American ‘Dreams from my Father’ on Father’s Day

 
As a minister’s family, we were often the target of panhandlers from the thoroughbred race track in town.  My Dad’s approach to these downtrodden fellows was to offer them not only the means to gain some sustenance, but a minor chore or two to restore some dignity as well by earning that meal.  How I lament the loss of that lesson in American society today, with all the obnoxious entitlement-abusers demanding free handouts as their “right”, offering only glowering ingratitude in return.   Dad’s solution was win-win.

More importantly, he led our family as the spiritual head of our household.   He never shirked this duty or delegated it off to Mom, whose steady reinforcement and nurture of those values and that faith added strength and consistency to the example my Dad provided.   They were and are a great team.

Perhaps that’s the best quality my father exemplified – consistency.   He said what he meant, did what he said, and lived what he preached.   He is the real deal.   I’ve never wondered for a moment in my life whether my dad would follow through on something he said, whether it was disciplinary or as my benefactor.   The man’s word is his bond.   I also never worried for a single moment that some skeleton of moral failure was going to come tumbling out of the closet of his life. He showed me what integrity looks like, and the strength and peace that comes with having it.

So thanks Dad, for setting a great example that hasn’t wavered during your 77 years.   Thanks for teaching me the stuff that really matters not only during my years here but on into eternity, stuff that makes a boy into a man.

Happy Father’s Day!

Image: courtesy of: http://www.public-domain-image.com/public-domain-images-pictures-free-stock-photos/people-public-domain-images-pictures/male-men-public-domain-images-pictures/fathers-day-father-with-kid-on-lake.jpg
author: Laubenstein Karen, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; public domain