Published: June 19, 2009 10:20 am      

See the value in Dad’s words of wisdom

I know he was probably disappointed, but he never let on. When his young daughter continued, summer after summer, to be afraid to learn to waterski, my dad, a ski instructor and the host and promoter of the biggest professional waterski tournament in the country, didn't push it. As much as he knew how safe and easy it would be once I tried, he let me do it in my own time, gently encouraging me with his subtle but unquestionable support. Knowing I would one day gain the courage to ski, Dad never made this fearful little girl feel like a letdown, no matter how many times I turned down the chance to try.

It's been more than 15 years, now, but I can still remember vividly that day when I finally did sit in the water in front of my grandparents cottage and let the boat pull me up on two skis. As I soared around the lake, I don't think I will ever forget the feeling of pride I felt as I looked up at my dad in the boat, smiling back at me and pumping his fist as if to say, 'You did it, CharLy…I'm proud of you.'

We went out for pizza that night, the whole family; Dad said we had to celebrate my accomplishment. I know now that it wasn't really all that big of a deal, but for that evening, he made me feel like I had just won the Olympic gold. I was truly on Cloud 9, and he was the one who put me there.

As I look back now, I see that that story is a great example of all that my dad has meant to me throughout my entire life. Constantly, he has been there, encouraging me to reach for my potential but never pushing for more than I can give. Never missing a chance to applaud me when I'm up, he also has never, ever failed to console me when I was down. He is one of those very rare allies who is with you through thick and thin, the best times, and the worst.

I know I am blessed to be able to say that my dad is my most trusted confidant, my most loyal supporter, and my most faithful friend.

You know, we shouldn't really need a day like Father's Day to recognize all that our dads mean to us. But, I guess we do, just the same. We forget all the sacrifices they've made for us in the past, overlook what they're still doing for us now, and take for granted the unconditional support we know they'll be giving us tomorrow. Sometimes, it takes a shelf full of Hallmark cards hitting us in the face as we walk into the store to remind us that it's time to show our appreciation for everything that we've been able to do because of our dads.

I was reading a story just the other day about a little girl who was lost in the woods. At nightfall, her family and friends had to give up their search, but as soon as dawn arrived, her father was back out in that forest, desperately looking for his daughter. Within hours, he came upon her, sleeping on a rock. When her dad called her name, the girl woke up, ran to him, and cried, over and over, 'Daddy, I found you!”

When it comes to our dads, maybe we're all a little bit like that innocent little child. We wander away, seeking freedom and independence, and sometimes, we lose our way. We lean too much on our own knowledge and devices, thinking that we've got the whole world figured out and that we can do it all on our own. But, in the end, we always come back to those little gems of wisdom that Dad spent years teaching us. Then, we think we've discovered something new, but really he was there all along, quietly supporting us and waiting for us to find our way back home.

Me, I'm still trying to learn that lesson. I have moments of defiance and stubborn independence, when I think that my way is so much better than the way Dad taught me. I complicate things and make them more difficult, but then, without a doubt, I find myself turning back to those simple life lessons that he was teaching me, even before I understood what he was doing.

“Have faith.” “Be loyal.” “Be determined.” “Be true to your heart.” “Follow your dreams.”

These are the values and philosophies by which I strive to live my life, stemming from the words of wisdom my dad has imparted to me since I was a child. Always, no matter what we were doing together, he was working to teach me, prepare me, and build the wings that he knew I would need to reach the place where my dreams live.

Unfortunately, I know that I will most likely forget the value of his lessons again one day. But, when I do, I know he'll still be there, waiting patiently for me to come back around, still living his life in staunch support of me, his daughter.

I know, because that's just what he does. That's my friend. That's my dad.