Remembering Dad
<— My Dad, Walter Larson
Happy Father’s Day to all you dads!
It is a fine day, and I look forward to it each year to remember my dad, who passed away 20+ years ago.
I miss my dad for many good reasons. He was a great dad, a fun grandpa, a provider, and devoted to my mom.
Also, my unique interest in cartooning came from my dad. When I was a preschooler, we played a drawing game where we would take turns adding a line to a picture until we created our own unique cartoon creation.
I also inherited my dad’s dry sense of humor. I like to describe his sense of humor as the art of being 'an introvert trapped in a world full of people.'
I recall this truth playing out a number of years ago when I was joking around with my then-15-year-old daughter, Erin, trying to get a rise out of her. She laughed and said, “Dad, you are so weird.” I replied, “Weird, like my daughter.” Of course, she nodded in agreement, recognizing me as the source of her quirky sense of humor, since her mom’s sense of humor tends to follow more traditional paths.
To console Erin, I said… “You know this strange sense of humor comes from your Grandpa Larson.” Then, after a short pause, she let that sink in. I spoke again like I was my dad. “Oh sure, blame the dead guy.” Erin and I then chuckled over this cringeworthy comment, which only served to reinforce the truth that our so-called humor was in the blood.
Similarly, my dad taught me the essential and underappreciated art of good-natured teasing.
Please don’t confuse this with mean-spirited, cruel teasing; our teasing is more like pestering to get a rise out of someone.
You see, no harm, no foul. It is the type of good-natured needling that friends and family engage in to show they care about each other. Well, at least my family does this.
Of course, the one caveat to this teasing is.
When one teases another to the point of aggravation, the teaser must continue to tease just a little longer. This is a delicate part of the process. The whole process could be ruined if the teasing goes on too long or not long enough, much like baking a cake.
However, you see, this kind of ‘highly-efficient’ teasing should be executed by a professional teaser, such as myself. This is certainly a delicate balance between good fun and big trouble.
My dad was particularly good at teasing my wife. Or maybe he was bad at it, depending on whether you asked my wife or me in private. He could bug her, but somehow she loved him too. ?? I think so anyway.
Of course, the above is shared with a smile or smirk, accompanied by just the right amount of embellishment. My dad was defined by much more than a quirky sense of humor.
My dad, Walter Larson, was a kind man with a big heart and an appreciation for the simple pleasures in life, like strong coffee. No one ever confused him with being a theologian, philosopher, or a CEO of any corporation except Walter Larson Logging. But everyone knew my dad was kind and generous, and my dad was proud of me and believed in me, even in my less-than-bright and shining moments.
So, what greater reward can I have on Father's Day than to know I was blessed with a good father who taught me important lessons about family, friends, and seeing the best in others?
If this were my legacy for my kids and nothing else, this would make me smile.
My dad never left me a fortune to inherit, unless he put it in a lunchbox and buried it in the woods (and never told me where!). At my present rate, my kids are not inheriting much, except a hard drive full of cartoons and my kneaded eraser.
BUT.. I desire to give them what my dad gave me. A home with love, laughter, good coffee, good food, and most importantly, a personal faith in the God of our Bibles.
May your Heavenly Father bless you on this Father's Day. May God provide healing, peace in hurting relationships, love, and humble appreciation for those who have been so good, like me.
Jeff (Father & Grandfather) Larson
And finally, let me leave you with...
Satan remembered on Father's Day —>
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