Today was Father’s Day. First thing in the morning, the kids presented Abel with his Father’s Day shirt- a cool blue checked, non-creaseable shirt- and a card that had their handprints speckled all over it. Abel, pleased as punch, was overwhelmed with joy and croaked, in his not-yet-awake voice, “Thank you kids.”
I, being the gentle wife, jabbed him in the stomach, “Oi! What about some enthusiasm !”
“Actually I tried the shirt on earlier,” said he.
“What ?!!” I hooted.
He gave a sheepish grin and made an attempt at a whoop of joy.
“This is the best!” he bleated.
Thus, our Father’s Day celebration commenced.
Despite this somewhat lame beginning, our family had a meaningful day. We had a fish and chips lunch, a walk in the park later in the day and a reflective time of sharing at the close of day. What I mean by reflective is that we read books aloud to the kids and we let ideas, thoughts, jokes bounce off each other. We have a good time.
Speaking of fathers, did you know the animal kingdom yells with ideals of fatherhood? Prairie vole dads dig nests, cuddle the babes to warm them and bathes them. Stickleback fathers build nests too, and protect their kids by letting the lil’ uns swim inside his mouth until the danger is over. Killdeer birds can put up a good show: if a fox or any other predator comes near his beloved eggs, he shrieks murder like he is injured, thus luring the predator to himself. And if you aren’t bowled over yet by these facts, seahorse and pipefish dads give birth.
“Animal Dads” by Sneed B. Collard III ( Scholastic) is an excellent introduction to the role of fathers in the wild. The cut paper collage illustrations are beautifully laid out and the explanations are short, making it accessible even for very young ones.
Abel has read the book, and hopefully, taken a few tips from there. Maybe you will too.
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