Daddy. The strong, silent type. Well, when he's not taking over mom's duties of calling the children on the carpet for the latest misdeeds or shouting his encouragement at every peewee sporting event.
Daddy. The big tough guy. Except maybe for the day his precious little baby is first born or watching that same child walk down that long aisle for graduation or possibly marriage. Then all bets are off - but those tears are just "something in my eye." Of course they are.
Daddy. Whose wallet is often used as a never-ending supply of cash for everything from the medical co-pay for a child's first stitches, the fees for any and all extra curricular activities and for the everyday needs like groceries (Oh my god! Teenagers can sure pack it away!) And once in awhile that cash supply may go towards college, helping buy that first car or first home, starting a new business or some other important endeavor. On some occasions, it goes into bail money when junior decides to borrower the family car on a drunken joy ride with friends or other misadventure.
Daddy. Giver of horsey rides, maker of weird faces and adept at fart jokes and other fun, funny activities. In later years, he is the wearer of back braces, Bengay® and other medical devices and ointments as those horsey rides and other rough play catch up to him.
Daddy. The provider of driving lessons and fatherly advice. Sometimes at the same time. Didn't know steering a car could be such a life lesson metaphor until he mentioned it, did you? Avoid those "trees", folks.
Daddy. Master of the outdoor grill. Unless mom or eldest son or other family member or close friend has commandeered it for the day, in which case aren't hammocks and lemonade wonderful inventions? Oh, would you toss the salad and cut the bread, dear? So much for relaxing in the hammock.
Daddy. Even the "absent" ones influence their children's lives, with every phone call and every visitation. They make the most of whatever time they can get with their precious progeny. And although they may be adored from afar physically, they are never far from their child's heart.
Daddy. Even the ones who have completely disappeared from their child's life still have left at least a fragment of themselves in the form of their genetic legacy. Temperament, certain talents and abilities, as well as appearance have been passed on. And it is up to the child to make the most of what has been endowed to them. It's possible that this particular dad may think of their offspring from time to time, too, even if they have no further contact. How sad that he is missing some of the greatest adventure of all time by not being a more concrete presence in their lives.
And for the rest who are definitely involved dads - Happy Father's Day!
