Father’s day is tomorrow.  Actually, at the time of writing this, it is a mere one hour away…  Well, all I can say is “whoops, I really dropped the ball”.  I knew that it was coming but kept pushing it to the back-burner of my mind.  Come on, there are millions of things to do – right?  Maybe.  That’s still a very poor excuse not to send a nice card to your dad or father-in-law.  If you are one of the few  “myhusbandandkids” readers, you may remember that I am also terrible about remembering Mother’s Day.

It’s not that I totally forgot, it’s just that I didn’t remember at the appropriate time.  A few weeks ago, Bryan showed me a picture of what might be the ugliest chair that I have ever seen.  The Bass Pro Shop was advertising a camouflage lounge chair on sale for Father’s Day.  Yes, really.  And yes, Bryan (and Rachel) were certain that this lovely piece of furniture would make our home complete.  Of course, I squashed the idea.  We have too much furniture as it stands already.  But, for the past few weeks I have fielded at least one daily request to reconsider.  Then, I realized I had a big bargaining chip.  Maybe if I offered to get the chair, we could get rid of some unnecessary clutter.  It worked – but we couldn’t agree upon what to get rid of or where to relocate stuff.  (after 15 years, we still can’t agree on home furnishings)

Earlier this week, I was reminded of Father’s Day in a totally random way.  I was sitting in a doctor’s office (don’t worry – it was one of those routine check-up things.  I could make LOTS of jokes, which I will share privately if you are so inclined to hear them) and noticed lots of family pictures and realized – crap Father’s Day – 4 days away!  Unfortunately, I forgot about the big day as soon as conversation turned medical.

So, we will call our dad’s (and I will offer up a lame apology for not remembering a card), but if I know those guys well, they will be happy with the call.  A card AND a call would be better and more effectively demonstrate gratitude, but these guys are pretty old-school.  As with the Mother’s Day blog, I have less personal reflections to draw upon with my in-laws, but I can say that my father-in-law is certainly a very devoted dad.  He grew up on (and still lives on) a farm in Eastern Kentucky.  For many years he had two farm supply stores, which enabled him to send his two sons to school – one is an optometrist and as you all know Bryan is a M.D.  I think that the success of his two boys is a reflection of Pete’s strong and loving influence on them.  He taught them how to be practical – how to farm, how to hunt, fish, and all of that stuff, but most importantly, he loves his boys so very much.  I have never heard him make big declarations like that, but sometimes actions speak much louder than words..

I am going to assume that 100% of people reading this know my dad.  What can I say about my dad – of all the stories that I could tell, some funny, some sad?   When I look back on the entirety of my childhood, some of the most profound lessons came from my dad.  He always had a story – I think in a past life he was a Baptist preacher….  Every single issue could be boiled down to some simple story or analogy.  I didn’t realize how much these stories really shaped my consciousness until I started working in labs.  When something seemed impossible, I would think of some story that Dad told me while we were driving to the garden in his 1979 green pick-up truck or some daily routine.  One evening, Dad was getting ready to go to work on the 2nd-shift in the mines.  He had on his work-outfit and big steel toe boots.  His hard-hat that was covered in reflective stickers and his lunch pail were sitting beside him.  As he was tying his shoes, he asked “Ruth, what is the definition of work?”  I can’t remember exactly what I said, but every answer was met with “Wrong”.  He then started in with a story…

“One day, there were two men heading to work.  They were both going to the same mine, traveling the same distance, in the same kind of vehicle.  On the way, both of them had trouble with their vehicle.  The first guy got out of his truck and tried everything he could to get that thing going again.  He checked the engine, tinkered with it for a long time, until he just plain ole started pushing the thing.  He was desperate, because he would be in big trouble for missing work.  The second guy, checked the engine and spent a few minutes foolin’ with it, but realized it was useless.  He walked about a mile back and got somebody in town to drive him to the mine.  He was a little late, but he got there and earned most of a days pay.  Ok, which guy worked the hardest?  The one who spent the day pushing his truck and trying ever-which-way to get it started or the other guy?”

“Well, of course the guy that pushed his truck and tried to fix it.”

“Wrong!”

“But Dad, he spent so much energy trying to get his truck started!”

“Ruth, you can push against something all day long and get no where.  If you don’t make forward progress you aren’t working!   Guy number two went to work and did his job and got paid.  That’s work.”

As I got older and realized that lots of effort is meaningless unless you learn or grow or make forward movement, I understood that analogy.  A different version of his story was even used by  my college physics professors when describing the equation for calculating work!  Geez – how could Dad be so wise – LOL!

Like Pete, Bryan loves his kids.  He is a completely loving and devoted father, and like my dad, Bryan is at his center very tender hearted.  He is also wise – much like our father’s.  It is with incredible and tremendous luck and blessings that Bryan and I have such strong, smart, and loving dad’s!  It is also with blessings that are beyond expression that I married a terrific man that has such qualities.  His taste in furniture is questionable, but  his devotion and love for me and the girls is without measure.

Happy Father’s Day!  (make sure to scroll to the bottom to see all these awesome guys!)

Pete – with baby Sarah Amelia

Bryan and Rachel on a hiking trip in KY.

One of my favorite pictures of me and Dad – taken after my first band concert, 1986. I knew that he was so proud!