NOTE: At the end of this post, I'll tell you the rules for my Fathers Day 2018 Contest: The winner will get to choose between two field-level tickets to a regular season Yankees game in the Bronx (date TBA, travel not included) or a $1,000 donation to your father's favorite charity.
My father died when I was eleven, and was in and out of my life before that, so I don't have too many solid memories of him.
And while I was super close with my mother, I never felt like I knew "the whole story" with her. I think my mom operated under the "I didn’t want to tell you because you weren’t ready" mentality, and we never quite got there.
In anticipation of Father's Day, I've been thinking a lot about what being a father means to me, and a big part of it is sharing as much of my life as possible with my two kids.
This meant bringing them to work as much as was possible (and realistic) while they were growing up, and it also meant letting them have a voice in where we'd go on vacation, or to eat - or any of our family plans, for that matter. And it's meant being open with my children emotionally (within reason of course).
Being a father has also meant passing on "life lessons." I've always emphasized three "golden rules" with my kids:
1. Be a good person to everyone.
2. Be a good brother and son with your family.
3. Do your best in school.
Those were our only "non-negotiable" rules. We drilled them into our kids very early on.
And it's very satisfying to see what generous adults they've become, what good sports they are at all times.
But being a father is not just about how I "parent" my kids; it's also about how they influence me!
My kids, in addition to my wife, serve as my accountability police.
They keep me honest by goofing on me what seems like all of the time. They help me to not take myself too seriously.
It’s good to have people who know you and are completely open and honest with you. Who can critique you.
My daughter often calls me out when I tell her a story: "I can't believe you said that to that person!" (She also helps me dress sometimes.)
For me, the bottom line is that being a father is about more than the love I have for my kids: It's the teaching that only my my wife and I can provide them - and it's the learning that we can only get from them.
FATHERS DAY 2018 CONTEST RULES:
1. Subscribe to this blog by entering your email address > HERE <. (If you're already subscribed, you can skip this step.)
2. Leave a comment in the comments section below, telling me what being a father - or having a father - means to you. If you're reading this from your email, click > HERE < to go to the full blog page on my website and you can leave your comments below.
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY! CONTEST CLOSES AT 12:01 AM, EASTERN STANDARD TIME, JUNE 18th, 2018.
CONTEST RULES: By entering your comment, you are agreeing to the following Official Rules: Must be US resident; Must enter by leaving comment in comments section of this post; I retain the right to publicize the names and likenesses of the winner(s); If winner forfeits or does not claim the prize, it will be re-awarded, at my discretion. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
Song of the Day: "Father And Daughter" by Paul Simon
My father was never around growing up. I believe he’s on his 3rd or 4th wife at this point. He always promised he’d show up to my games or would pick me up for the weekend and time after time I was left waiting for him. Therefore, I vowed when I had kids of my own, I would be the greatest father anyone could ever ask for and that my kids would never know a broken promise from me. Now here I am, 37 years old with two boys of my own and although I’m sure I’m not perfect, I am the best damn father I can be and my boys are the greatest thing that ever happened to me. Today, I played catch with my 6 year old for an hour for the first time where he could really catch and throw himself and it was the best hour of my life. Then we sat down and watched the Yankees beat the Rays. Perfect Father’s Day weekend.
I used to be bitter about my own non-existent father but now I just want to thank him. Because being the way he was helped me be the way I am today and I wouldn’t change it for the world.
The older I get and the longer I’m without my dad (16 years now), the more I realize what a really great man he was.
Being the oldest of two girls, I was always my dad’s shadow growing up. Every Saturday we’d go into town – whether to Agway or the local car mechanic, he seemed to know everyone and everyone loved him. His job played a part in that – he worked for the same Home fuel oil company for nearly 40 years and most of that as the burner service man. So he was in many folks’ homes at all hours to provide repairs for them. Especially in the dead of winter in the middle of the night whe. He was called out to get them – no wonder they loved him!
At his calling hours the night before his funeral, I swear everyone who had ever known him showed up! The line wrapped around the building and we were there an hour longer than usual to allow them all to pay their respects.
Today as my girls are now grown and gone, my hope is that I’ve taught them what my dad taught me (actually they’ve told me these without prompting!) – work hard and treat everyone as you hope they will treat you and always smile!
My father is definitely my role model. If he and I could go see a Yankees game together it would be absolutely amazing. I am grateful every day to be able to be able to call him my dad. I know many people have their fathers taken away at a very young age or they’re not there for them. As huge Yanks fan we would be elated to go see a game. Thank you for the opportunity Mr. Steiner.
My favorite memory of my dad was when I was actually sitting in the McDonalds drive thru with my mother and she informed me of my father’s infidelities that led to their ultimate separation. Needless to say I’ve celebrating Father’s Day with my mother for multiple years now!
My dad taught me many valuable lessons and one of them is caring for the elderly family members we have and cherishing every moment with them. I appreciate that because I was able to get to know my grandfather before he passed away.