Happy Father's Day 2013

December 1962 with my dad, Bill.

My dad has been dead for more than 20 years, and yet, he shows up in all of his grandchildren in some way, shape or form from time to time and I just laugh.

Channeling Bill Buckley.

When I saw Peter with the black socks and the Addidas slides I had to take a picture - that was vintage Bill Buckley. Now it's the norm to sport this look (um...why??) but when I took this picture two years ago, I don't recall it being so.

Marco with Peter and with Bella in 2011

My own kids hit the dad jackpot when they were born to Marco. I have said it many times in the past and I will say it many times into the future, he is an amazing dad. I don't believe he has ever intentionally missed one baseball game (and there have been hundreds) whereas I have missed more than I have seen. Of course, that means he may have missed a few lacrosse games so I win for attending more of them. He gave them a bath EVERY single night of their lives up until they started showering. He has the patience of a saint while I tend to perhaps, just maybe, fly off the handle a little quicker. He can see both sides to every story, much to my annoyance, when all I want to do is be pissed off. My kids are supremely lucky to have been raised by their dad and I know they know it.

Being a parent isn't easy. There is no manual; there are only the examples we were shown from our own dads, and sometimes, that wasn't pretty. I know many a man who made the decision at a young age, that when and if they had kids, they were not going to follow in the footsteps of their own father's behavior. I know many a man who struggle to be the kind of dad their own was. I know many exemplary men who are terrific dads because they want to be. I know many a single mom doing the job of both parents. 

Here's to you all, have an awesome day.

http://youtu.be/P0QGJTdl7-0That everyday I see
Oh I hope I see
I hope everyday I see
A little more of my father in me
http://youtu.be/P0QGJTdl7-0