Fatherly Feats

When I was six years old, I got into a serious debate of profound importance with my classmate about whose dad was stronger. Our arguments reached a crescendo when he claimed his dad could lift a car, to which I countered that my dad could lift a house. This wasn't some idle boast - I really envisioned my dad with his legs planted on the ground like tree trunks, his arms holding our home well above his head. I never bragged about this fatherly feat again, especially since we renovated the house and added a few rooms, which probably doubled the overall weight. But thinking about that moment of pride as a six-year old shows how much kids - or at least this kid - look to their parents as their hero, their pillar and their rock.

Over time, of course, our view of our parents does change, and not necessarily for the better: British footballer David Beckham shared a story about how his then 15 year-old son asked to get dropped off "round the corner" at school so his friends wouldn't see him with his dad. Which makes me feel that there really is no hope for the rest of us fathers. I did, however, run four miles today at a 7:40 pace. It's not nearly as impressive as lifting a house, but it is one small step towards something greater that one day may inspire my kids, too. Happy Father's Day to all fellow dads - you are all heroes in your children's eyes.