DAD’S LIST
I JUST LOVE PEOPLE WITH BALLZ!
May 21, 2018
HERE’S YOUR BILL FOR SUCCESS
July 16, 2018
One afternoon it began to rain and mom was in the kitchen. The kids, (our kids) automatically packed up their games and ran inside. To their amazement I asked why they were coming inside. Naturally they responded,“Because it’s raining”. I told them that it was only water and I assured them that they wouldn’t melt if they played in the rain. This was met with astonishment and big eyes, just like my wife on our wedding night.
“But mom will shout at us!” said one of them. “Yes, and we will get into trouble!” said another, and the third just looked at me in total astonishment. “I’ll take care of your mother” I said, “Would you like to run and play in the rain?” There was a slight hesitancy in their enthusiasm until I opened the door and stepped out into, I must admit, a slight drizzle. Just like the very caring mother, that she is, Samantha (mom) – appeared out of the ether like only mothers can when her ducklings are in danger. “No, they are going to get sick and ruin their clothes, and besides there’s lightning”. She had me on the lightning thing so I made them a promise that the next time it rained without lightning we would all go and play in the rain.
Fast forward 2 weeks. I’m sitting warmly in my lounge, with a nice hot cup of coffee, watching the game. It’s pouring with rain outside. My son runs in and reminds me of my promise. What’s the last thing that I feel like doing right now? But a deal is a deal, a promise is a promise, and there is no lightning this time! I opened the door and the 4 of us charge into the rain like a politician into a tender office.
We did the rain dance, we sang, we rolled and jumped in puddles, we danced, we played, and then we jumped into the pool. We swam in the rain until our fingers turned crinkly and Madison’s lips turned blue. Mom thought we were mad at first but then, knowing me, she took out the camera and created a memory of the event. Afterwards, the hot shower, the feeling of putting on warm clothes, the hot chocolate and all four of us snuggling on the couch, was the best feeling in the world.
Funny thing – kids remember what you did with them, and hardly ever remember what you bought them or what it cost.
Love is an ACTION; every time we “DO” we demonstrate our love.
I created an “I Did It with My Dad!” list on behalf of my children. Whenever anyone meets my kids and asked where they learnt that skill or who took them to a place I want them to always be able to say … “with my Dad!”
Some of the things already ticked off on the list include, I went fishing with my dad, I danced in the rain with my dad, I played soccer with my dad, I shot hoops with my dad, I wrestled with my dad, I saw the new Twilight movie (the midnight show) with my dad, I went to the theatre with my dad, I went to London with my dad, I went on a wet bike with my dad, I went to work with my dad, I surprised my mom with my dad, I visited a pie making factory with my dad, I rode bikes with my dad, I played Wii with my dad (and I won – he could never beat me), I said prayers with my dad, I climbed on the roof and watched the stars with my dad, I visited an orphanage with my dad, I learned to drive a car with my dad, I went on a road trip with my dad, I swam in the sea with my dad, I baked a cake with my dad, I played cricket, netball, basketball, rugby, Uno, cards, poker, monopoly, … with my dad.
It’s Father’s Day this month. I believe it should be called Daddy’s Day! I honestly feel that any man can be a father; it doesn’t take much skill, but it takes a Real Man to be a Daddy!
Its quite simple – Real Dads are supposed to be the rock of the family. Children (and to a certain extent women), look to Dads for strength; support; love; protection; guidance and fun – yes, fun!
“LIFE IS NOT ABOUT WAITING FOR THE STORMS TO PASS …
IT’S ABOUT LEARNING HOW TO DANCE IN THE RAIN”
Last year I wrote about my Dad. If you are blessed enough to still have your dad around, give him a hug for all of us who have lost ours. This year I want to remind you to be a Daddy and not a father.
INSTANT FUN – JUST ADD DAD
Dads spend the time, and they make the time, because Dads know that women and children
spell the word love, T.I.M.E. If you spend the time, they will feel the love. I never really have to address the issue of mommies, because we have so many good ones around. It’s because of them that this entire world isn’t hell on earth. But we need more Daddies. So, Mom’s – if you have a real Daddy in your life, not yours but one sharing your life with your kids, and not just a biological seed depositor – count yourself extremely lucky! Just ask any Mom doing it on her own because of a dead beat sperm donor that left her alone and in debt, how lucky you are.
- Daddies support and love their family without conditions.
- Daddies place their families first.
- Daddies keep their promises.
- Daddies are firm when they need to be, they give guidance when they should, but they know when to discipline.
- Daddies know that a child without discipline is lost and will battle in life.
- Daddies set the moral compass and lead by example.
- Daddies create an environment of trust and openness, honesty and fun.
Maybe, just maybe you might want to start an “I Did It with My Dad” list on behalf of your children, and start filling it. The good news is it never gets finished.
Ladies, send this to a whole bunch of men in your life.
Happy Dads Day for Sunday
Daddy Bear (Gav)
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54 Comments
Great one Gav !! Inspiring – no more overtime hours ?
Thanks a stack Gavin … really enjoyed reading this one!!!
Super content and so well written, Gavin. Thank you for the inspiration you spread to everyone. You are the best!
Thanks for sharing. Loved that.I’m proud to state that my husband did similar when our kids were growing up and he still does now albeit more age appropriate
Thank you ?
Great stuff Gav – thanks for sharing – touching
The Dad List – such an awesome idea – what a better place the world would be! Well done Gav on sharing your Daddy Bear experiences too.
