To Dads…

Happy Father’s Day this coming Sunday!  If you’re lucky enough to have living fathers and grandfathers, give them a big hug Sunday.  If they have passed on, I hope you cherish their memory. 

I remember many things about my Dad.  First and foremost, he smiled a lot.  He laughed easily.  He had a zest for life!  We should all be so lucky.  His memory brings a proud smile to my face (and my heart!). 

The older I get the more I appreciate the love and devotion he gave me and my brother.  He wanted his sons to make a difference.  Plus, he wanted to pass along his family’s traditions.  He also wanted us to be patient with his quirks. 

I remember after my Mom died, my Dad ate dinner at the hospital cafeteria two blocks from his house.  It might have been for the convenience; maybe for the memory of the last place he saw his beloved wife alive. 

Eating dinner at the hospital every evening for over twenty years, the employees eventually thought Al Pokorn actually worked there.  One summer, he was even invited to the company picnic.  I didn’t mind this innocent charade, but when he won a TV in the employee raffle, I told him he had to give it back! 

We’re all a little quirky, I suppose.  Today, when my children use one of my quirky sayings, or demonstrate a family tradition that has been passed down from father to son, it brings a proud smile to my face (and my heart)! 

We Dads hope we’ve instilled a sense of wisdom and common sense in our children: 

Kid wisdom: 

When your Dad is mad at you and asks you, “Do I look stupid?”  Don't answer him. 

Michael 

Dads sometimes have to employ “tough-love”.  The good news is my children are resilient.  Yours are too, I bet.  If we are tough with them from time-to-time, they know - kids are smart: 

A flustered father, stressed out from his day at work, was unsuccessfully texting his kids to come in for dinner.  Finally, he walks out on his porch and yells for his kids to come in. 

At that point one youngster turns to his brother and asks, “I can’t remember, which one am I - Jesus Christ or God Dammit?” 

Unknown Sage 

Because my sons have their children now, I get to follow the tradition of being the grandfather!   I’m still trying to make a difference: 

Sometimes the only difference we can make is passing our wisdom on to someone else who will make the bigger difference. 

Linda B. Gray 

So, here’s to your Dad, my Dad, and all the Dads out there.  They have strived to help each one of us make a difference - a tradition to be passed down. 

GAP 

When life gets tough we could get a helmet… or… we could leverage the peace and share the power of a positive perspective.

 

To Dad…

Happy Father’s Day this coming Sunday!  Aren’t fathers and grandfathers great?  The memory of my father still brings a proud smile to my face (and my heart!).  If you’re lucky enough to have living fathers and grandfathers, give them a hug Sunday.  I bet they’ll smile. 

My Dad smiled a lot.  He had a zest for life!  He was a “Depression Baby”; outlived his parents; twelve siblings; and even his wife (who died all too young in her fifties after a long battle with cancer).  I think these experiences and others made a deep impression on my Dad.  He decided to love life, come what may, for as long as he could.  He laughed easily.  We should all be so lucky. 

He suffered a debilitating back injury… it was in the midst of a Chicago winter and he was shoveling his driveway.  He was 86 years old.  His next door neighbor got stuck in the snow pulling into her driveway.  My Dad, ever the can-do mindset, motioned her to wait and he would help.  After unburying her front tires he went around to the back of her car and pushed while she slowly accelerated up her driveway and ultimately into her garage. 

Turns out my Dad partially crushed four vertebrae in his lower back pushing that car.  He was never the same.  Too old for back surgery he was eventually confined to a wheelchair.  Had to move from his house to assisted living and then nursing care.  All the while he maintained that gleam in his eye when he was around care givers, other patients, and visits from family and friends.  He died in his sleep at the age of 91. We should all be so lucky. 

The older I get the more appreciative I am of the love and devotion I received from my father.   He wanted his sons to make a difference.  He also wanted us to be patient with his quirks.  I remember after my Mom died, my Dad ate dinner at the hospital cafeteria two blocks from his house.  It might have been for the convenience; maybe for the memory of the last place he saw his wife alive. 

He was present every evening for over twenty years.  So long, that the employees all thought Al Pokorn actually worked for the hospital.  One summer, he was even invited to the company picnic.  I didn’t mind this innocent charade, but when he won a TV in the employee raffle, I told him he had to give it back! 

We are all a little quirky I suppose: 

I get to be the grandfather now.  Being the grandfather has responsibilities, too: 

Sometimes the only difference we can make is passing our wisdom on to someone else who will make the bigger difference. 

