Father’s Day: A Time to Remember Them All
Once again Father’s Day is quickly approaching. After I became a dad and Wendy and Aurora were old enough for primary, I loved going to church on Father’s Day because the primary kids sing one of my favorite songs. It’s called I’m So Glad When Daddy Comes Home. Even though the girls are no longer in primary, it’s still what I ask for on Father’s Day – for them to sing that song to me. When I am 100, Wendy is 70 and Aurora is 64 that will still be what I will ask for on Father’s Day.
My dad was great. I lost him a little over a year ago, but I still feel him close by and his influence. Every so often I have a memory and smile thinking about him. He sacrificed a lot to take care of his boys, even working three jobs. He did everything a dad is supposed to do. He taught me to swim, to fish and to hunt. We loved watching OU football together, and had many fun times during the games. Last season was my first to watch without him. It somehow did not have the same meaning. I have had season tickets for years, and a few years ago I gave them up so I could stay and watch them with him. I had opportunities to go to bowl games which I turned down, because I knew the day would come when he would not be around with me to watch the games. When I went to OU he was so proud of me. He was also proud of Wendy and Aurora and loved my girls so much. He was great.
When I was 19 I got another dad as well. That dad taught me a lot of things over the years. He taught me about cars, engines and gardening. Most importantly, he taught me about service and how to help others. He is one of the best examples of service to others I have ever seen.
In 2009 I was privileged to gain a third dad. I didn’t get to know that dad well, but in our short time I learned many things. I learned about being prepared for emergencies, and I learned about finances. I learned how to look at money, finance and businesses. I learned how someone could be of the country club set and play golf every day, but still show appreciation for hard work and for a dollar and how to stretch that dollar to make it work to your full benefit.
I am lucky to have had three dads. Only one of those three are still living today. I hope I have transferred some of what I have learned to my children in my time as being a dad.
Thank you, dads. I love all of you. RDG
My brother Gary, my dad, and me at an OU game
