FATHERS DAY

Fathers day is 17 days away, and already we are being barraged by ads telling us what to buy for dad.
WHO NEEDS THIS JUNK!!!
Well, my dads are dead, both of them, so I don't have to go into nervous breakdown mode trying to figure out what they would like.
I was lucky.
My blood dad left us, (mom and I), when I was two years old, and never had anything to do with me, until I was older.
I was eight or nine, before I found out from a neighbor, (by and innocent question), that my step dad wasn't my real dad.
You'd think the different last name thing would have been a clue?
I never said I was a bright lad!!
Looking back, it was for the best.
He treated his second wife, and my half brothers and sisters like shit.
She died young, forty something, of cancer. Some, myself included, considered her lucky.
She didn't have to put up with him any longer.

My step dad was the only dad I knew.
He and I didn't have much in common.
I was an athlete, and he had little athletic ability, and less interest in sports.
He was a gifted carpenter, and workaholic, but he took good care of mom and I, and as cantankerous as he could be, he loved us, and we knew it.
I know, your wondering where the hell is he going with this.
The bottom line is.
Kids, don't stress out about what dad wants for fathers day!
Most dads, myself included, want nothing more than a visit, (phone call if distance is a factor), and a wish for a happy day!
The best gift more me would be knowing that your safe, and happy, and able to live your life in a manner that will be meaningful, and enjoyable.
That, and your love is all I need.
I've got all the ties, and shirts I can use, and if I want a fishing pole, or to go to a ball game, I can afford the tickets myself, so don't waste your money.

Love ya, Kyle, Jeremy and Matt,
Dad.