Dad?

There I was. 7 years old. Sitting in the middle seat of my dad's truck holding on to him and the seat belt. We sat there for seconds peering into a good 20 foot mud puddle in the middle on some construction site in Carmel, California.

Main concern: Can be make a splash big enough to justify the trouble we were about to get in?

The 1994 Ford F-350 dualy lurched forward spitting dirt out the 4 spinning rear tires. I felt the G-force pushing me back into my seat. Then I was thrown forward by the impact of the truck hitting the murky mud water.
Mud. That's all I can think of as I picture it in my head. I picture it something like this; 

No, that's not us. Keep in mind I was 7. In my eyes, everything was larger than life. Needless to say, as I tell the story 15 years later, it wasn't the mud, mess, or muddled mom that left the lasting impression. It was the time I spent with my dad, his interactions with those around him and his willingness to take me to work with him that day and make me feel like I was the boss.

Like most kids, and most kids should, I spent a lot of time with my mom. She was the one who scheduled play dates, made sure I did my homework, and forced me to enjoy eating fruits and vegetables. Thanks to my dad, she could stay home a lot of the time when I was a child. I hope I can do the same for my wife and the son we expect within the week.

Dads have other important roles.

The reality of a baby boy being placed into our family seems so surreal. I've been watching my wife's belly get bigger and bigger for the past 9 months and I still don't believe it's really happening. The first thought I had when my wife showed me the positive on the pee stick was, "The Lord trusts me this much?" 

Followed by a hosanna shout, a few downward fist thrusts, and several cheers, whoop's, holla's, and booyah's.

As the day of reckoning draws near, I cannot help but ponder deeply the responsibility that will be placed into my arms. Literally. Especially when you read quotes like this;

"Fatherhood is not a matter of station or wealth. It is a matter of desire, diligence and determination to see one's family exalted in the celestial kingdom. If that prize is lost, nothing else really matters." - Ezra Taft Benson

No pressure. No big deal. Hakuna matata.

That's a ton of pressure!

That's a huge deal!

Lots of matata!!

Thankfully, this job doesn't have to be done alone. I am beyond thankful for my wonderful, thoughtful, loveful, understandful, strongful, happyful(see picture above), smartful, insightful, and beautiful wife.

And let's not forget our Heavenly Father.

“When we are on the Lord’s errand, we are entitled to the Lord’s help. Remember that the Lord will shape the back to bear the burden placed upon it.”

Getting back to the presence of God is not a feat to be accomplished as an individual. He doesn't give you a near-impossible task and say, "Good luck. See you never." He is there every step of the way. And His Son, Jesus Christ, the Light and Life of the World, will always be there for us to lean on when it gets dark.

When this bundle of joy pops out into our world, I know, and you should too, there are so many sources of help. Especially to those who seek it.

I hope I can be the father my son needs.
I hope I can be worthy to share a title the Creator of All insists we call Him.
I hope I can take this job seriously.
I hope I can follow the Spirit and follow the will of the Lord concerning how to raise to him.
I hope I can be a worthy priesthood holder and an example.
I hope I can show him how to love and respect his mom, my wife.
I hope he loves me.

I thank my dad. He wasn't perfect, and still isn't. But he sure nailed the whole dad thing.

He's taught me how to have fun, ride a bike, and enjoy peppercini's.
He's taught me how to lay tile, memorize entire discographies and band line-ups from the 60's, 70's, and 80's, and how to cook fish.
He's taught me you can still eat meat with less than half of your teeth, catch a short-hopping grounder, and precancel stamps.
He's taught me how to be respectful when it comes to church and have fun at work.
He's taught me how to endure trials when it seemed there was no light at the end of the tunnel.
He's recently taught me that change is possible.
He's taught me how to do things with passion.
There is so much he has taught me that I have yet to realize. Thanks dad.