Happy Father’s Day in my own way ….. my kids are all grown and gone, scattered across the country, living good lives. We are in that time period where they are making their way in the world, but don’t have their own kids yet. So, I have the odd experience of no children at home on Father’s Day.
That’s okay. Yesterday my lovely wife took me to a Mariner’s game and we watched them beat the Texas Rangers. Sitting around us were several young men and we spent 9 innings bantering with them and watching the game.
Today, we had breakfast at our local pub and now that the rain has blown away and the clouds are opening up a bit, I’m having a cigar in the backyard. My wife is puttering around in the garden, which is her joy on the weekend. The dog is running around and playing.
I have a Nub Cameroon, a cup of coffee … Americano actually …. And I’m reading Lord of the Rings for the 70 millionth time.
In the not too distant future, I expect that I will have grandchildren and this day will take on all new meaning. Until then, I will enjoy that my children are doing well and I can have a quiet afternoon with a cigar, coffee, and one of my favorite books.
I don’t really have a bunch of meaning in all of this to share. I think fathers are important, they are the foundation of the family. Without fathers, both biologically and culturally, our society would not survive. My own father was the bedrock that kept our family going through some really hard times and some really good ones. I’ve tried to be like him as much as I could, although I doubt I will ever be as steady, calm, and full of grace as he is.
Celebrate your fathers and celebrate yourself.