TO BE A FATHER

A mechanic was removing a cylinder head from the motor of a Harley motorcycle when he spotted a well-known heart surgeon in his shop. The surgeon was there waiting for the service manager to come and take a look at his bike.

The mechanic shouted across the garage, "Hey, Doc, can I ask you a question?"

The surgeon a bit surprised, walked over to the mechanic working on the motorcycle.

The mechanic straightened up, wiped his hands on a rag and asked, "So Doc, look at this engine. I open its heart, take valves out, fix 'em, put 'em back in, and when I finish, it works just like new.

"So how come I get such a small salary and you get the really big bucks, when you and I are doing basically the same work?"

The surgeon paused, smiled and leaned over, and whispered to the mechanic ... "Try doing it with the engine running"



In a few short days we will be paying tribute to our fathers' lives, and while I confess that I did not write a blog for our mothers on Mother's Day (that tribute will come soon), having had a most wonderful father myself - one whose qualities I could not even come close to emulating, it is important to stop for a moment and look at how your lives are affected by the man of the house.

Fathers have no formal training, they learn as they are doing. They play a major role in financially sustaining the family, act as advisors and consultants to the children of the family and have the task of making certain that our mothers are supported in their efforts to give us a good life.

Fathers also have one other difficult job, one which often places great pressure on them and that is to make certain that while teaching us right from wrong and advising us how to live a good life and to enjoy success, that they not give into their weaknesses and act in a way which is in conflict with what they are teaching us.

Another joke: A father was sitting with his son telling him to always be truthful. The telephone rang and the son answered it. He turned to his dad and said, "It is Mr. Adams your insurance man." 

The father replied  "Tell him I am not here"

Dads work long hours, often travel in their work and also carry the burden of taking care of their aging parents (as well as those of their wife). And sometimes in order to protect their family will silently carry burdens that make their own life difficult.


So to all you young folks out there I have this message, love your Dad, forgive his errors in judgment, listen to his advice and teachings while at the same time using your own instincts in making decisions that affect your life ...

When you yourself become a father you will suddenly realize the meaning this blog.

This lesson speaks for itself.- It's not easy being a Dad and at the same time learning to be one.

Have a Happy Fathers Day.



Bernard ("Bernie") Otis is the author of the upcoming international bestseller, "How To Prepare For Old Age (If You Haven't Married Into A Wealthy Family)". If you have a question or comment, or a personal story about life and aging, please send me an email to seymour.otis@gmail.com

And, please be sure to support my friend Lorrie Caplan Shern's work. Information about her book and blog can be found at www.givingbirthtomyparents.com, and her wonderful songs can be found on www.soundcloud.com. Her phone is 720-652-6655.