More than beer and football

As I was at the grocery store this week, I decided to peruse some of the Father's Day cards on the racks.

After about the fifteenth one, I was frustrated. Not just at the fact that I hadn't found one, but the fact that these cards spoke volumes of how we view our fathers, and who they are.

These cards were cynical, crude, or sarcastic. Almost all of them mentioned TV, beer, or in some way celebrated the absence of male leadership. What?

As I turned my back on the card aisle, I reflected on how blessed I am to not be able to identify my father with those cards.

My dad works hard. Harder than most people I know. He supports his family. He doesn't shirk responsibilities. But he knows to leave work at work. He knows that home is for family.

My dad encourages my brother and I in our endeavors. Even though he was an athlete, he attended all of our music concerts, and never once tried to derail us from that path. He has listened to "Tell Me Ma" over a hundred times, yet still he taps his foot and whistles quietly.
When I started swimming -- his sport, his stroke -- he cheered me on, gave me tips, and loved me even when I came in last. He also understood and supported me when it was too much and I quit. I never felt his displeasure when I chose other activities.

My dad is dedicated to his family. I will never forget the outings with Daddy when we were little. He never tried to pawn us off on babysitters. He took us to the park, the zoo, nature trails, his laboratory, and museums. He was constantly educating us by choosing to spend time with us. Even now, he is willing to take a day off from work to pick me up from school, to spend Saturdays at our events, and just be present.

My dad knows how to make me feel loved. My dad has affirmed me with gentleness, kindness, and respect from birth. I have never doubted his love. I have never felt the need to earn his love.

My dad loves his family more than himself. He respects his wife. He respects our faith. Even though he doesn't walk the same path with us, he continues to attend church with us faithfully. Out of respect to us. Out of dedication to us. Out of love for our family, and for our unity.

The best way to love your children is to love their mother. My dad gets this. He does it well. I feel secure in my parents' love for each other. I have never doubted their faithfulness to each other, their commitment to their marriage regardless of the circumstances.

I am blessed to have a dad who's a true father. Who is present. Respectful. Devoted. Who loves well.

Does he like Michigan football? You bet. Is he more than that? You bet.