Another Father’s Day has arrived. I am often reminded of how much I loved my father as a small child. I say as a small child because, after the age of six, I never saw him again. He seemed to be really into me…as the kids say. He would hoist me on his shoulders and I felt like the king of the world.

When I became a father I determined that I wanted to be a good one. Of course, the reviews are still out. They say life changes when you become a parent…and it remains changed for the rest of your days. I read that the primary thing that kids need from their fathers is that they are present for them. I have never been a sportsman nor a fisherman but I did take Aaron and Jonathon to the Saluki Football games in the 90s’ and while they watched the game I watched people. Every now and then one of them would ask me if I was enjoying the game and I responded with a hearty yes! Then they would ask me if I knew what was going on and I would say, ‘Pretty good.’

One cold winter I decided that a perfect way to make some extra money was to deliver Telephone Books. We had Phone Books coming out of our ears! For three days I drove Aaron and Jonathon down snow-covered roads and then trudged up to each front porch to hand-deliver the Directories. When we had completed the Herculean task we each had $38 and MJ told me that she needed my $38 for groceries.

We traveled a lot for a working family. We took a Great Eastern Vacation and a Great Western Vacation. Gatlinburg was a go-to destination and for many years we were there on multiple occasions. I wanted my sons to go further than the DuQuoin State Fair.

MJ and I have the focus of our lives on Aaron and Jonathon. Their joys and triumphs resonate with us… We are all going to Maine this September with my brother Brock and my sister-in-law Marcy. Yes, we still take family vacations!

Dad is the greatest title that I have ever had bestowed upon me! It has meant everything to me to…do it right. I read another article that said that although we have the loftiest of goals as fathers…our kids see us 24/7. They see us in our most unlofty conditions. The experience us at our worst. I never read Bill Cosby’s popular book on how to be a good father…I simply put my heart into it with all of my awkwardness and ignorance…and love…