Linda B. Gray 

Today when my children or grandchildren use one of my quirky, little sayings, or demonstrate a family value or tradition that has been passed down from father to son, it brings a proud smile to my face (and my heart)!  I’m a lucky man. 

So, here’s to my Dad; and your Dad; and everyone’s Dad.  Their quirks and family values have helped us all make a difference.  Especially their zest for life - a tradition to be passed down. 

GAP 

When life gets tough we could get a helmet… or… we could leverage the peace and share the power of a positive perspective.

To Dad…

Happy Father’s Day coming this Sunday!  Aren’t fathers and grandfathers great?  The memory of my father still brings a proud smile to my face (and my heart!).  If you’re lucky enough to have living fathers and grandfathers, give them a hug Sunday. 

We fathers are so proud when our children demonstrate the skill of common sense we hope we have instilled in them: 

Kid wisdom: 

When your Dad is mad at you and asks you, “Do I look stupid?”  Don't answer him. 

Michael 

Sometimes our Dads employ “tough-love”.  The worst years of my life occurred when I tried that approach.  I wasn’t skilled at it; didn’t like the outcome; and today would caution any young father to be wary of this idea.  If I could do it over again, I would do it differently. 

The good news is my children are resilient.  Yours are too I bet.  (Passed down from us?)  If we are tough with them from time-to-time, they know it’s not permanent - kids are smart: 

A flustered father, stressed out from his day at work, was unsuccessfully texting his kids to come in for dinner.  Finally, he walks out on his porch and yells for his kids to come in. 

At that point one youngster turns to his brother and asks, “I can’t remember, which one am I - Jesus Christ or God Dammit?” 

Unknown Sage 

Some fathers have a very entertaining view of the world.  Take Mike Jaeger’s: 

Tell a man there are 300 billion stars in the universe and he'll believe you.  Tell him the plate you're handing him is very hot and he'll have to touch it to believe it.

Dads today take great pride in continuing to provide a home for their families, even as the definition of “home” evolves: 

Home, nowadays, is a place where part of the family waits ‘til the rest of the family brings the car back. 

Earl Wilson 

Because my sons have children in their lives, I get to be the grandfather now!   Being the grandfather has responsibilities, too: 

Sometimes the only difference we can make is passing our wisdom on to someone else who will make the bigger difference. 

Linda B. Gray 

The older I get the more appreciative I am of the love and devotion I received from my father.   He wanted his sons to make a difference.  He also wanted us to be patient with his quirks.  I remember after my Mom died, my Dad ate his dinners at the hospital cafeteria two blocks from his house.  It might have been for the convenience; maybe for the memory of the last place he saw his wife alive. 

He ate dinner there every evening for over twenty years.  So long, that the employees all thought Al Pokorn actually worked there.  One summer, he was even invited to their company picnic!  I didn’t mind this innocent charade.  But when he won the TV in the employee raffle, I told him he had to give it back! 

We are all a little quirky I suppose.  Today when my children use one of my little sayings, or demonstrate a family value or tradition that has been passed down from father to son, it brings a proud smile to my face (and my heart)! 

So, here’s to my Dad; and your Dad; and everyone’s Dad and their family traditions.  They have helped us all make a difference - a tradition to be passed down. 

GAP 

When life gets tough we could get a helmet… or… we could leverage the peace and share the power of a positive perspective.

Happy Father’s Day this coming Sunday!  Fathers and grandfathers are great, don’t you think?  The memory of my father still brings a proud smile to my face… and to my heart!  If you’re lucky enough to have living fathers and grandfathers, give them a big hug Sunday. 

We fathers are so proud of our children.  And we know the value of that love: 

A father carries pictures where his money used to       be.

Unknown Sage 

Dads know how to be supportive as well.  Kara Goldin, successful businesswoman, offers what many of us have experienced ourselves: 

Dad would say, 'you always think that 'no' means 'maybe' and 'maybe' means 'yes'! 

Of course, there are those times when I actually have to say “no”.  The good news is my children and grandchildren are resilient.  Yours are too I bet.  (Perhaps passed down from their grandfathers?)  If we are tough on our children from time-to-time, they understand - kids know: 

A flustered father, stressed out from his day at work, was unsuccessfully texting his kids to come in for dinner.  Finally, he walks out on his porch and yells for his kids to come in. 

At that point one youngster turns to his brother and asks, ‘I can’t remember, which one am I - Jesus Christ or God Dammit?  

