Strong like Dad

Off Topic
1

Remember when…

A young boy hurries to keep up to his Father. Straining under the load he carries, his thoughts turn to when “he is big” just like his dad and he can carry heavy things without effort. “It’s going to be nice” he thinks, to be so strong, to be able to lift big furniture and heavy tools. “One day I am going to be able to move the Washing Machine!”. All thoughts of a small boy trying to be like his father. In most cases (where Dad is not Attila the Hun or under the care of “the Authorities”) all boys wish to be like their Fathers, some desire to be Funny like Dad, Smart like Dad or Rich like Dad but we ALL want to be Strong like Dad. The Father demonstrates his strength as he plucks the burden from the boy with one hand and tousles his hair with the other “I got it Son, thanks”. The boy, happy to have been of help, puffs out his chest and continues to dream about when he is big.

Fast forward 25 years and the little boy is now a Father himself with three little girls who also happen to think that he is the strongest man in the world, a title he does little to discourage and may in fact even encourage (much to his wife’s amusement) just a little bit. Having moved away nearly 10 years ago he has not hurried to catch up to his Father for many years and although a lifetime of hard work had given his Father the strength and stamina of a Clydesdale, time has given him nothing but wrinkles, stealing away what strength it can with aches and pains, leaving him susceptible to demotion from Superhero status to mere Mortal, another inevitable memory of what “used to be”. Hard work no longer appreciated for the benefit it brings to a mans character but looked at as a chore to be completed and nothing more.

With winter fast approaching and the need for firewood made plain by empty wood sheds our Father and Son set out to cut wood in a testosterone fuelled, Paul Bunyon inspired road trip, together again both enjoy discovering new commonalities and interests that demonstrate more than ever their similarities. Feeling more like brothers than Father and Son the cool off-shore breeze makes the wood cutting much more comfortable and before either knows it the trees have been felled, limbed and are ready to be cut to length. “Longer” says the son as his Father takes measure of the log, “That will be too heavy” he says. "Dad, trust me"says our young lion, ready for a Renegade style workout and full of the bluster expected of youth.

Smirking at his boys swagger, Dad cuts the logs into large, 5 foot lengths. Weighing upwards of two hundred pounds, the Son doggedly loads the wood “Sticks” he calls them, while at the same time thankful that his request for six foot logs was ignored. As the last log is ready to be loaded, the Father takes a run at lifting it off the ground, “Oof” is all he can manage as the log refuses to move. “I got it Dad, thanks” says the Son, his brow dripping from the effort yet filled with that wonderful rush of endorphins that only extreme physical exertion brings.

The truck, laden with wood and nearly flat tires carries more than potential campfires. It carries one that was and one that is but more importantly it carries all of the Fathers and Sons that ever were.

THIS is why I make the daily trek to the Gym.

“My son is 7 years old. I am 54. It has taken me a great many years to reach that age. I am more respected in the community, I am stronger, I am more intelligent and I think I am better than he is. I don’t want to be a pal, I want to be a father”

~ Clifton Paul Fadiman

2

Dude, you should write a book. Or at least some big-a$$ Hallmark cards.

Brings to mind the coming hunting season. I remember years ago when I went with him for the first time – straining to keep up, feeling the heft of the rifle he carried, closing my eyes as he held the rifle steady for me to take a “practice shot.” I remember when he first let me carry a .22-cal rifle to hunt for grouse. It felt sooo good to be that much more “like dad.” Trying to help him drag out a deer that was bigger than BOTH of us could lift (I haven’t seen one that big EVER). He used to have me watch post while he “kicked through the brush.” (I later figured out that’s how he stayed warm while I froze my a$$ off)

Lately, though he’s been slowed WAY down by Parkinson’s disease, he still wants to go out into the woods every year. I do the driving. He does some walking on fire roads, but I’m the one who does the hiking. I don’t even know what he’d do if an elk wandered into his path.

My daughter is only 2-1/2 now – much too young to appreciate the whole “hunting” thing. No son (yet). I’m not too sure what I’m going to do when my father decides he can’t do it any more. It’s not a decision I’ll make for him.

Good memories, 'Cake. Thanks for the walk.

3

(Un)fortunately I didn’t grow up knowing my dad. But that is one of the many reasons I go to the gym. So, my son will see me, and think I’m Superman… or something similar.

4

Nailed it, Cupcake. I’ve got two daughters that think I’m superman. Lost my Dad a bit ago, thanks for the memories you sparked.

