I re-learned another great lesson recently, and yes, it was from a boy, or I should say a man of 18. During his evaluation for enlistment in the US Air Force I asked him one of the routine questions. “Yes,” he answered. “I was suspended once from school.” “Tell me about,” it I urged. “I wasn’t a very popular kid and one of the boys who was, dared me to slap this girl on the butt. And sure enough, a teacher saw me.” “What grade were you in, sixth?” “No, I was old enough to know better; I was in tenth.” “How many days did that get you?” “Three!” “Bet that made your dad pretty happy,” I mused. Not quite! He was really upset. It was the last three days before spring break. He made me mow our three acres with a push lawn mower. By the time I finished, the first part was ready to mow again, so I had mow the whole thing over again! By then it was Sunday so he said I did a great job and should go out with my fiends and have a good time.” “Was that a fair punishment?” I asked.
“It was a lot of work and gave me lots of time to think. I didn’t like it, but all in all, I guess it was fair.” At the end of the visit while shaking his had I notice his green T-shirt with this message: “When the going in life gets tough, call MY DAD”. “That’s an interesting message on your shirt,” I commented. “It’s so true! I have an awesome dad. He’s the best in the world. I hope I can be like him!” “I’m sure you will be!” I pondered. Great dads are kind, fair, and tough; they know that the only real love is tough love. Kids respect, love, and emulate that kind of dad. We all do! Be that kind of dad!