papa

So today is the one day a year dedicated especially to the fathers out there.

I don't have some special Father's Day blog set up for my dad.

That isn't to knock him or anything, I just think that he shines through this blog every single day and doesn't need one day dedicated to him. You know him from the parts of his story I've shared. You know where he's been, what he's done, and how he's made me who I am today.

You all know bits and pieces about my dad, but none of you really know my dad. You may know his vices, but few of you know his virtues.

There were times my dad wasn't much of a dad. That's the truth of the matter.

Truthfully I couldn't imagine my life if my dad had done it a different way though.

To me, being a dad isn't about sheltering your son from the evils of this world, instead it's about preparing him to face them. In some twisted way or another my dad taught me how to deal with things like drugs, addiction, violence, and death. He taught me how to cope but more importantly he taught me how to enjoy.

My dad was far from conventional in his methods, but one way or another I learned.

I'm thankful every single day that my dad walked into a bar some twenty years ago.

...otherwise he might not have met my mom.

Happy Father's Day, Dad. I love you.

NP: Cat's In the Cradle- Harry Chapin