Saint Benny

It took me years to realize that my Pop should be nominated for sainthood, for real. When I hit the ground running as a small cowguy, there were 'bout 3 trizillion reasons to just shoot me and get it over with. Not that I was bad all the time, but I really shoulda spent a little time in jail... just to kinda add some humility to my persona at that point in my life. I lacked humility real bad. NOW I know that Dad knew that as I grew up, got kicked around a little bit in life, that I'd get some of that humility that I needed so bad.

It happened slowly.

You know how I got most of that much needed humility? I got me some kids of my own. Yup. Nothing will teach you that quality like being a parent.

Don't get me wrong and take it that our kids were rotten. Great Scott! They were little angels compared to what I purveyed as entertainment at their ages. Some were a bit of a challenge, some were easy to get all growed up... but they all acquainted me with "humble" at some point in their childhood careers.

So without further ado, on this Father's Day... my kids, their graduation pics and some later in life pics. Oh, and some quotes that Dad's always remember.



Nicky. Possibly the most tender hearted human being on earth. Loaded with common sense, the mother of 3 under 5 and she's my own personal little smartass... but in a good way. She just sent me 3 Father's Day cards. 3! She loves me so much I wish I were twins. Nicky was born with humility.


Best quote: (she hate's this one) "I'm the only Freshman in college that's grounded."








Jake and Nicky a couple of years ago.







Amanda. Amanda has my bizarre sense of humor and can make me laugh til it hurts. It was rough in a few spots with this one, but in the end... she grew up and got some humility of her own. She's going to be a mommy in October, the humility will come on her with break neck speed now.


Best quote: (after totaling the 4th car before 18) "I think it just went off the road."






And from a few months ago.






Nathan. Nathan is our resilient kid. No matter what has happened to this young man, he just shakes it off and plods on to the next phase. He truly amazes me with his confidence and his recovery and most of all his tenderness with a harsh exterior. He finished school and headed to San Diego... no family, no friends out there... just a fresh start in life. He impresses me greatly. Humility is reinvented almost daily by Na.



Best quote: "I didn't do nothing to it. It just broke." (often repeated... lol)






From last fall, home on a visit.






Jake: And finally, the baby of the family. Jake and I can hang out together, laugh, go fast, shoot things, cuss, have a couple of beers.... and I think I'm still his hero after all of that. As with all our kids, he's MY hero, he just doesn't know it. He grew up to be a hard working young man with a great sense of humor. Humility is arriving to him as I type, probably. lol


Best quote: (after getting the buzillionth speeding ticket... this time for going 75 in a 55) "But I had it on cruise!"






From a couple months ago...







So there they are, my pride and joy. My reason for learning humility. Thanks for letting me be your Dad, it's my pleasure. Oh and Dad? Thank you Saint Benny.






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