Ours is a family that works hard and like a lot of dads, I try to pass that along to my kids, not by talking about it, but by doing the work right alongside them.
“Dad, I want to be better than so-and-so.”
“Well…do you see them here right now?”
“No.”
“I don’t either. So you’re already doing the hard part. Keep going, there are no shortcuts.”
That usually leads to hours in the batting cage, where I throw pitch after pitch until my arm's about ready to fall off. I’m told often, and without hesitation, that I need to throw better. Higher. Lower. Slower. Faster. I take it a little personally, but not much. The truth is, I want to get better too. So I stay. And we keep going.
Father’s Day is a chance to pause and feel grateful for this kind of time. For the opportunity to show up, to serve my kids in quiet, ordinary ways, and to help them grow into who they’re meant to be. I won’t always get it right but I’ll always show up. And I’ll always tell them I love them.
Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there. I hope your kids put you to work today. We’re off to the cages now, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.