Calling Courageous Dads...

Aloha,

When I was seven, my dad suddenly stopped taking me to the park.

These were our weekly father-son afternoons, and there was no stress. It was all about throwing a ball or a Frisbee, or playing with his latest guard dog.

Da could have thrown a sharp stick in my eye and I honestly wouldn’t have cared.

I just loved being my father’s center of attention – if only for a few hours a week.

And when he stopped taking me to the park, he simply said it was because he didn’t “have the time.”

I wrote about this recently, but I can’t remember whose blog or when exactly I posted the comment.

However, I can remember the exact moment, thirty-six years ago, when my father told me I sucked.

My point: I'm throwing a huge shout out to all the dads who’ve yet to see Courageous. (Future dads and dads-to-be are included… y’all will be so far ahead of the curve if you watch this:)

I’ve never done a movie review in my life, so bear with me, and, hey moms, don’t dare click off, this is something that can change your husband and family – for the better.

Courageous is a Christian, family-based movie with some amazing writing (I never knew I could laugh twenty seconds after bawling my heart out - but it's true.)

Please click the link above to discover more, but the simple premise concerns five dads who decide to become Dads after a tragic event causes one to reevaluate his life and his role in the family unit.

I wasn’t going to post anything about the movie for two reasons – it’s a recent release, but not new, and it’s 3:22 in the a.m.

However, as I went to shut down the computer, this picture of No. 1 Son was my screen saver – and I couldn’t help but take a moment.

This was taken this past Sunday (on the occasion of his riding his new bike for the first time.)

Obviously I am super-biased, but this picture shows hope and growth – my four-year-old boy is riding his first bike ( I can always Photoshop the training wheels.)

Will you be there if I fall, Papa?

Then I looked into his beautiful brown eyes, which is what got me typing.

He’s worried, nervous, and I know two seconds after this picture was taken, he came to a complete stop and said “Help me.”

I did, but dads, are you there for your kids - I mean REALLY there?

Please note, I ain’t judging anyone. Trust me, I’ve messed up more than enough chapters to write a book, but it would never sell – the main character was shallow and a complete knob-head.

Anyway, the first time I watched Courageous was a couple of months ago when our church put on a special screening… it was hilarious listening to a bunch of men – mostly strangers – sniffling and crying quietly in the dark –  all of us worried lest our ManCards be invalidated.

Tonight I watched Courageous for the second time, so like, I knew what was going to happen… and this time I bawled my heart out... even more like a little baby.

What’s up with that?

Partly, it’s because I was sat next to my wife and No. 1 Son and if you have seen the movie, well, you’ll know the part that got to me.

If you haven’t watched this movie, and you’re a dad (or married to one) please consider  buying/renting Courageous and looking into its Resolution.

Sorry, I know this post sucked as a “movie review,” but there is one thing I can promise: My three boys will never be told I’m too bored/busy/bothered to go to the park.

That’s my resolution – what’s yours?