When I was young, maybe 5 years old

My parents always had parties at our house in the woods

There was always competition surrounding the game of Horse Shoes

I was told not to run across the pit while the game was in play

I didn't listen

I was struck in the head by a flying horse shoe from my father while I was trying to be brave, cool, and defiant

 

Life continued to change in many ways for several years and a handful of new locations

With us was always the Horse Shoes pit, and music

In my youth, I never beat my dad at a game of Horse Shoes

As an adult I was once rigged the game by kicking the shoes closer to the pin when he wasn't looking

I later fessed up and told him I cheated

I had never beat him, until......

 

Every father's day, my father and his wife have a father's day BBQ

And though life has been through many changes of each and everyone of us

We still take the time to surround ourselfs around the pit

 

When I was 8 years old, I watched my father loose his dad

he had had a heart attack at the age of 67 while raking the yard

He was the only grandfather I really known for only 2 years of my life

My father, at the age of 69 on my 35th birthday was life frlighted with myself as a passenger to a city hospital

I couldn't help to see myself as that 8 year old boy watching my  father lose his father

What I saw was a brave man being strong for his family

 

Prior to my father's close call, we never said  "I love you"

Now we say it whole heartedly 

And at the age of 37 on this day of celebrating father hood

I won a honest game of Horse Shoes againgst my father for the first time

There was no trophy

Just the joy and love that I am thankful for my father.

 

Happy Father's Day to all the Fathers out there!

Peace, Joy and Love to you all