THE FATHER LIFE | the men's magazine for today's fathers

From the Editor's... Warm Living Room

By: Ben Martin
June 9, 2008

Summer has arrived here in Rochester, with temps right around 90. We've got our window air conditioning units in, but the living room is without one... and it's warm. Still cooler than outside, but warm nonetheless.

The arrival of 90 degree weather can only mean one thing: it must be June. And June means that Father's Day approacheth. I'm always a bit thrown off by Father's Day. On the one hand, I become reflective of the impact my own father has had on my life and appreciative of what he's done. On the other hand, I'm always treated to a great deal of adulation by my adoring children--and I'm not always comfortable with that. It's a strange mix of emotions.

My dad and I don't always see eye to eye. He's not perfect. Yet, he did provide some awesome lessons by example in the life he lived before me as I was growing up. He's the hardest worker I know; his work ethic puts most people I know to shame. He can be incredibly disciplined; I'm still in awe of his ability to walk away from a favorite TV show because there were more important things to do. He is also a man of tremendous faith; no matter what difficulty life has thrown his way, he has been steadfast in his commitment to a faith that has guided his life. Sure, I could list faults here, too, but in the final analysis, I just hope to be half the man my dad is by the time I finish growing up.

My kids love me, and I suppose that's only natural. If I can put my self in their shoes, I can begin to understand the way they see me. But I can only get so far; after all, I still see all of the ugly warts of my shortcomings. Every June, though, they make sure to give me the biggest dose of "we love dad" allowed by law (and their mom makes most of it possible). They make cards. They buy gifts. They try to make our time on Father's Day as special as it can be. And I take it all in, all the while humbled to think that I've somehow done well enough to deserve this treatment from my kids. If it were up to me, I'd skip Father's Day. After all, I don't think I deserve any of it. The truth of the matter, though, is that it's a good thing for me to go through. Their appreciation spurs me on to be better, to try harder. It reminds me of the awesome responsibility I have to give my kids the best fathering I can give them. A father should settle for nothing less.

Until next week,

Ben


home \| forums \| links \| articles \| about us rss feed
	(sign up!)
From the Editor's... Warm Living Room By: Ben Martin June 9, 2008 Summer has arrived here in Rochester, with temps right around 90. We've got our window air conditioning units in, but the living room is without one... and it's warm. Still cooler than outside, but warm nonetheless. The arrival of 90 degree weather can only mean one thing: it must be June. And June means that Father's Day approacheth. I'm always a bit thrown off by Father's Day. On the one hand, I become reflective of the impact my own father has had on my life and appreciative of what he's done. On the other hand, I'm always treated to a great deal of adulation by my adoring children--and I'm not always comfortable with that. It's a strange mix of emotions. My dad and I don't always see eye to eye. He's not perfect. Yet, he did provide some awesome lessons by example in the life he lived before me as I was growing up. He's the hardest worker I know; his work ethic puts most people I know to shame. He can be incredibly disciplined; I'm still in awe of his ability to walk away from a favorite TV show because there were more important things to do. He is also a man of tremendous faith; no matter what difficulty life has thrown his way, he has been steadfast in his commitment to a faith that has guided his life. Sure, I could list faults here, too, but in the final analysis, I just hope to be half the man my dad is by the time I finish growing up. My kids love me, and I suppose that's only natural. If I can put my self in their shoes, I can begin to understand the way they see me. But I can only get so far; after all, I still see all of the ugly warts of my shortcomings. Every June, though, they make sure to give me the biggest dose of "we love dad" allowed by law (and their mom makes most of it possible). They make cards. They buy gifts. They try to make our time on Father's Day as special as it can be. And I take it all in, all the while humbled to think that I've somehow done well enough to deserve this treatment from my kids. If it were up to me, I'd skip Father's Day. After all, I don't think I deserve any of it. The truth of the matter, though, is that it's a good thing for me to go through. Their appreciation spurs me on to be better, to try harder. It reminds me of the awesome responsibility I have to give my kids the best fathering I can give them. A father should settle for nothing less. Until next week, Ben