Little m Long a

In the interest of being more environmentally friendly, this post contains no less than 98% recycled content.

The Adventurers

Father’s day.

Dad’s all across the country will be heading out to golf courses and ball parks, lakes and rivers, or just to the living room to veg out in the Lazy Boy (well, the lucky ones have Lazy Boys.  My wife has deemed the chair a God-awful eyesore and refuses to allow one in the house.) with a frosty adult beverage sporting that new paisley necktie because–well it’s dad’s day and that’s what dads get to do on their day, right?

Me?  I’ve got other things that need tendin’ cause well, I just do.  Actually, my slate is pretty clear today.  I’ve got nothing to do and all day to do it.   Either way, I can’t be bothered with being creative.  So I thought I’d repost from last year (or the year before, or the year before ….) my thoughts on Father’s Day.  I think it still rings pretty true and it captures what I really feel about this splendid holiday.

Happy Father’s Day.  (originally posted June 16, 2007–Thanks for the Warning, Andy)

Warhol once said, “In the future, everyone will be world famous for 15 minutes.”  I’ve spent my entire life trying to figure out how I was going to leave my mark, my signature.  How will the world know that I was here?  What will be the Legacy of Ed?  I’m nominal, at best when it comes to sports. I can barely hold a tune in a bucket. I don’t play an instrument. I don’t have a best selling novel floating around in my head. Forget business ideas, and I’m not really all that altruistic, so servitude is out.  My wife scoffs at the notion that I could make it as a contemplative monk — though I’d still like to try that one.

Nine years ago this January, I finally got it.  I realized in a single moment on a snowy winter day, how I would be shaping the future, changing the world around me.  My epiphany.

January 18, 2001 at 3:54pm I became a father.

“And the clouds parted to cast a true shadow.”  My idiotic quest for personal glorification died that day as I then came to realize it’s no longer about me.  My life now has purpose, focus and meaning.  My children are my world, they mean everything to me.  And I know now that my legacy, my signature, is them.

Father’s Day is supposed to be about honoring dad, recognizing his sacrifices and his greatness.  I think it should be about the kids.  You guys are my reason, my purpose and my joy.  And let’s face it, without you, Father’s Day would really be just another Sunday in June.

Happy Father’s Day, guys.  I love you.

Happy Father's Day