Isn’t it great to be a dad!
Mark D. Brumels

Dad, Father, Daddy, Papa, Pops
So many different names – but they all mean the same.
The love of children for their father.
The love of a father for his children.

It starts with a baby’s first cry.
That incredible moment of joy when they first enter this world.
The overwhelming love and pride that you feel,
The realization of responsibility,
The wonder of God’s creation,
You have just become a Father.
Isn’t it great to be a dad!

Soon you are changing diapers.
Getting woke up at all times of the night.
Why do they sleep when you are awake, but want to wake when you want to sleep?
Cleaning high chair trays now includes anything within a three-foot radius.
Listening to coos, gurgles, and giggles.
Making sounds and faces that you would never dream of making at the office.
Going to visit means packing the car with all the things you might need.
There are long hours when they cry and you don’t know what to do.
And times of sickness
- when you would do anything to take their place and ease their suffering.
Isn’t it great to be a dad!

When crawling starts all objects need to be raised three feet or moved to safe territory.
A morning comes when you wonder how he got out of his crib by himself.
And then the first steps into your out-stretched arms.
And latter those first words
– which were not DaDa in spite of the hours of tutoring you provided.
Isn’t it great to be a dad!

Soon come the questions
Where is heaven?
Why do you have hair on your face?
Where does thunder come from?
Are we there yet?
How long is 10 minutes?
When is after a little while?
Why? How come? When?
Can I have a drink of water?
Isn’t it great to be a dad!

Daddy, twirl me in the air.
Daddy, please tie my shoe.
Swing me higher daddy!
Let’s play catch.
Wanna play house? I’ll be the mommy and you can be my little boy.
Isn’t it great to be a dad!

As the years go by the questions change:
Can I have the car tonight dad?
Can I get it? - All the other kids are wearing them!
Dad, are you coming to watch me play ball tomorrow?
Can I have $20?
Can you help me do this project? It’s due tomorrow morning.
Jim asked me to go out on Friday. Can I go?
Isn’t it great to be a dad!

Then comes the day when they move out from home.
How excited they are.
How much you hate to let them go.
You want to go with them; To fight their battles for them; To protect them.
You have gone from being the Father authority to Dad the friend and advisor.
Isn’t it great to be a dad!

As the years go by, you grow in wisdom and understanding – if only in their eyes.
They come to you with questions and seeking advice or to just borrow your tools.
They come to bring their children too.
Dad, would you watch the kids for a couple hours for us?
Isn’t it great to be a dad!

Isn’t it great to be a dad!
Dad, Father, Daddy, Papa, Pops
So many different names – but they all mean the same.
The love of children for their father.
The love of a father for his children.
God, sure knew what he was doing – when he made Dads.
Isn’t it great to be a dad!

June 14, 1997

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Last Updated:  02/26/01 07:15 PM About this page contact: Mark Brumels