The promise of a gift

A couple of weeks ago, my son asked me for the first time this year, “Dad, what do you want for Father’s Day?” 

Simple enough. And like many of you (for Father’s or Mother’s Day), I hadn’t given it any thought, and I really didn’t have any idea. In fact, there was nothing that I really wanted.

But over the next several days, the question would pop up again. And sometimes my son would provide possibilities. He knows I like bad movies, so it wasn’t a surprise when he asked, “Dad, how about Karate Kid 3? Would you like that for Father’s Day?” Yes, that is one we’ve talked about getting.

“Or how about . . .” and you can fill in the blank.

But it’s really hard to know what to want on a made up holiday, especially when I’m not even sure what it is we’re celebrating. Is it a celebration of me being their dad? Is it a chance to honor me, give me a special day? Or should it be a time to honor us as a family, do something together?

Or maybe I should look at it as an honor just to be a father. To have great kids. Talented kids. Kids who are so similar, yet so completely different. With different abilities and characteristics. Different strengths and weaknesses. Different hopes and dreams. And to have kids who are healthy.

Maybe it’s a day that celebrates both – that honors the father and the family.

Then a couple of days ago, we were talking when a completely new topic came up. “Dad, if you ever need to, you can live with me.”

I was taken aback. “What do you mean?” I asked.

“You know, when you’re older. If you need to, you can live with me. For as long as you like. And I’ll take care of you.”

My son didn’t realize it, but he had just given me the best Father’s Day gift I could ever receive. One that I would remember for always. One that made me think that maybe, just maybe, I had done a couple of things right along this parenting road.

Sure, I’m still looking forward to a bad movie to add to my collection. But the promise of a gift I may never need will be what I remember most from this Father’s Day.