By Tim Leeds
I didn't consider all of the fringe benefits in becoming a father when I had my two boys. Actually, I enjoy being around my kids enough that I don't really need any other benefits, but it is kind of nice.
But just consider, I probably never would have had the chance to change as many "poopy" diapers if I hadn't become a father. If I hadn't had my second son, I never would have had to break up as many sibling squabbles. And you never consider how much laundry having just one young boy, not to mention two, can add to your workload.
It's all worth it. I love having my kids around. I never would have expected how much fun it is. And, of course, there's Father's Day.
A whole day set aside just to celebrate fatherhood. I kind of like it. My Father's Day this year should be rather fun.
Of course, my wife isn't a father. She gets to work the whole weekend. I guess my celebration will include watching my kids, doing the laundry, maybe cleaning the house some, and cooking the meals. (My wife might be planning to do these things on top of her weekend shifts at the Big K, but it doesn't seem fair to me to make her do it.)
That's OK. Doing laundry and cleaning house aren't high on my list of good times, but there is a lot of satisfaction in finishing a job that needs to be done. The cooking should be a good time. I do love to cook. I think I get that from my father's family, mainly. He didn't cook much, but he loved to do it when he had to. (That doesn't seem to make sense, but it was how it was. He usually only cooked if my mom had to be away, but he liked doing it then.) Most of his brothers loved to cook, too. I understand they were pretty good at it.
My favorite cooking is barbecuing, especially since a couple of weeks ago I finally got the gas grill we acquired running. I already bought my family's Father's day gift to me for myself. A pack of country-style pork ribs, which I plan to cook on the gas grill to celebrate Sunday. I haven't decided yet what to fix with them, although it will probably include french fries. When I cook, or order at a restaurant, it doesn't really matter what the entree is. French fries usually end up in there somewhere.
It sounds like a good Father's Day to me. I'll be with my family, (hey, what else is Father's Day about,) doing things I enjoy (or at least can feel good about.) What more could a father want?
One of the best parts is that I'll have the day off. Over the last 12 years, while I was working sales, I rarely got a holiday off. Especially since I managed to change jobs every two years or so. Just about the time I would qualify for holiday or vacation pay, or get enough tenure to be moved off of the "work the holiday" list, it seemed I would quit and start a new job, or the company I worked for would close and I would have to find a new job. That might be one of the best things about working for the paper, is the 8 to five, Monday through Friday work, except when I have to work nights or weekends.
Everybody is different. Sunday is a day for fathers. Do something special for Dad, whatever it is he likes to do.
