Author: Barry

Fathers Day – (Authored by the new father himself ;))

Well I’m making my debut on Helen’s… I mean ‘OUR’ blog, to tell you a little about my first Father’s Day experience.

This year I’m just excited to be a father. With Father’s Day coming up I didn’t want any gifts or anything special. Helen asked me a few times if there was anything I might want. I finally said I would love some chocolate chip cookies.  So by Saturday evening the cookies were mine and it wasn’t even Father’s Day yetJ I was working in the yard and came to the window looked in and saw the most adorable site. My little daughter Bella strapped in her pouch with mama in front of the blender helping to make these cookies! This was just a great precursor to the actual day.

Sunday morning Bella woke up hungry as she usually does around 6am, and would you believe it, I got a gift bag delivered to my bedside. First a most kind and gracious card which I shall not read to you, all though I will say it may embellish my accomplishments as a new father.  Flattered I moved on to my gifts, yes multiple presents.

Here I will deviate for a minute from telling my Father’s Day story and let you know I think whoever put these Father’s and Mother’s Day events in order should have put Mother’s day first on the calendar.  As a new parent, and a guy, I didn’t have a guide book as to how these “new holidays” are supposed to be celebrated.  Naturally I thought it was pretty simple. Say Happy Mother’s Day, maybe get a card and be extra thoughtful throughout the day. Meaningful gifts are not always my forte. By placing Mother’s Day first, us guys, namely us new fathers could get the valuable chance of seeing how our spouse might celebrate the “new Holiday”, thus giving us a valuable guide for how we ought to react on their special day. With this now established, I can move on with my story.

Where was I? ahh yes “Multiple gifts”… First I received a great new cycling jersey. If you’re not into cycling, or haven’t ever worn a real cycling jersey, well, they are the best. Keeping you cool, providing pockets on the back for that extra item you may need to take with you. Anyway, I’ve wanted a World Vision Cycling jersey for a while now. It is much more fun to have a jersey that has personal meaning, rather than just a bunch of logo’s and advertisements for who knows what companies. Helen and I sponsor kids from World Vision, and I really like what they are doing to make a difference in this world. So now every time I wear my new jersey, I represent something I care deeply about and it reminds me of the thoughtfulness of my beautiful wife.  Next I pulled out of the bag a very cute mouse pad with a collage of pictures of Isabella and I. I’ve also needed one of these. I wasn’t using a mouse pad and it adds to the responsiveness of the mouse and comfort to me. Not to mention the great pictures and slogan, “My Daddy My Hero”. How is that for some additional motivation when I’m working? I’ve got a lot to live up to with “Hero” being mentioned there. I think it sounds like a lot to live up to. Helen says dads are always their daughter’s hero. I pray this may be the case.

I’ll spare you the details on the rest of my day, as I’ve already talked for so longJ I received a few more cards from my folks and my in-laws. Very caring people who all seem to think I’m doing ok so far as a father. This is actually great to hear, especially because I think they are the greatest sets of parents I’ve ever seen in action! So I think I’ll remember this day for quite some time to come, especially my girls making me cookies, and bringing me gifts bright and early that first Father’s day.  I guess next Mother’s Day I’ll have to “step up” and help Bella make the day special for Mommy who sets the bar pretty high. –~thank you dear

-Barry