In faith, Billy

5

I can’t believe nobody mentioned the fun of halloween yet…

My kids have told me oh about 500000 times now that I should be the hulk for halloween. No idea why, I dont look anything like lou ferrigno and certainly not like the comic books, but they want me to be the hulk.

I rarely did lumber cutting in the woods with dad and grandpa, we did a lot of fishing and some hunting though. I recall watching grandpa and dad being able to climb up the “big rocks” at a fishing place we used to go in upper michigan, I was too little to do that.
Home construction projects were more of the muscle stuff that I saw. Them lifting the rafters up, I would struggle to just carry a 2x4 as a little tyke.

Nice writing cupcake.

6

I remember watching my Dad chuck hay bales off the top of a wagon down to me so I could put them onto a conveyor. All I remember thinking is “some day, I’ll be as strong as him.”

Really good writing Cake.

B.

7

Great stuff! Thanks. Are you a published author?

8

That was great.
Is there anything in the world as good as that look of pure admiration you get from your child, who still believes you can do anything?

9

Great post Cup Cake.

I used to think my Dad had massive forearms.

Now I look at him and I think “Dude, I could totally smoke you in a pose down”.

Just kidding.

10

Gee guys…Thanks!

(The following is NOT false modesty…)

The piece is something that struck me last weekend while out cutting wood with my Father (Going again tomorrow!)…I will tweak it and massage it a bit (it’s still rather…embryonic) and submit it locally (Winnipeg Sun) for publication next Fathers day…a Friend of mine is the Homes section Editor for the Calgary Sun so I hope he can help me out (of course, being Editor of the “Homes” section is kind of like being the King of Swaziland or the President of the “Timmy P didn’t try to grab my Ass” club…no followers and less respect…) but it would be nice.

Of course I have submitted to everyones favourite e-zine but have yet (AHEM…T.C!) to submit that special piece…:slight_smile:

Thrilled that it resonated with some of you…it’s a little different from my Wise-Ass stuff…

'Cake

“The delicate balance between modesty and conceit is popularity”

~ Max Beerbohm

11

Cake, that was awsome!

My son wanted to watch the Canadian strongman championship the other day, and while they were doing the car squat, my son turned to me and said. “That man’s stronger than you.”

12

That was simply an amazing piece. Almost brought a tear to my eye.

Some of your best writing.

/Jacob who will never truly be stronger than his dad, although objectively he already is.

13

Apropos getting published in T-mag. This particular piece would make a great guest atomic dog. I’m really impressed with this.

/Jacob

14

Cake,

You are a true Renaissance man - strong of body and mind.

This too is why I train. Never knew my real father. My stepfather was an asshole. That’s not going to happen to my daughter.

15

I think Dan John wrote something similar about Dad strength.

16

my dad could kick any dad’s ass on this forum …great post cake.

17

Another trip down memory lane inspired by the Cakester. Thanks…

Although, nextime, please mark the tearjerkers with an asterisk. That will let me know that I need tissues. Thank you very much…

Seriously, very inspiring piece. We have pictures of our little ones doing double bicep poses. It is so adorable. Another side note… I took my daughter out tonight, since dad is camping with our son. She and I had girls night out. While out to dinner at a local mom and pop restuarant, the owner’s seven-year-old son carried over to the table a high-chair for my daughter, who is two. She promptly holds up her arm, flexing her bicep and says with a great big smile, “He’s strong!”. She made eyes at him all night. Seems she already knows what she wants in a man – someone strong like daddy. (Although, my daughter will be strong enough that she won’t need a man to carry her “highchair”, but will let him be Chivalrous.)

18

Cup: As a woman I can’t really relate to your post on a personal level, but this is still a great piece nonetheless. I think you should definitely do more serious writing and start making submissions.

I think you could also develop this piece more. Maybe you could include some of your personal feelings about your relationship with your father.

Just my humble suggestion.

19

My son is 11 years old now and he follows me to our basement gym a couple of times a week. I don’t push him he does it on his own. He sees me lifting heavy weights and he thinks that is what men do.

The male bonding that can take place in the gym, woods or anywhere a father and son can do things together is a real positive thing for family and health.

Great Post!

20

Very nice style! We may be witnessing what may be the true calling of Cake.

Good luck with getting it published.
It should do well as editors will surely note the emotional effectiveness.

Sure brought back hunting & fishing memories for me.