Jeff’s Dark and Early Blog

My first official Father’s Day as a dad was filled with family, food and a few simple reminders about what matters most.

We celebrated the holiday all weekend, as I’m sure most families do.  I took Saturday off from anything around the house.  My wife bought me a massage, cooked some of the best short ribs I’ve ever had and I got to watch 13 innings of baseball as my Cubs defeated the Cleveland Indians.  That afternoon, I had unlimited hours with my nine month old son.  We played, we laughed and we all went to bed with the satisfaction of a much needed Saturday full of relaxation.

But it was not until Sunday that I saw a first hand example of what makes the holiday special.

My father-in-law, Duane, is a typical American guy.  He works hard, loves his family, and spends a lot of time infatuated by cars and sports.  Needless to say, we get along just fine, and because my wife and I live in Johnson County, he gets to see us on a regular basis.  His other kids don’t live so close.

So I watched on Sunday as he spent time with two of his daughters, his son, his dauther-in-law, and two of his sons-in-law.  His other daughter wasn’t able to make it to town, but his face lit up when she called to wish him Happy Father’s Day.

As I watched a father with his grown children on a holiday reserved for such togetherness, I couldn’t help but keep my eyes on my own son, so little, playing with his toys in Duane’s living room.

Life happens in a heartbeat.  One day you’re in diapers.  The next, you’re gone.  Ethan has no choice but to spend Father’s Day with me right now.  He’s only a little boy and his daddy is still the apple of his eye.  I only hope I’m as lucky as Duane someday, and share the day with children who choose to be with me, even if it means traveling long distance, because of the obvious impact I’ve made on their lives.