Hi Folks,
I’ve read quite a few stories that sentimentally describe a wonderful Mother’s Day story. Father’s Day is different. I can’t recall any of those warm tales specifically about Father’s Day.
I’m a reader. I read the local daily newspaper in its entirety every day. I read the Wall Street Journal Monday through Saturday, although not everything it contains. The technical financial stuff just doesn’t turn my crank anymore. I always have about 2 or 3 books on the night stand that I’m reading. So why haven’t I seen warm, sentimental stories about Father’s Day? Sure, there are many books out today with warm remembrances of someone’s father. I’ve read more than my share of them. But what I’m talking about is specific stories about Father’s Day. I know there have to be some, but let’s face it – they’re scarce.
You know, most Dads are the “enforcers” in the family. Screw up and you’re told “just wait until your father gets home” or something to that effect. Yep, you definitely didn’t get away with anything. No, it’s just that the “man” isn’t here at the moment. And this delay is itself punishment. Imagination runs rampant, tension mounts, stress increases. “Wait until your Father gets home” is quickly approaching. Are you ready?
I’m thinking that maybe this is why we don’t have warm Father’s Day stories. Dad’s for the most part aren’t cuddly. They can be fantastically loving, great providers, respected citizens, admired “family men”. But cuddly? No, that’s an adjective I don’t ever remember that term being used to describe my Dad or any dads of my pals for that matter.
My Dad was a tough Dad. It was his way. There was no alternative. No debate. No multiple choice. His way. Period. He was fair, but there was no “middle ground” with my Dad. Just his way. And maybe having dads like this explains why I don’t recall any Father’s Day stories. While moms are pretty, soft, warm, tidy, and understanding dads for the most part are rougher, tougher, unyielding, perhaps a bit untidy, and always dictate the rules. At least that’s the way it was in our household and certainly in all of my buddies houses when I was growing up. Obey Dad and Mom’s rules or suffer the consequences. From Dad.
My Dad and almost all of my buddies dads were World War II vets. They fought for our freedom overseas. They had seen war and the horrors it produced. They had been in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard and knew how to take orders as well as give them. So it wasn’t a particularly big leap for them to reign one of their kids in when he or she misbehaved or stepped out of line. Little did they know that by doing this it made their kids less likely to write warm Father’s Day stories about them. And I’m guessing they really didn’t care.
I was a “baby boomer” and my Dad was 43 years old when I came along. I only knew him for 21 years as he passed away just a few weeks after my 21st birthday. He had some health problems and back then medicine wasn’t as good as it is today. If it were I have no doubts Dad would have lived many years beyond his 64 years. But I did have my Dad when I was growing up. He taught me to fish and love it as much as he did (which is saying something). He taught me right from wrong, good manners, not to be boastful, to respect others, be a good Christian. Although not all of life’s important lessons originated solely from my Dad, he made sure I practiced them and paid the price when I did not. Flexibility just wasn’t part of Dad’s karma.
The older I got the more I admired my Dad. He had come from some of the humblest beginnings imaginable, fought in a horrible war, worked two jobs immediately after the war, and managed to not only support his family, but do so in a way that made sure we did not want. Mom and Dad were by no means extravagant, but they made sure their children were their first priority.
One year after I got out of high school I gave my Dad a new DAM Quick spinning reel for Father’s Day. At the time it was considered one of the best spinning reels made. At least that’s what the sporting goods store clerk assured me. Dad was thrilled and I’m sure would never have bought such a fine reel for himself. From that day on the DAM Quick reel became his “go to” reel. As much as he loved that reel, I know I loved it more seeing him so happy. As he often would say, “that’s a fine piece of machinery.”
Only after my Dad became ill did I realize just how much I had depended on him. From his unlimited patience when teaching me to drive to his understanding when I let a six pack of beer get the better of me, Dad was my best pal as I approached adulthood. Yes, he had flaws and would never be a poster boy for Dad of the Year, but he never tried to cover these flaws up, never acted like they didn’t exist. It was what it was. If someone didn’t like Dad – tough.
