Monday, June 27, 2011

Fathers

Our summer has been off to fantastic start. We started things off with a lovely vacation in Massachusetts with my in-laws over the Memorial Day weekend. And we just spent a week in Ocean City, NJ with my extended family. The neighborhood pool is open and the boys are really enjoying spending time there. Hard to believe June is almost through.

Since we've been away, I was getting behind in my blog reading. As I was catching up this weekend, I noticed a lot of posts written by women honoring their husbands and/or fathers on Father's Day.

Our vacation in Ocean City always coincides with Father's Day. So, I am lucky that I get to spend Father's Day with my father, my Godfather, and Mark. Not to mention a whole slew of other great fathers (my brothers, uncles, and cousins).



Every blog post I read boasted their husband was the best father in the world. I don't think that is possible because, MY husband is the BEST father in the whole world! I could not ask for a better partner with whom to navigate parenting.



And then there's my father. I have been so blessed throughout my life to have a strong relationship with my father. Over the years, I've come to appreciate that more and more as I realize not all daughters have this kind of bond with their fathers. My father was always a great "dad". He coached little league, helped with homework, listened to and comforted his children and most importantly, showed them how much he loved Mom. To have grown up in a such a stable nuclear family is a true blessing and my father was a large part of that.

However, none of that compares to how incredible my father is as a grandfather! He never tires of his grandchildren and their constant demands for time with PopPop. This past week, he was often seen holding hands with two grandkids and jumping little waves along the shoreline, searching for seashells, playing "catch the seagulls", pitching a wiffle ball or reading books. He is like a magnet to whom all of the grandkids are drawn. Just look at this photo. I dare you to tell me he's not an exceptional grandfather!





Did I mention that I also have a wonderful father-in-law?



I am truly blessed. I am related to, no...bonded to, a husband, father and father-in-law, all of whom could vie for the "Best Father in the World" title.