Have a lovely day and especially Daddy Day on Sunday.
Brilliant ! Congrats
Absolutely loved your Dad story Gavin
Great Ideas for the younger generation, when I was young we had no tv or cell phones
but we had great fun with our family and neighbours playing soccer, fishing in the river, planting vegetables
I received a message of a young boy who wants to be a smart phone because his parents spend more time with the phone than with him
J’Mo: I love the memories you created and admire your goal, “I did it with my Dad”, I have adopted the goal, thanks for inspiring me
Great inspiration Gav, there is no compromise for being a good dad.
very inspirational. Thank you young man
Well Gav, fantastic mate
What a awesome Dad …
Thanks for sharing:)
Happy Daddy’s day for Sunday
Dankie dankie ! Amazing
Hi Gav
Thanks for great message happy DADS day
Best regards
Ray
TNX GAV HAPPY DADS DAY
FRANCINA
very nice piece and true words
Brilliant, thanks for sharing
A TEAR ……OK OK OK …..TEARS IN MY EYES GAVIN. ON POINT WITH WHAT BEING A ‘DAD’ MEANS………..
Hi Gavin
Great story “in the rain”. Being a good Dad is often challenging and one is constantly balancing ones work responsibilities with family time. We often forget how important doing things with our kids is to them. Its amazing how easily we get stuck in our routines and no longer go the extra mile.
Thanks for reminding me to do things with my kids while I still can.
Kind Regards
Patrick
Happy Father’s day Gavin….
And thank you for sharing your special moments :-)
Best regards,
Ross
Such powerful stuff. I enjoyed reading this.
Nice one Gavin?
I so wish my husband was still alive to share this with. He was a dad.
As a pre school teacher I wish all our Dads ( and our mother hens ) would read this.
My Dad is almost 84 this year, but the memories of our childhood and the fun times we had with him are what still bind his 5 children together. And the best memories are those that didn’t cost a cent. We never doubted, for one moment, his unconditional love.
And by the way, playing in the rain seldom makes you sick.
Dear Gavin
What an inspirational story and so true. We have so many men who are so proud to call themselves Fathers but unfortunately are not Daddies.
I am so grateful and blessed to still have my 85 year old Daddy around.
Have an awesome Daddy’s Day on Sunday!!
Very touching in tears if my kids could have such a daddy.
Very inspirational wish my dad was still alive.
Nice one…
Have a happy fathers day!!!
Great story Gavin! Happy Father’s day!
Happy Fathers Day to all the Dads out there , continue to leave special moments to cherish for ever.
All the best
Bruce
Great message Gavin!
Hi Gavin love your rain experience. My kids are 36 and 38 and I am still their Daddy. I now have a grandson of 7 months and the joy of my life. Yes being a Dad is the most awesome feeling, especially if you have ticked most of the boxes.
have a stunning Fathers day.
Beautiful… simply beautiful Gavin. Happy Dad’s Day to you.
Love receiving your news! And especially loved this article you wrote about playing with your kids in the rain… Just awesome!
Keep it up, Gavin you are truly an inspiration and I hope to visit another seminar again.. Hopefully in cpt this time :)
Gavin, this was beautiful – on one hand, it made me very sad because I did very few if any, of these things with my Dad. But on the other hand, it made me very proud of my children who have made wonderful Parents to their children. I would love to share this – is there any way you would give permission for me to share it with my friends on Facebook please?
Thanks Denise ! Share away with pleasure – the social media links are above.
Thanks to everybody for taking the time to respond. Love to see all the comments.
Gav
Dear Gavin
Wow, the love of a Dad. At times I feel like Daddy is spoiling our boy too much. But now I learnt that they are actually creating memories. As I read through your story, it reminded me of the moments my husband and son wanted me to spectate them as they rode on their bicycles on the street and when they played wrestling, oh boy, how can i forget the car racing on the phone while I also wanted to get a piece of his attention. :) You just inspired me to treasure and keep a memory book for the two, Gavin.
Thank you and Happy Father’s Day to All the Fathers, who puts love and time before Money.
S T U N N I N G!!!
Being a true Dad keeps you young and gives you direction – nothing better.
So true Gavin! I remember a lot of things we did with my Dad! OK well, we were privileged to grow up on a farm so the environment was much different to city life and we had a lot of family time together.
Wow – I love it!!! You are such a great dad Gavin!!!
I’m sharing this with my hubby right now :-)
inspired to be the greatest Dad, thanks Gavin this.
Thank you are the inspiration, absolutely enjoyed your story . Life is about the memories / legacy we create
I think we have to teach our children to work at our homes n watch them working, not to let them go out and work. Coz they’ll be confused outside n not knowing what they r doing
I really wish my kids could have this. Thanks Gavin really means a lot to me.
Best father’s day email ever – thanks Gavin
I can so relate with 4 boys & 1 princess
Have a great father’s day on Sunday
Your story is so precious and such a wonderful idea.
The kids and I have started putting together a list for our precious daddy and we have already exceeded two typed pages and could keep going,
reminding us all how very blessed we are to have such an amazing hubby and dad in our lives!
Thank you for such a great thought inspiring newsletter!
Kind Regards
Stephanie Clark
wow… that was lovely!
Dear Gav
As a Granddad as I thoroughly enjoyed “DAD`S LIST”.
Regards
Ray
Here I am reading this way after “daddy’s day”, but I’m in no position to feel embarrassed by my lateness, as this is such a great read, filled with truth and worth every second I spent scrolling down.
Absolutely beautiful!