Fathers – Easier to Become One Than to Be One

Father’s Day – the third Sunday in June – was first celebrated in Spokane, Washington on June 19, 1910. It did not become an official holiday until 1972. That’s when Richard Nixon signed a bill put forth by Lyndon Johnson in 1966.

Just in case you hadn’t noticed, this Sunday is the third Sunday in June.

I have compiled some advice and observations regarding fatherhood for all stages of a man’s life.

For the new father, former Major League baseball player Jimmy Piersall offered this advice on how to diaper a baby:

“Spread the diaper in the position of a baseball diamond with you at bat. Then fold second base down to home and set the baby on the pitcher’s mound. Put first base and third base together, bring up home plate and pin the three together. Of course, in case of rain, you gotta call the game and start all over again.”

Red Buttons recommended never raising a hand to your kids. “It leaves your groin unprotected” he warned.

Baseball slugger Harmon Killebrew, who passed away in 2011, carried this memory of his father from his childhood to his grave. “My father used to play with my brother and me in the yard. Mother would come out and say ‘You’re tearing up the grass!’ ‘We’re not raising grass’ my Dad replied. We’re raising boys.”

Mark Twain offered this observation about his father: “When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much he had learned in seven years.”

Others have described a father as “a person who carries pictures where his money used to be.” Or “a person who has progressed from believing in Santa Claus, to not believing in Santa Claus, to being Santa Claus.”

I found one story about two little girls, on their way home from Sunday School, who were solemnly discussing their Sunday School lesson. “Do you believe there is a devil?” asked one. “No” said the other. “It’s like Santa Claus; it’s your father!”

Shakespeare wisely wrote “When a father gives to his son, both laugh; when a son gives to his father, both cry.”

William Wordsworth had this to say: “Father! To God Himself we cannot give a holier name.”

If you are lucky, your dad is someone you look up to, no matter how tall you get. And if you are very lucky, your dad is still around – even if you are a Baby Boomer.

Happy Father’s Day to my Dad in Heaven! We bumped heads a little back in the days when I knew everything.

Dad – if it is any consolation, I imagine all the sleep you lost and the aggravation I caused you in my younger days helped you get to heaven sooner than you would have if I hadn’t been so hardheaded.

My Mom & Dad married young. They celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary a month before my Mom passed away. Dad joined her a year later.

Here is a Father’s Day trip down memory lane with two kids who raised two kids.

Left to right – My Dad age 20, My Mom, age 18 & Me, age 0

In 1950 my little brother joined the family.

My Dad teaching me to make fudge.

My dad attempting to turn me into a carpenter.

My brother and I were model children – not onery at all!

My Dad & Mom looking forward to the “empty nest” syndrome

This picture was taken on Halloween in 2012. My Mom passed away the next day. Pictured with her and my Dad are a baby calf (Brooklyn) and Batman (Gavin) ,their two Jefferson City based great-grandchildren. Dad joined her on Oct.26,2013. I was blessed to have a good Dad & Mom.

Robert H. Reece – October 30, 1928 – October 26, 2013

Aunita E. Reece – January 14, 1930 – November 1, 2012