Father's Day: Key lessons learned and taught

With my Dad.

This month will mark the second Fathers’ Day since the sad day that we lost my Dad. The day comes around every year, there is no getting around it.

Our children never fail to call and wish me Happy Fathers’ Day and I enjoy that tremendously. We joke around and laugh at old family humor. Those calls and the greetings cards they send never fail to make for a happy day. Amy and I have two very fine kids. Amy did a sensational job of raising them.

Amy.

I don’t claim credit for the tremendous adults our children have become because I know I could have been a better father. What’s worse, I know I could have been a better son to my own Dad. So, pushing all of that forward for consideration, what are the key points to Fatherhood that I learned from my own Dad and that I hopefully passed along to our hatchlings?

I offer below a modest list of lessons, a combination of things preached by the two of us:

1.    I am going to correct you when you are wrong and sometimes the correctional activity will be less than fun, but I will ALWAYS have your back to the world outside of the family. Always.

2.    Honor your Mother. Celebrate the sacrifices she has made for you and enjoy the warmth of her unconditional love.

3.    No matter how old I get, if you need help, call me.

Me with Regan.

4.    Our kids did not grow up in airconditioned houses. I don’t care whether they think the A/C should cool off the entire world or not because I’m not paying for it.

5.    John Wayne was the best actor of all time, Bear Bryant was the greatest football coach, A.J. Foyt was the best racer ever, Richard Petty was the best stock car driver, John Elway was the best quarterback and Magic Johnson was the best basketball player. You will memorize these points.

6.    You have both Union and Confederate DNA. Understand what was wrong with the Confederate cause, but never turn your back on your heritage or your family.

7.    When installing a car stereo, be sure you properly attach the ground wire. If you fail to do so, you could spend hours trying to determine why the stereo doesn’t play.

8.    You are entitled to grind your state and federal governments for every deduction legally available on your tax return. Be accurate but be complete because it’s your money and money does not grow on trees.

9.    Read the Wall Street Journal.

10.    Roll Tide, baby, Roll Tide. But root for USC and San Diego State, too. 

With Sean.

  11.    When you get down to the basics, the United States Army Air Corps was not much different from today’s United States Air Force. Look straight up into the sky and thank Goodness that we rule the air.

Thanks for reading!