We get lumped in with Grads...
You see it everywhere. The sales. The promotions. Even the Card Store...
Dads and Grads
But you don't see "Mothers and Others." There is no acceptance of "bundling" Mother's Day. Instead, it is revered. And Mothers deserve a day... or more than a day. But so do Dads. After all, aren't we more than just sidekicks for "Grads?"
But that isn't all...
Bill Cosby had a routine years ago about a Dad going out every day and playing catch with his son. they would play football for hours, passing the ball back and forth. Dad was at every game and cheering him on, taking on the role of personal coach. The boy would get better and better, until he got to college. Then, walking off the field after winning a big game, the TV cameras would turn his way... and he would say... "Hi Mom!"
Tool sales are nice...
I mean seriously nice. As a Dad, and a guy that LOVES tools, not much beats a good tool sale. But there are Dads out there that aren't really tool guys, what do they get?
They get to grill...
So, for Mother's Day, Mom gets the day off from kitchen duty (deserved) and a trip to a nice restuarant. There she doesn't have to cook or clean up. She gets to enjoy a nice meal out. In fact, Mother's Day is like Christmas for the food industry... one of the busiest days of the year for restuarants.
Dad gets to grill. "Here's a steak, cook it yourself... sure, have a beer while you do it. And while you are at it, cook for the rest of us, too." That's not fair. Outback Steakhouse is NOT offering a special promotion for Father's Day. I haven't heard ANY radio ads that say "open early for Father's Day" but last month that was a staple for many eateries.
So, here is the bottom line.
Go thank your Dad...
He's the guy that:
- brought you into his world, and can take you out...
- found a mower with a lower handle just so you would be able to mow the grass...
- sacrificed his own body playing tackle football with you... no pads...
- almost drown swimming after your runaway sailboat...
- gave you "The Speech"... and had your eyes rolled any more, you could have seen your own brain...
- taught you to drive sideways on a snowy parking lot...
- took you to a NASCAR race...
- took you to your first high school football game when you were barely old enough to walk... and you got passed around by the cheerleaders (because you were cute)...
- took you camping even though he HATED it... and never complained... but you did end up in a hotel near the end of the trip...
- took you bike riding, even though he looked like a total dork on a bike...
- followed you to school when you were little... staying out of sight because you wanted to do it alone...
And probably a million other things. And yes, my Dad did every one of those things. And a million others.
Thanks Dad. I miss you.
Lewis L. Bailey, Jr.
1932-1997
Unless otherwise noted, all content of this blog is the property of Lane Bailey, ©2012 Lane Bailey.
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