To the Dads

By Beth Hanning

This weekend, we celebrate Father’s Day. Of course, the dads get the better weather. It seems dads always get the better day. My friends are often running around on Mother’s Day and often say, “There will probably be no sports scheduled for Father’s Day.” However, with all of the sports these kids are playing today, I am sure both parents will be running around this weekend trekking these kids to lacrosse, soccer, baseball, softball or whatever sport kids are now playing.

I want to give a shout out to the dads in my life. Shout out to my husband John. My late father in law was so proud of the dads he raised and he had a right to be proud. My students often ask about my husband and I always have to explain that we are exact opposites. I would go crazy about a situation and he would be the rational one balancing me out. It is not an easy job raising daughters and he did a great job.

All of my friends who are dads. This is not an easy time period to be raising children and all of my friends are killing the dad job. They are coaching their children, doing homework and carpooling. I love sitting on the beach and the dads are playing running bases or throwing a football around. We do not realize what a precious commodity that is and that many children around the United States do not have that luxury.

To all the people out there who are not technically a dad but serve as a dad, kudos to you for stepping up and helping out.

To all the moms out there who serve as both mom and dad, keep up the good work.

Most of you knew my father and how he was my weatherman. He studied all of the weather programs and gave me his analysis. The week before Hurricane Sandy, his exact words were, “It is going to be bad and you will have off at least Monday and Tuesday from school.” Well, I hate to say he was correct but he was. My dad was such a legend in the weather business that once my principal called my classroom the day before a storm and asked, “What does your dad think?” My dad was not only a weatherman but a great sounding board and rational thinker. He would tell me when I was wrong and offer great advice. My dad also offered excellent humor within the family with his technical skills or lack thereof. Sometimes I look through old texts to remember the crazy things he asked me to Google for him. I would reply, “Dad you have a nicer phone than me.” He just did not know how to use it.

In the year and a half since my dad passed away, I’ve been on the weather app way more than I used to be because I do not have the daily phone call to discuss the weather. FYI: Sunday looks like a ten day on the Rock. Enjoy dads!

A fond remembrance to the fathers who have left us with great memories. I cannot believe how fast the time goes by but the memories of my father and father-in-law and some of my friends’ dads are so strong. It feels like yesterday we were working at Rockaway Video and Pete McManus was biking to bring Marybeth and me dinner.

I hope all of the dads out there have a great day.