Here’s to all those dads out there | Nuttman

As Father’s Day approaches I am reminded of a column I wrote years ago of gifts that you shouldn’t give dear old dad.

Gifts like “World’s Greatest Dad” on a coffee mug, executive tie holders and that sort of stuff.

But as I have grown wiser I’ve realized there are few gifts more appropriate than a genuine hug and a “I love you, Dad.”

As fathers we our often left out of the gift parade. More often it is a gift certificate to our local golf store, which is a fine gift, don’t get me wrong. Or a gift card to our local watering hole.

But what we really want is acknowledgement of what we have done over the last year.

As comedian Chris Rock once said, “Gee dad, thanks for knocking out that rent!”

Dad gets little credit for the things that make it easier for kids to flourish than anyone. Sure, mom is the main player, but when Father’s Day rolls around it is a tie clip or a new pair of beer steins.

My dad died at age 51. It still affects me to this day. So many questions I’d love to ask him. I loved my dad till the day he died. And every day since then, I would wish it were Father’s Day so I could hug him just once more and ask him if I were a good son.

Here’s my best answer as a Father’s Day gift. Hug your dad, ask him what you need to do to become a better person. If I know dads, and I think I do, he’ll say just be the best person you can be every day.

So here’s to all the dads out there who knock out that rent, provide good guidance and pick the good cereal instead of the generic stuff on the bottom shelf for their kids to eat.

And to my own dad, somewhere in heaven, “Yes, Pops, I cleaned my room, gave my daughter 20 bucks for the movies and gave mom a hug.”

I got it covered.

Todd Nuttman contributes to the Kent Reporter.