Father's day is tomorrow. I don't know about the rest of you, but I've had many "father" figures in my life, and as much of a Hallmark holiday as this event can be, it has me reflecting on the need for fathers.
My dad meant well, but wasn't around much for my childhood. I learned about hard work from him however. Still, we learn from people the things we are ready to learn when someone who can teach us is ready to teach. I learned how to accept people and all their quirks from my brother Michael. I always think of him on Father's day, and somehow feel he should be honored that day too. I learned from my Grandfather how to be silly- how to never let the inner child be put to rest by the serious adult- I can picture him at the age of 80, standing up in the back of my Suzuki Samuri, holding the roll bar and screaming at me to drive faster... I miss him. My Papa taught me what unconditional love looked like. So many men have given me parts of understanding, knowledge of the world and of myself. I guess this is my shout out to all of them... for better or worse, they've contributed to my journey.
We all do though, don't we? Whether the influence is positive or negative... whether we come away wishing to emulate a mentor or choose an opposite path, we've been effected. I don't think I remember that often enough. Each of us is part of the threads that make up the lives of others... kind of powerful.
So... thank you to: Dad, Grandpa, Papa, Michael, Uncle Greg, Mark, Robert, Chuck, Jim, Scott, David, Richie, Dan, Howard, Bill, Curley, John, Jeff, Gordon, Gary, Mike, Tom, Ken, Steven, Shaun, Derk, Joe, Josh... but most of all, thank you Rob... Happy Father's day... to everyone who is a father, or has taught what a father should teach...You've helped dragonflies learn to ride the breeze.
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