One of my favorite things while growing up was to help my dad do things. On the other hand, one of my least favorite things while growing up was to help my dad do things.
I have fond memories of time spent with Dad. I would go to town with Dad to run errands. I spent lots of time with Dad repairing or maintaining equipment. I traveled with Dad when he went to shoe horses and handed him the tools and nails. I went with Dad to "visit," both visiting friends, family, and neighbors, as well as, on church assignment to Home Teach. I went on road trips with Dad to county fairs (and similar events) across Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming (and some in Montana and Colorado) for horse pulling contests. I rode horses all over the ranch and the summer range with Dad. I helped Dad shear sheep, mow hay, bale hay, haul hay, fix fences, ride horses, break horses, work the cows, wean the calves, castrate horses, and feed the cows.
On the other hand, I have not so fond memories of time spent with Dad working in the rain, or in the cold, or late into the night, or on a weekend when I wanted to go hang out with friends. Sometimes a short visit would turn into long visits. Sometimes, he would leave me in the car or truck to wait while he quickly ran into a store, visited a neighbor, or something similar and would not come back for an hour.
Interesting, as I write this story, I look back on these things with Dad with nostalgia. However, I know that "at the moment" that these things happened, I was not always happy to be doing them. What a difference time and perspective make when reflecting on life events.
I am lucky that my Dad let me do things with him. As I look back now, I know I was not always the best or most reliable assistant. In many cases, Dad likely could have completed a task more efficiently without my help. I am grateful that he allowed me to assist him. He taught me so much about life, hard work, and love. I appreciate the trust he gave to me and the time he spent with me. Thank you, Dad.
In my role as Dad, I have tried to be like my Dad. I hope someday my children look back on the things they got to do with Dad as some of their favorite things while growing up. I also suspect that they will look back on things they "had" to do with Dad as their least favorite things.
.jpeg)