Am I a huge fan of this singer/songwriter? Not really. But I do think of him twice a year. One time is on Kentucky Derby Day because he wrote a beautiful song called Run for The Roses, about a horse running in his first derby. The other is today, Fathers Day, because he wrote one of the best father songs ever, Leader of the Band. Here is the chorus:
“The leader of the band is tired and his eyes are growing old, but his blood runs through my instrument and his song is in my soul. My life has been a poor attempt to imitate the man, I am a living legacy of the leader of the band.”
As a father, have I tried to imitate my dad? Am I a good legacy of his life? As I’ve gone through life, I’ve learned more about my dad, from reflection and from others. I learned that, like all of us, he was a flawed human being, not the perfect person of my elementary school days. But, I loved him then and I love him now. He’s been gone from my life for almost 37 years. I miss him.
I love being a dad! It’s probably the favorite role I have played in my life. How did I become the kind of dad I am? Well, I think I brought a sense of fun and a sense of humor from my dad. I also brought along his lack of impulse control. He once, quit a job just so he could access his retirement money, so he could visit his oldest son in California! One thing I have tried to teach my kids is to be kind and to stick up for those less fortunate. That’s from my dad. My dad with the funny name: Winfield Kernechel George!
I also learned how to be a dad from my big brother Jim. My dad and I lived with his family after my mom died. I was fifteen. He taught me how to be solid, consistent, responsible, and giving.
I’m not a big rap fan, but I love this line from the Lupe Fiasco song “Daydream”. “Here’s to the streets that drove me crazy, and to all the televisions out there that raised me.” Here’s a shout out to all the TV dads that raised me. Ward Cleaver, Jim Anderson, Sheriff Andy Taylor, Rob Petrie, Ben Cartwright, Gomez Addams, Steve Douglas, Doggie Daddy, Jed Clampett, Luke McCoy, and last but not least, Herman Munster!
Happy Fathers Day to all my fellow dads!! We rock!!
A Semi-retired Kind of Life 