Thoughts on Father's Day

For the past four years I have been incredibly lucky to celebrate Father’s Day as a father. I have two young boys, who are healthy, keep me plenty busy, sometimes up at night and have shown me the true joy of fatherhood. I believe I am a good father. I play countless sports with my older son and chase every homerun he hits all over the neighborhood. I work my tail off to provide for my boys and try to look out for them around every corner.

However, being a father isn’t just about playing catch or working hard to provide for your family. Though it is very important.

I have been lucky to have many incredible father figures in my life. My father is my ultimate sports companion. He took me to my first Browns game, hundreds of Indians games, multiple Frozen Fours, the NBA Playoffs, the World Series and many other events. We have bonded around our beloved Cleveland Browns and truly live and die together with their success and failures

.

My grandfather is hands-down the hardest working man I have ever met. He was a depression-era child who grew up with very little and always did everything necessary to make sure his family was surrounded by love. When a relative grew ill, he welcomed them into his home. When he needed more money to provide for his family he got an additional job. He was my hero. He was a great father figure to his three daughters, his five grandsons and many, many others.

Sadly, this was the first Father’s Day of my life where I couldn’t call my grandfather and speak with him. He passed last September after 98 incredible years. I miss him every day, but I also remember his influence every day and hope that is somehow shapes who I am as a father.

Unfortunately, I know far too many people who didn’t get to call their father yesterday. My wife lost her father ten years ago, he was 61. A dear friend of mine lost his at the ballpark while he was waiting for his son to arrive. Here in Cincinnati, the Kim family lost their father last week in an unthinkable act of violence. Sonny’s oldest son Tim, wrote this piece following the untimely death of his father: https://instagram.com/p/4IlqOhM9j1/?taken-by=timskim1

I applaud the spirit of Tim during an unimaginably sad time and echo his sentiments. Hug your father. Whether he is 35, 49, 61, 67 or 98. Cherish every day you have with him. Play catch with him. Tell him you love him. Cherish the moments you have with your family, don’t take a single one of them for granted.

#Tom #Fathers #Cleveland #Browns