Patriachy

The Beaver Clan
My boys have an awesome father.  I married a man that really give 100% of himself to his kids.  He is the TRI in the Beaver Trifecta. He's opened a world of hobbies to my boys. They fish, golf and garden together.  There's a lot that goes into these hobbies.  More than the act of say fishing is the conversations that go on during the 2.5 + hour event.  Matt's a quiet guy, so when you get them in a setting where they are relaxed, some of the greatest father/ son conversations take place. For example, "Dad, did you just see that kangaroo?"  "Dad, would you rather be a tiny hamster or a giant rhino?" "Dad, how did god die?" OK that last one was a stumper, but you get it.

He's also taught my sins the value of an education.  He's wading through the experience right in front of them.  Spending 3-4 hours a day studying, reading, taking notes, etc.  Showing them how hard you have to work to be successful.  That success doesn't come easy, that it comes at a cost and much of that cost is less time with them.

He's shared his love of the Cubbies.  Friday morning James woke Matt up to tell him he needed to get dressed because they were headed to Chicago to watch the team take down the Red Sox.  Matt told James it was to early to go back to bad. Ha!  After 3 minutes of convincing, these two were skipping out the door and on their way to a day they wont forget.

The Phelan Clan

My dad is am amazing father. He always listens and gives great advice. Like, "This too shall pass." "The play never changes, just the actors."   He also got me through some tough times when I was a teenager.  Having been over weight, I was made fun of daily.  I remember there were nights I'd be crying, hating myself- who I was- letting the aholes define me.  There would be the tap, tap, tapping noise on my door and in my dad would come. "I've been there," he would tell me.  He'd share his story, feelings, never judged me by agreeing with the others.  Opening a window, a possibility that I didn't have to stay that way.

My dad is an amazing grandfather.  Both of my boys crackle with excitement when they hear his voice.  There is this brightness that overcomes them just knowing he is coming near. The countless hours he has spent playing with them, teaching them how and what an imagination is, raising baby cows for all the grand kids- these are things I can never do.  

Recently, I overheard a few conversations with him and James.  Familiar conversations- conversations that are a little more serious than he has had to have with him in the past. James listened and responded.  As the boys get older, I now that their circle of influence needs to expand.  I also know that in the next 2 years their circle will need to move further north so that it can have a bigger influence on their daily lives.  

So on this day, may all the fathers in my life and yours take the day to celebrate what becoming a father has done to them.  How has this role changed them? I know without a doubt that becoming a father has changed Matt- he still cries at commercials and never sleeps past 7am.  Happy Father's Day to all the fabulous dads out there.