He has never stepped foot on the Moon. He did not lead the NFL in career rushing yards. He did not sign the Declaration of Independence. He did not invent the flush toilet. What he did do was give me life. And oh, what a life it has been so far.I am the man I am today because of him. I am the father that I am because of him. I am me because of him.
We did not have Y-Guides in Rocky Mount when I was a kid, or at least I did not know if we did. It did not matter, because I was fortunate enough to have a father that was a Big Brave in spirit if not in a leather vest covered in patches. He talked the talk, walked the walk and was every bit a model dad for what I now know as a Y-Guides dad.
My father always made time for me and my sister and I never can remember a time when he was not available to us. Sure, he worked and brought home the bacon, but he always had his schedule set so he could coach my Little League and basketball teams. He always had time to play catch in the backyard or shoot hoops in the driveway. Not only did he instill in me a competitive drive that stays with me to this day, he passed on to me his desire to put family first.
Back when I was a teen in the 1970s, my family participated in a national program called "Family Time" that promoted families spending quality time together in a world pulling families apart. I remember those fun activities and how much the time we spent together meant to me. Whether it was bowling, shooting pool in the family room, watching old home movies or going fishing, these were cherished family moments that stay with me to this day. And it is this memory of "Family Time" that made me choose "Family First" as my chief's challenge this year.
My father gave me a lot of great advice and taught me a lot of things while I was young. While I probably never would actually admit back then, I fully appreciate all he shared with me and have since thanked him profusely. After college and living in my first house I was faced with fixing something or another that was in need of repair. Upon completion of the task, I could hear my dad's voice inside my head (much like Obi-wan Kenobe) - "Some day you'll appreciate me making you help me fix this..." I immediately called him and said "Thanks for making me help you all those times..." I say those exact words my dad said to me to Ridge and Dylan as I attempt to teach them a thing or two.
Not only has my father taught me to be a good dad, he has been a role model of volunteer behavior and upstanding citizenry. My dad has always given his all to many organizations across city, state and national programs. Whether it was the Rotary Club, his church's Methodist Men or the Jaycees on a national level, my dad has given his time and his heart. People wonder why I volunteer the way I do and how I can make time to be a nations officer while being on a board of directors and coaching the kids' athletic teams and do pro bono web design stuff all at the same time - I can only answer that it's in my genes. Between my Mom and my Dad, I learned to do what's asked of me, give all that I can and never back down from a challenge to do my best for others.
When I see the very heart of our program in action: dads being dads with their kids, I cannot help but think of my father and how great a dad he has been to me. On Sunday at Camp Kanata, I plan on thanking him in front all the new Little Guides and remind them of the inspiration sitting beside them - and the hero that is their own father.
Happy Birthday, Dad!
How-How!
No comments:
Post a Comment