This is my 42nd Father’s Day without my dad; it is my 44th as a dad.
In 1999, our family stopped by the cemetery in San Antonio where mom and dad are buried. The rest of the family got back into the van while I remained for a few more moments reflecting with dad. It began to rain, so I returned to the van where my youngest son said, “Dad, I’m sorry your dad died.” Today, that son and I fished old school (worms and a bobber) at a place my boys and I refer to as “The Crappie Spot.” As always for such experiences, our fishing was a time of conversation, laughter, story-telling and musing about life. My other sons spent their days with their kids and, for one, it included fishing. I’m sure that for the other, there was fun in the mountains to be had.
The point is, life goes on, and, for me, much of the beauty and joy of my life growing up was being son to my father, and in my adult years, it is being father to three sons. It is the moments along the way that make the galaxy of memories to be viewed and re-explored later in life.
Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers and father figures! Enjoy the moments you’re making and reflect on the ones you’ve had. Do not take any of them for granted and hold onto those moments as treasures to carry into the future.