By Bill Nestor Sports Editor
This past weekend was indeed special as it provided an opportunity to celebrate Fathers’ Day. My dad passed away several years ago, but for me it brings back so many special memories that mean more and more to me as time goes on.
The older I get, the wiser he and his philosophies become. I can still hear many of the lessons that he would preach over and over.
Back then, they sounded like a broken record.
Now, they are cherished words of wisdom.
As a youngster, I couldn’t understand why he would repeat the same things over and over, but now I realize he just wanted to make sure that I understood the points he was making.
Once I received “the memo” he would move on to something else. It was always another lesson. There was always something to learn and there was always something to work on – no matter how many times we would do it. To me, it would be good enough, but to him it was back to the drawing board. When he would sense my frustration, he would ask if I thought it was done right. If I answered honestly after assessing the project, then I would know that the correct action would be to do it again.
Making a child do something is one thing, but explaining why you should do it and allowing them to make the correct decision is another level of parenting.
The best lesson my dad ever taught me came in high school. Basketball was my first love and I was fortunate to be on a pretty good team. After games it was, and still is, a custom for fans to tell players that they played a good game. After a particular game, I went home and asked my father why he didn’t tell me I played a good game. He asked me if I really played a good game and, after a long evaluation, my honest answer was that I did not.
He said, never lie to yourself, always be honest because everyone else will tell you what you want to hear. He promised me that he would always tell me the truth, good or bad, so that I would know exactly where I stood. Don’t lie to yourself!
Fathers are role models and so are coaches. Coaches are, in many cases, father figures. We should celebrate both for what they are. At the same time, coaches need to realize their impact on kids as not only the ones that are in charge of what happens on the gridiron or the court, but also what goes on after the games as well. Even though it isn’t a responsibility in the job description in many cases that coach is the only male role model in that player’s life. Coaches are difference-makers not only during the playing days. I’m fortunate to still be great friends with some of mine from back in the 80s.
If you are fortunate enough to still have your father with you, let him know how special he is because tomorrow is not guaranteed.
Happy Fathers Day to all the fathers and role models who try to make a difference!
That will do it for now!!! Until next time . . . take care and God Bless!!!
