Two candid Internet photos of fathers being exceptional dads bring a lump to the throat, a tear to the eye and a smile to the lips.
One shows a little girl dressed up like the Big Bad Wolf. She’s beaming at the camera as she’s being held by her smiling, bearded dad – who’s gamely dressed up as Little Red Riding Hood. “She wanted to be the wolf,” the man explained.
The other photo was shot in a home improvement store. It’s the back of a dad and his young son, both sporting homemade “super hero” capes. The man who captured the image posted it on Reddit with the caption, “I know a good dad when I see one.” It got nearly 1.7 million comments the first 48 hours it was live.
It’s that time of the year again to celebrate all those devoted dads – the compassionate men who go that extra mile to let their children know they are precious, respected and deeply loved. They’re easy to spot, and they don’t even have to be wearing a red riding hood or a cape.
These are the guys who need four times as long to plant a garden, because they’re allowing their toddlers to help by dumping entire seed packets in one hole. They’re the ones who make pancake happy faces for the kids, complete with banana slices for eyes and a big maple syrup smile.
They’re the accomplished Black Diamond skiers who spend several days on the bunny slopes until their daughters are confident enough to take ski class, and graduate to the real trails. They’ve watched Frozen at least 5,000 times, and can sing “Under the Sea” with the right Jamaican accent and appropriate crab claw choreography. They’ve sat through more recitals, plays, sports events and graduations – even the kindergarten ones – than can be counted. They kiss boo-boos, hand over the car keys, escort their princesses to daddy-daughter dances and shoot hoops with the kids, even when it’s not exactly convenient.
“In family life, be completely present,” wisely said Lao Tzu. The difference between a ‘father’ and a ‘dad’ is that dads get what it means to be a present and involved parent, mixing gentle guidance with an abundance of respect and delight in the people their children are becoming. They encourage their kids’ natural curiosity and sense of discovery and wonder. They even venture outside of their own comfort zone to support their children on adventures.
One dad said he first started playing tennis, and through the years became a high school tennis coach, after his daughter expressed an interest in the sport when she was 10. “Heck,” the dad admitted, “I would have jumped out of airplanes if that’s what she would have wanted to do!”
A dad knows to gain respect, he must likewise show deference to his children. Back in the early ‘90s, shortly after the movie A League of Their Own launched Tom Hanks into the celebrity stratosphere, he, his family and some friends were visiting Disneyland. It wasn’t a publicity event, but just a private outing without photographers or fans cramping their fun. At one point Tom’s young son wanted to tell him something, and tugged on Tom’s sleeve. Tom immediately stopped and crouched down to be at eye level, respectfully listening to his son’s every word. That’s the epitome of being a great dad.
To all the compassionate men going the extra mile to raise kind-hearted, thoughtful children – we salute you. You truly are superheroes.
Dads, moms and everyone else are invited to rediscover their own inner superhero at the Optimum Health Institute missions in San Diego and Austin, Texas. Our caring team can help you achieve your mental, physical, emotional and spiritual goals for optimal health. Visit our website at www.optimumhealth.org , and call us at (800) 993-4325 to make your reservation.