June 2017

School is out baby! Sissy is now a 3rd grader!!!!

So crazy I remember when she was younger than Evan, man time flies.

Another month packed to the gills with activities, events, and everyday life. This month we celebrated Father’s Day; so I thought I would write a little bit about that and what it all means to me. By the way I recently got back into golfing after about a 22 year hiatus and boy it’s a lot of fun. Very relaxing and addicting too, so for Father’s Day Brenda and the kids bot me official golf shirts shorts and even a belt; watch out lol. They were great gifts the handmade book “Dad can do anything” was my favorite though, each page had a story and a drawing all done by Maddie Bear. Those gifts are always the best; the handmade cards, the coffee mugs with little feet or hands stamped on it, the school Father’s Day projects. Golf Clothes can’t hold a candle to them and long after those shirts are gone ill still remember the book and touching crafts.

A little background  on Father’s Day https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Father%27s_Day#Failed_attempts_at_establishing_a_Father.27s_Day

Father what does that even mean? Being a blended family I sometimes ask myself that question am I a dad, Father, just some dude lol. One of Maddie friends called me Madeline’s regular dad; I like that. The guy who’s always around, I’m a regular; consistent, constant reliable. And turns out I’m pretty good at it and of course not just with Madeline, Evan too J and so is my brother. So I ask myself why, with a father in and out of our lives constantly how did we develop this talent (seems like a good descriptor)? Was it all of the parenting books I read? Maybe. Was it the Marines? Probably had something to do with it. Was it learning what not to do? Also helped out I’m sure. Was it watching Grandpa? He always and I mean always knew the right thing to do, the right way to handle a situation good bad or otherwise and he was a step parent to my mom. Something I always admired because I didn’t know it; not until I was about 17 did I realize that; he never treated my Mom or Eric and I any different. That certainly stuck with me.  I supposed it a combination of all that I mentioned and more, the little observations of parents in life doing great and not so great learning from others wins and mistakes; even if they are strangers.

One thing that I know is that this is what I wanted; I always wanted to be a dad to raise, teach and love a little. To support, look after and comfort kids, I love kids; maybe because I’m a big kid? Lol who knows that’s just how I was made I suppose.

Anyway the link above has this statement in it “Father's Day is a celebration honoring fathers and celebrating fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in society”

Dads are important, even Step Dads, even just guys who never bail on a kid and put their needs above their own. Kids need that; someone they can rely on to be their constant, their safe place in the world of ever changing and trying times. I’m proud to be that, it is a badge I wear proudly and always will. But I don’t need to be celebrated on any day even Father’s Day. I just need a good night kiss, a hug and snuggle, a “thanks Dad I love you” and maybe once in a while you’re the best, or as Evan says “you are the best dad that I ever saw”. Those few things and to get and carry the kids up to their bed from the car when they have fallen asleep on the way home from Bapa and Lola’s. That all I need, but thanks again for the Golf Shirts :)