Sunday, June 20, 2010

My Husband the Father

We took our kids fishing Friday evening. 

Our kids are young and enthusiastic, but inexperienced and uncoordinated.  And I hadn't been fishing in a few years, myself. 

I watched my husband bait hooks, replace hooks, cast, reel, unhook fish, encourage, and reassure my kids tirelessly for three hours.  I was awed by his endless patience and ceaseless enthusiasm.   

He calmly unwound my daughter's fishing line from my son's head and then rather patiently reminded my daughter that she was to wait before trying to cast by herself.

He helped my son change bait at least 10 times each hour and good naturedly  indulged my son when he insisted that he use the biggest lure in the box.  He also removed it two minutes later when my son  realized his father had been right, and never said a word.

He constantly reminded my daughter to watch the bobber and didn't seem to mind that she was becoming more interested in picking up rocks and kicking dirt.

He ran the fifty yards between my two kids, attending to all their needs, never once refuting my son's intuition that the spot he found so far away was "lucky."  

And he just laughed when my son gave up fishing in favor of engaging the ducks.


He baited and casted and untangled and rebaited, all in good spirit.  

All on a sprained ankle.

All evening long.

And, all the while, his rod remained on shore, dry and unbaited .  Not once did he get a chance to drop a line of his own.

And yet he spoke from his heart when he insisted that he was having the most fun of all.


Here's to you, Honey, and to all fathers everywhere . . . for it was Friday night that I finally realized, there were many afternoons when my own father never got in his own line . . .

You make my children better people,

You make me a better woman.

I love you.



17 comments:

Lyn said...

Oh what a lovely post.
Love
Lyn
xxx

Four Seasons in a Life said...

Dear Renee,

Thank you for sharing in detail the events of an early Fathers Day with the children. It made me wish my children were young again, but my son has to work today and my daughter is still sleeping.

Wishing you all the very best,
Egmont

Weza said...

Fantastic post. It does the heart good to watch our husbands father.
xxx

Gail said...

Hey there,

this is one of the best posts I've read in ages.
thanks chick. There'll be a bit more hubby appreciating happening in our house.
Gailx

Glennis said...

What a wonderful guy. What a wonderful dad.

The Quintessential Magpie said...

What a lovely post, Renee!

XO,

Sheila :-)

fromsophiesview said...

You are so fortunate...that's all I can say....I licked my Daddies all over again as I do everyday...I'm no fool!!! wink wink

Chicken Boys said...

Sounds like you have the perfect man. Makes me wish I could be a dad. Does he do laundry, too? LOL Sounds like, in spite of all your trials, you have a wonderful life. Have a pleasant week, sweetie.
~Randy

Di in Indiana said...

He sounds like a keeper!! It sounds like it was a great family time.

Rose said...

I love this story. Thanks for sharing it with us. And what wonderful memories you all made that night. That memory will always be precious to you and your children.

With love,

Rose

Tea said...

What a great dad! Your kids are so blessed.

It's so great to really appreciate the things our husbands do. You make me think of my own husband and the things I appreciate about him. -Thanks for sharing, this was lovely.

Tina said...

Wow. You "hooked" a treasure there. Congrats.

D. Jean Quarles said...

What a lovely post. Thanks so much for sharing it. What a blessing.

Jim said...

Aw-w-w! How nice.You have something very special. Thanks for sharing.

Knitty said...

I have a lump in my throat. That was beautiful!

Unknown said...

Melt my heart beautiful write, my friend.

Had a wonderful day with you & your daughter ... we'll do this a lot more often. Thank you.

Hugs, Marydon

Jenny said...

What a great post!!!

That sounds like a really special memory was made on that fishing trip!!!

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