6-18-09

A schedule-free Father’s Day weekend is trumped by the honey-do list

Father’s Day and Mother’s Day were always special times in my family when I was growing up.
This was a time that my brother, sister and I would make cards for our parents, do chores to help them out, try our hardest not to argue and do our best to be on our best behavior.
I remember one year my father was asked, “What do you want for Father’s Day?” With a little bit of deep thought, he answered, “Good kids.” With a look of bewilderment and a brief pause I asked, “No. Seriously, something we can buy.”
That would have been a tall order, more fitting for his birthday or Christmas.
Now that I am a father, I completely understand. To have one full day of “good” kids, that would be awesome. A day of no running through the house, no fighting, no tattling, and “yes sirs” all day long.
Last year, Will and I planned a local horseback riding trip. When we do these trips we stay out all day and tend to come home worn out and tired. Early bedtime is soon to follow and a slow morning the next day.
With Leigh’s infinite wisdom, she decided to take the children to the beach for the Father’s Day weekend. I was going to be gone and worn out anyhow. We both figured that if they came back on Sunday morning, then we would have the same amount of family time as if they stayed home.
This year, Will and I planned another trip but wanted to head out to the mountains. We were going to leave on Thursday and come back Saturday night or Sunday afternoon.
Once again, Leigh planned her own trip. She and Will’s wife decided to take all of the children to D.C. for a long weekend. Hit the museums, take a tour of the Capitol and take in one of the best zoos in the nation.
Well, I found out recently that I will need surgery on my neck and my doctor told me to, “Go to work, come home, go to bed. Quit trying to be Evil Knievel for a few months.”
My horseback riding trip in the mountains was quickly shelved.
Leigh and the kids are still going to D.C. I would like to go but they are leaving on Thursday and I now need to save up my time off for recovery time.
Turning lemons into lemonade, I looked at the situation a little differently.
I have a weekend to myself. I can watch the History Channel and the Science Channel all weekend long. I can hop on my bike for the day and not feel guilty about leaving the family behind. I can sleep in late. I can eat junk food for dinner. This isn’t going to be so bad after all.
Having time alone might just be a great Father’s Day present after all.
Leigh asked me the other day, “I feel bad that you are going to be alone on Father’s Day weekend. Do you want us to stay home?”
I told her not to worry about it at all. I would be just fine and I then explained to her all of the benefits that I just mentioned.
“Well, if you are going to have time undisturbed, why don’t you fix the sink in the hall bathroom. Oh, and do you think you could take a look at the dryer vent in the laundry room. Maybe you could measure the wall, while you are in there, for some new shelves. You should also have a nice weekend to trim around the pond... If you want to.
It looks as though my plans have been changed for the weekend. It seems that I will be too tired in the evening to watch the History Channel.
For Father’s Day next year, I think I will just ask for good kids.
Bryan Pinkey can be found finishing his honey-do list or at bpinkey@nccox.com.