We salute you Dads, it isn't easy to be a Dad, sometimes it is not even fun, but you were there for us and we love you Dad!
"Always be prepared when you are out on the water!" Dad
"You are never too old to have fun!" Dad
"You've gotta have the right tool for the job! If not, improvise, make it work!" Dad
"You can't catch a fish if you don't have your line in the water!" Dad
"It always takes longer going out than coming back in!" Dad
If you are reading this Sunday morning, on Father's Day I ask that you stop reading, and either a) pick up the phone and call your Dad, or b) go into the kitchen and make those bacon and eggs he loves so much! Don't worry about putting a rose in a vase on the breakfast tray, that is what you do for Mom! Or if you are unable to speak to your Dad for whatever reason, I hope you will enjoy the following and think of him!
How can I not think of Dad on Father's Day without thinking of camping, hunting, fishing and all things outdoors? Sure Mom was there too, in her support capacity (in other words all the planning, the cooking, the packing, the giving direction and bug spray, sun screen, etc to us kids) but Dad, let's just think about him for a minute since this is his day!
- --Dad introduced me to pork rinds.
- --Dad introduced me to watermelon seed spitting.
- --Dad introduced me to sticking a sharp hook through a live wriggling worm, and he taught me to cast my line into the ripples of the stream.
- --Dad introduced me to patience, to sit in the hot sun in a boat for hours waiting for a bite or the end of my pole to move and then yell "FISH ON! SET THE HOOK! SET THE HOOK!"
- --Dad introduced me to the woods. To the tall trees, the deer, to the wild blackberries with thistles and thorns!
- --Dad introduced me to singing like noone could hear, or care, he used to belt out Hotel California as we headed out of the city to the mountains or desert on a long weekend.
- --Dad introduced me to getting sand on my feet and not having to wipe it all off before getting into the truck.
- --Dad showed me how to hit a ball with a bat and run like heck.
- --Dad showed me that ghost stories around a campfire surrounded by dark woods makes lifelong memories.
- --Dad showed me that making jiffy-pop over a crackling hot fire is the best way to enjoy popcorn.
- --Dad showed me how to ride a bike. How to fall, skin my knees and get back up on the bike, to never give up!
- --Dad showed me that watching spaghetti-westerns on TV with him is more fun than watching kid-shows.
- --Dad showed me that what appears to be the top of a mountain never is, so just keep climbing!
- --Dad taught me how to drive, unofficially of course, when Mom wasn't around.
- --Dad taught me to respect the outdoors, that it belongs to us, so we need to preserve it for future generations.
- --Dad showed me how to be tough, Ford tough, it's not so bad, just keep going!
- --Dad showed me to love Mom's cooking, as he was eager as always to dive into something home-made by Mom.
- --Dad showed me that laughing until your belly hurts is fun. That acting silly is an admirable trait!
- --Dad taught me you have to keep your line in the water to catch fish!
- --Dad taught me that with adventure and activity comes responsibility, to always clean your guns before and after you go hunting.
- --Dad showed me that you get up and go to work every day, no matter how you feel about it.
- --Dad showed me to appreciate an honest wage for a honest day's work.
- --Dad showed me to honor your family above all else, they are always there for you.
- --Dad taught me that it is okay to change your mind.
- --Dad taught me to get the best service in a diner to sit at the counter.
- --Dad taught me you only live once, to make the best of it, to live it up, to kick up your heels and have fun!
- --Dad taught me that being outdoors, to hunt and fish are not only a mans sports, but plenty of ladies enjoy them to!
My Dad is my hero. He stands ten feet tall. He has broad shoulders and a loving embrace and always has a goofy joke to tell me, this is why I treasure my Dad. Happy Father's Day Dad!
For all the Dads out there, who enjoy Virginia State Parks, who take their kids fishing, hiking, camping and telling them ghost stories around a campfire, we salute you! Keep up the good work, make those memories count.