Illnesses have a way of taking even the most vital human beings and eventually bringing them to their knees. Dad’s medical foe was a autoimmune blood disease that would come and go. When it came Dad was really sick and bedridden. When it went away he was back to his old self. Unfortunately as time passed the disease came more often than it went. Fishing trips to Canada ceased. The DAM Quick reel remained in the tackle box.
Eventually it became clear that this was one fight that my Dad would eventually lose. By then I was no longer living at home and was working a full time job as well as going to college with a full course load ever weekday night. My time was so filled that I would have to go by Mom and Dad’s house whenever I could break free for short intervals or on weekends. Every time I came by I could see Dad was slipping.
On one of my visits Dad was feeling a bit better and asked me to sit down on the edge of his bed. He grabbed my hand in his and looked me straight in the eyes. Unflinching and with unexpected strength he said, “You know son, I’m the only father you’re ever going to have. I hope I’ve been a good one and that you know I love you.”
Only at that moment did I realize just how simple and yet how profound that statement was. And it has stayed with me to this day.
So today is Father’s Day and I have just told you a Father’s Day story. My Dad passed away about 6 months after our bedside talk. But I’m not telling you this story to make you sad or so you will think my Dad was someone special or different. It’s just that what he said is so true. YOUR Dad is the only Dad you will ever have. Take a few minutes today to call him or go by and see him and thank him for being your Dad. He may have made mistakes, screwed up on more than a few occasions, but he’s still your Dad. And the only Dad you will ever have. Make sure he knows how much you appreciate that.
We probably should have sent out a flyer a week or two ago so we could sell everyone some great gear for their Dads, but we didn’t. Call it my stubbornness. Call it belligerence. Maybe it has something to do with my idealism and the fact that I think Father’s Day should be a day filled with love and the strength to actually tell your Dad, man to man, just how much you love him. Whatever. Here’s my take on Father’s Day: It’s great to have a special day where we honor our fathers, but it’s really more important (at least in my mind) to love them and show them just how much we appreciate them every day of the year. So there was no flyer. What I would suggest, however, is take some time and take your Dad on a fishing trip – just you and him. Give him a special day where he is King for the day. It shouldn’t be just on Father’s Day. And, (here’s the sales pitch) maybe buy him a great rod or reel or some really good fishing gear. I can guarantee you that (if he’s like my Dad) his eyes will light up and he will be thrilled that someone (that would be you) loved him so much that they gave him something he would never have bought for himself.
This issue we have a neat deal on G. Loomis and Shimano “combos”. But a G. Loomis GLX or NRX rod and any Shimano reel and get a FREE G. Loomis jacket. Depending on what model (we have two available) that’s a $95 or $98 value gratis. Details are below. We are also featuring a great Sunline deal. Buy two spools of any Sunline line and we’ll include a Free Sunline microfiber T-shirt ($38 value) absolutely free. Again, all the juicy details are below. We’re also featuring the new Kopper’s Live Target hollow mouse, our brand new American Legacy hats (I love the beige ALFC oval ones!), Power Pro’s almost impossible to get Super Slick braid, and lots more that we think you will find great products.
We thank all of you for your friendship and patronage and wish each and every one of you a great Father’s Day. Give you Dad a big hug from all of us here at American Legacy!
Great article. My dad was very similar to yours. I have recently gotten back into fishing after an 8 year hiatus (kids will do that to you). The first fishing I did was with my 2 daughters on fathers day. We didn’t catch anything big, we were fishing a small pond at a relatives house. But every fish was HUGE to them. After that, the next trip I made was with my dad, who took me on my first fishing excursions years ago. Fishing is a true family activity, you can talk, and laugh and enjoy each others company while still enjoying the challenge of landing a nice fish. I have made some solo excursions and got some nice big fish, and each time I think “I wish my kiddos were here with me to see this.” young ones can be difficult to fish with, not to mention that there is no way they are touching a fish haha. My oldest is 7 years old, and she said something the other day that will stick with me forever. She said “Dad, I don’t think I want to get married, I want to have daddy daughter fishing nights forever!” I am not an emotional guy, but that just about got me.
P.S. Love your store, great products, and the service and knowledge is outstanding!
Thanks for the story and the kind words, I hope your daddy daughter fishing nights last as long as you can get them to, those times are so precious.