It was a pretty long weekend for me. I ended up working seven hours on Saturday and I was the song leader on Sunday so there was another five hours. We had three social engagements scheduled for the afternoon – 
all ones I was looking forward to.
As often happens, the adrenaline wears off on Sunday afternoons shortly after lunch and I crash.
Yesterday I found myself lying in the shade at my sister’s house with my whole family (mom, dad, sister’s family, my family) within earshot. The combination put me in a reflective mood. Since it was Father’s Day I engaged my mind in the pursuit of some memories about my dad and figured I might as well share them with my Twitter and Facebook friends. Now I need to add some detail because sometimes 140 characters just isn’t enough.
I’ve written about my dad before and someday, when it’s time to write my memoirs, there will be a lot more. Here’s the first of 5 of my favorite things about my dad.
1. Watching my dad frolic with my kids in the kiddie pool. Awesome.
Dad was hilarious yesterday, splashing around in a pool that was 2 feet deep like he was 2 feet tall. The sight of a grown man clowning around and five grandkids between 4 and 7-yrs-old in a state of constant laughter is a beautiful, beautiful site. The best part is that it reminds me of my own childhood and the way my dad often made me laugh.
For example – when I was about 5 I begged my dad to take us for a run around the block. Living in the country this would probably have been at least a 5k hike. After a long period of incessant begging, dad sent us all inside to get ready and with great excitement we did.
You can imagine how excited my mom must have been about the prospect of setting out on a 5k hike with a 5-yrd-old and an 8-yr-old, one of which she would probably have to carry for the second 2.5k after reality set in and ambition died. 
But as for me, I had visions of running on the sides of roads I’d only ever seen from the safety of a car window, waving to people as they drove by in their cars. Suckers! This was really going to be something!
We got ready, got pumped, then dad led the charge. Out we ran, following dad, who had placed a concrete block in the middle of our yard.
We ran around that block, and then stopped. Mission accomplished.
I didn’t find it very funny at the time. Now I think it’s hilarious.
Dad taught me that a mark of a real man is the ability to act like a child at the right time in the right place. If you’ve ever wondered why I can be a bit of a clown, look at the picture of the man above – I get it from him.
Tomorrow: Cool fact about my dad: he had some ‘age spots’. Solution: sand paper and a utility knife.
More From The Ascent to Truth
- Pastor and PK (Pastor’s Kid) – Talking about music is like dancing about architecture…
- A Detailed History of the Future 1 – McLuhan, Postman, and Source Material – Talking about music is like dancing about architecture…
- A Torrent of Information – Talking about music is like dancing about architecture…
