UPDATE: See submitted photos of dads, sons and daughters at the gallery link below.

 

When Jacob was just a wee little boy, we bought his dad a Father’s Day card that played “Watching You” by Rodney Atkins.  If the 2006 country tune doesn’t ring a bell, it goes like this:

 

“I’ve been watching you Dad. Ain’t that cool? I’m your buckaroo; I wanna be like you.”

 

It seemed perfect because whenever Jeff was working out in the yard, tinkering around – or fishing, Jake was on his heels. With his little plastic lawn mower, he followed him up and down the rows until the yard was cut. He also loved going with his daddy in the company truck when he delivered his wholesale route. Jeff would let him carry a roll of bologna or box of wieners and let him help deliver to little country grocery stores and mom and pop restaurants. Often, the store owners would give him a piece of candy or a drink and make over him. At age four or five, that just seems cute, but he wasn’t just playing. He was learning from his dad – as his three siblings had before him.

 

Dads play a different role than moms. When little kids are hungry, tired or not feeling well, it’s often mom they want. But Dad holds a very special place all his own – one of deep love, loyalty and dependability, but with a flipside of fun. From the time he becomes a father, he has a little shadow that strives to be like him. From his example, those little shadows learn to hit a ball, put line on a fishing reel, work with their hands - or cut grass.

 

I’ve learned many things from my own dad – from patience and perseverance to work ethic and an appreciation for the little things. I have wonderful 50-year-old memories starring the man of whom I was in awe of as a little girl and continue to be to this day.

 

Happy Father’s Day to all you dads out there. Keep up the good work. Today and any day is a good time to treasure moments with your dad and think about all the things you learned from his example. And if you’d like, let me know what those things are and send me a picture of you and your dad – or you and your little buckaroo and I’ll add them to this blog.

 

Send your photos with names of those  pictured to julie@connect-bridgeport.com.