 16, or 20, or 28 for goodness sake?

Some of the things my Dad taught me:

1. Blood is thicker than water and family is family.  You do anything for your family and they will do anything for you.  This is a generations-long tradition with the Masons.  Even now, I know if i commit some felony and have to leave the state, I’d have shelter with one of my Mason cousins. And there are a bunch of them.  As “interesting” as my relationship is with my brother, I call and he’s there. It works both ways.

2. Think for yourself.  Sure, LEARN from teachers, books, TV, church, mentors, friends, etc. Learning is good. But you must think about what you’ve learned and make your own decisions.  Don’t believe everything you read or hear. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.  Dad quotes Occam's Razor - All else being equal, the simplest answer is most likely the right one. Of course, that’s paraphrased, but you get the idea.

3. Be independent.  As a girl, my Dad taught me that I shouldn’t be dependent on some man for my happiness, financial support or to change a flat tire.  He made me take a perfectly good tire off my 1976 Honda Civic and then put it back on. By myself.  I did it, and I can still do it.  I know how to wield a screwdriver, a power drill and a socket wrench. I can also support myself financially. I work, make a decent salary and know how to balance my checkbook.  I’d probably make more money now if I’d listened to my Dad when I was 20. I was pretty head-strong then and made my own decisions. I learned Rule #2 a little too well, maybe.      

My Dad taught me a bunch more things, but I think these are the top 3.  Thanks, Dad, for being who you are and for raising me to value family ties, think for myself and stand on my own two feet. You are a great Dad!  I love you and I still need you, though, so pick up the phone when I call!  Happy Father’s Day!!