Long Term Hero

 



Sorry, it has been a while since I wrote about you, Daddy.

Something hit me just now that made me think of you and want to save my thoughts.

Another T.V. show that you enjoyed watching as I was growing up was The Wonder Years. Today, I stumbled across a clip from that show that resembled how I felt and will always feel about you.

Kevin is frustrated about a losing basketball game that Mr. Arnold attended at Kevin's "behest". Kevin makes the comment out of frustration, "I'm sorry we can't all be like you!"

Mr. Arnold sips his coffee, somewhat like a reprieve from paying the bills and carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders, and laughs to himself. Mr. Arnold looks into his son's eyes and says, "You are a hard man to please."

Even attempting to fill your shoes was such a non-attainable task in my heart, but for the times I did not thank you for the weight you carried for the sake of our family, I am sorry for this. Watching this scene play out, Kevin tells the viewer that he could not tell you the final score of the game, but he will always remember sitting in that coffee shop with his Dad, his Hero that stuck it out with him for the long haul.

For all the times you thought to yourself, "It's not easy being a hero,", I want you to know, Daddy, that it was noticed and more appreciated now than ever. 

I will always remember our discussions over coffee at the dining table, on the back porch, and all the times you had no other task to do than just sit and talk with your son, for that, Dad, I thank you for everything. Getting to sit in the stands with you for a West Texas A&M basketball game was another highlight of my life, seeing you so excited for the players when they did well.

Even though you are gone, those moments with my Hero, the one who stuck it out with me for the long haul, just as Mr. Arnold did for Kevin, yet often went unnoticed, it is precious. Not only do I long to honor you with my life, but I pray to be someone else's "long-term hero" to whatever extent that might be. 

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