A Father’s Way

I’ve been very blessed in my life, to have lived as long as I have lived. To go places that I have gone, to do things that I have done. I’ve met people bad and good, mostly good. In my life, in my travels and in the people that I have met, I’ve always found something that I could glean from it or them that I could add to my own life.  Like most people, the people that influence you in your youth are the people closest to you, and I was fortunate to have my mother, father, my brothers and sisters at close hand for all my young life. 

Looking back now, right now, at this moment, I am trying to recall one time where I heard my father say Curtis,{ I love you son}. At the time and in those moments, I don’t think I would have needed to hear those words from my dad if I hadn’t saw it on television. I saw Andy Taylor on the Andy Griffith show tell Opie, he loved him. I saw leave it to beaver’s dad tell him, I love you beav. I even saw James Evans from good times, living in the projects tell JJ{ I love you son} and Michael  and Thelma too. 

My dad had his own way of showing his family he loved them. My dad had four sons and three daughters and even right now, I’m trying to remember ever hearing him say the words I love you. Now, in my imagination, I’m sure my dad did the whole Lion King dedication and he held each one of his sons up and said the only thing greater than you. That’s my imagination and that’s the movies . 

We all know that dads get the short end of the stick when it comes to showing our appreciation for them. Our dad paid the bills, they bought the groceries, they teach us right from wrong, they keep a roof over our heads and make sure that we have a safe place to sleep, through good times and bad times. 

When the gas got shut off, we cooked on the grill or in the fireplace and we huddled around the fireplace at night to keep warm. Spending time together, not realizing that this was quality time, just not realizing it at that moment. Not realizing the sacrifices dads make for their families. 

The working of two jobs, To keep groceries in the refrigerator and the lights on in the house. Dad didn’t get to make all the band recitals, baseball games, swim meets or football practices. He had more important things to do, like making sure that when your shoes had a hole in them, he made sure you had a new pair.  

My dad did all that he was supposed to do in raising his children. He raised us to have respect and to trust in God. He showed us how a man is supposed to conduct himself in the world. He stayed when times got hard for everyone, while other fathers were abandoning their families for whatever reason. My dad stayed. For better for worse my dad stayed. 

And yes, we did the typical thing on Father’s Day and bought him the old spice Cologne and the handkerchief the socks. One year I believe we bought him a box of cured meat. Like every year, he made us feel good about the gifts we had bought him. As if we had bought him a brand-new Chevy 1500 pickup truck. It’s what he would have wanted, it’s what he deserved, but he was satisfied with Just having the big piece of chicken. 

My dad had his way of showing us that he loved us and we all knew that he did. I may not remember him ever saying it, but I knew he loved us all. Actions speak louder than words. What was your father’s way?

Smoke That Over.    

#IAmHUmanRu