Dad left it behind
Years ago, I used to go to T.D.Marshall Elementary School in Dallas. After school, my Grandmother (Dad’s Mother) would pick me up. This was during the time when my Dad used to work for a telephone company called
Southwestern Bell
Man did he work hard!!! During his lunch break. He would stop by my Grandmother’s house and eat.
What was it you say?
Sonic
This was a drive-in burger spot that had some amazing hot dogs. He used to order a
Chili cheese coney
He would eat that, or a burger along with the fries! He then would leave something behind. Upon arrival, I would go downstairs to watch the usual 80s cartoon line up which included
He-Man
Transformers and
Thunder Cats!!!!!
What a time to be in Kindergarten!!!!
What did he leave behind?
I looked at the coffee table and to my delight I saw a half-full cold cup of soda!!!! This was amazing and it was good!!! This is what I learned about leaving good things behind. Especially now that I have children of my own.
Be Patient
I had to realize that my children are children. They don’t know what’s ahead. They may not know where the pitfalls are. So it is up to me to show them the way. They may know how to do it. Remember, they may not be as efficient as you. So be patient, they will get there. They will learn and understand. Be the example. Show them patience.
I don’t know about you. But in certain instances, my patience runs thin. When it comes to children. There comes an extra reserve tank of patience that comes, and I wasn’t aware of it.
Things that used to bother me doesn’t
Words that used to get under my skin don’t
Smells that used to gross me out…
Still grosses me out. (I can’t even lie!!!!)
I learned to love, and to be patient with my children. Even now that they are older,
Using my kind words (As my wife would say)
I would share with them which direction they should take. And then encourage them to go forward. That large fully condensed half-full Sonic drink taught me about leaving patience behind.
Be careful
I also learned that I can not do what I used to do. In the way I used to do it.
Little eyes are watching.
Little ears are listening.
I also had to be careful with whom I associated with. Some people may be good people. They may be a good friend. However, they may not be good for my family. There’s a difference. Hence why my dad left his one drink there. He didn’t hang with a lot of people. He was selective to who he brought around us. So, when he went to lunch, he went to his mom’s house, and left something behind for me.
Over the years I learned to be careful with their little hearts, because they are fragile. Yes, they might be resilient but we are not to take advantage of that. They need us to handle them with kid gloves.
They have feelings too
They have emotions too
They have concerns
Most of the time they can’t express them so, they would cry. It’s up to us to be present in the moment to mend their broken heart or to be there. That large fully condensed, half-full Sonic drink, and placed in a strategic location. A location where I would see it.
The coffee table
This taught me to be careful.
Be loving
As a father, this mechanism may be foreign to us. We too can be loving without being sappy about it. We are men, true, but to be a loving man, and a loving father is better. There are things that we do and say that ring in the hearts of those we love. In the way we do and say them. Resonates different than mothers. Yes, Mom left me something to drink too. But when Dad did it, that let me know that my dad loves me too.
He may show love by
Going to work
Paying Bills
But he also showed me love by teaching me how to
Deal with life and people
Be a good person
A hardworker
And most importantly be a good man
These are some of the ways he showed me that he loved me. He also
Took me to the hosital when my colar bone was fractured.
Was there when I opened my eyes after ear surgery.
Cheered me on when I did well
Told me off when I was wrong (That’s love too)
Picked me up from band practice
Dropped other kids off when their parents could not come
So many other things. These are the things that I remember, and I try to emulate. That large fully condensed, half-full Sonic drink, and placed in a strategic location. A location where I would see it. Most importantly it’s coming from someone who is my hero, my dad.
Conclusion
To all the fathers, grandfathers, step fathers, and father figures. Your work does not go unnoticed. Continue to be patient, careful, and loving. Leave your personal large fully condensed, half-full Sonic drink, and placed in a strategic location behind.
It’s called LEGACY.
Happy Father’s Day
Talk to you later
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