Unknown Sage 

Overall, men have our own, unique view of the world.  Take Mike Jaeger’s: 

Tell a man there are 300 billion stars in the universe and he'll believe you.  Tell him the plate you're handing him is very hot and he'll have to touch it to believe it.

Dads today take pride in continuing to provide a home for their families too, even as the definition of “home” evolves: 

Home, nowadays, is a place where part of the family waits ‘til the rest of the family brings the car back. 

Earl Wilson 

Because my sons have children in their lives, I get to be the grandfather now!   Being the grandfather has responsibilities: 

Sometimes the only difference we can make is passing our wisdom on to someone else who will make the bigger difference. 

Linda B. Gray 

The older I get the more appreciative I am of the love and devotion I received from my father.   He wanted his sons to make a difference.  He also wanted us to be patient with his quirks.  I remember after my Mom died (all too young) my Dad continued eating his dinners at the hospital cafeteria two blocks from his house.  It might have been for the convenience; maybe for the memory of the last place he saw his wife alive. 

He ate dinner there every evening for over twenty years.  Such a long and consistent period of time that the hospital employees all thought Al Pokorn actually worked there.  One summer, he was even invited to their company picnic!  I didn’t mind his innocent charade.  But when he won a TV in the employee raffle, I told him he had to give it back! 

Yes, we are all a little quirky – me too:  

Today when my children use one of my sayings, wear mouse ears, or demonstrate a family tradition that has been passed down from father to son, it brings a proud smile to my face… and my heart! 

So, here’s to my Dad; and your Dad; and everyone’s Dad and their family traditions.  They have helped us all make a difference - a tradition to be passed down. 

GAP 

When life gets tough we could get a helmet… or… we could leverage the peace and share the power of a positive perspective.

To Dad…

Happy Father’s Day coming this Sunday!  Aren’t fathers and grandfathers great?  The memory of my father still brings a proud smile to my face (and my heart!).  If you’re lucky enough to have living fathers and grandfathers, give them a hug Sunday.

We fathers are so proud when our children demonstrate the skill of common sense we hope we have instilled in them:

Kid wisdom:

When your Dad is mad at you and asks you, “Do I look stupid?”  Don't answer him. 

Michael

Sometimes our Dads employ “tough-love”.  The worst years of my life occurred when I tried that approach.  I wasn’t skilled at it; didn’t like the outcome; and today would caution any young father to be wary of this idea.  If I could do it over again, I would do it differently.

The good news is my children are resilient.  Yours are too I bet.  (Passed down from us?)  If we are tough with them from time-to-time, they know it’s not permanent - kids are smart:

A flustered father, stressed out from his day at work, was unsuccessfully texting his kids to come in for dinner.  Finally, he walks out on his porch and yells for his kids to come in. 

At that point one youngster turns to his brother and asks, “I can’t remember, which one am I - Jesus Christ or God Dammit?” 

Unknown Sage

Some men have a very entertaining view of the world.  Take Mike Jaeger’s:

Tell a man there are 300 billion stars in the universe and he'll believe you.  Tell him the plate you're handing him is very hot and he'll have to touch it to believe it.

                                 

Dads today take great pride in continuing to provide a home for their families, even as the definition of “home” evolves:

Home, nowadays, is a place where part of the family waits ‘til the rest of the family brings the car back. 

Earl Wilson

Because my sons have children in their lives, I get to be the grandfather now!   Being the grandfather has responsibilities, too:

Sometimes the only difference we can make is passing our wisdom on to someone else who will make the bigger difference. 

Linda B. Gray

The older I get the more appreciative I am of the love and devotion I received from my father.   He wanted his sons to make a difference.  He also wanted us to be patient with his quirks.  I remember after my Mom died, my Dad ate his dinners at the hospital cafeteria two blocks from his house.  It might have been for the convenience; maybe for the memory of the last place he saw his wife alive.

He ate dinner there every evening for over twenty years.  So long, that the employees all thought Al Pokorn actually worked there.  One summer, he was even invited to their company picnic!  I didn’t mind this innocent charade.  But when he won the TV in the employee raffle, I told him he had to give it back!

We are all a little quirky I suppose.  Today when my children use one of my little sayings, or demonstrate a family value or tradition that has been passed down from father to son, it brings a proud smile to my face (and my heart)!

So, here’s to my Dad; and your Dad; and everyone’s Dad and their family traditions.  They have helped us all make a difference - a tradition to be passed down.

GAP

When life gets tough we could get a helmet… or… we could leverage the peace and share the power of a positive perspective.