Father's Day Tribute

As we celebrate Father’s Day, let it be known that for the lucky ones, we have a dad that fills our life with what he is and was - and also what he isn’t and wasn’t…

Most of have the perception that dad’s are the ‘ultimate’ protectors, leaders, recreational directors…and have ‘all the answers!’ So our good or not so good perceptions of our dads often come from a belief system that may be hard to live up to. As we grow up in our own unique set of circumstances, this idea creates the dad that has to balance us.

My dad lived in the moment, for the moment and was the moment!

Though he never used those words, he taught me to bloom where I was planted. He modeled this by being okay doing whatever it was he was doing at he moment. My dad was Jeffy from the Family Circus cartoon. It was comical to imagine his trail all over the house, yard, and neighbors’ yards.

My dad could bring out the laughter in anyone. You basically had to laugh, because he relentlessly pursued a response until you gave in. He would repurpose life with his absurdities and sayings.

To me, my Dad was just love. We all have our “way” that makes us absolutely incorrigible at times, but what is important is that the light of love shines through the rest and becomes our essence. My Dad’s essence was love. He was a grandfather to my children, as they looked forward to his antics every chance they got, by phone or spending time with him...they always longed for more, and shared the stories and Grandpa-isms in between.

My Dad was also a friend, and we shared many years running mindless errands, and then scouring Western New York for ice cream places throughout his seventies.

As he aged, he mellowed like the finest wine or cheese. He became more allowing as the parent/child role changed with age and he was the one being cared for. You could do things for him and he was accepting and grateful, as the pride turned to humility. Grandma gave him manners, and I would smile inside every time my Dad gently responded with ‘yes please, thank you, or no thanks.’

So, whatever memory, perception, or insight you are thinking of now about your dad, may it be warm, loving, and make you smile with each forward thought of him as you reflect. May blessings be upon you if you grew up without a dad, or if your perceptions of him did not match the ‘ultimate.’ May blessings be upon you to forgive the way that your dad may have grown up, and perhaps was simply not shown the love he needed to pass on to his family.

...always be the love you are called to be