Relationship Success Strategies - Father's Day

My dad woke up one morning feeling "Not quite right and a bit wobbly". He's a strong-willed, tenacious, non-complainer so he figured it was just part of being 80 years old.

After a few days of lingering effects, he decided to go see his doctor. He called the office and was told they had an appointment opening in ten minutes. He took it knowing that my mom had their car and he would need to ride his bike a mile to the clinic.

Once he got there and saw the doctor, Dad was directed to go to the hospital A.S.A.P. to be further evaluated. He said he would ride his bike home, call my mom, and go to the hospital.

"You rode your bike here??!!" exclaimed the doctor.

Dad went to the hospital (mom picked him up at the office and they put the bike in the trunk of their car); had all the tests and scans; and it was determined that he did have a minor stroke.

I spoke to him after he got back home from all the testing and although he said he felt a bit tired, he was quite okay overall.

You see, my dad is always okay, and that is why I am embracing this day as my own personal Father's Day...A day for me to reflect on and have gratitude for all that my dad has given to me.

- Tenacious - My dad doesn't quit - his tenacity boarders on full-blown stubbornness at times yet he is quite the model of following-through to the end, in spite of adversities.

- Keeping What Works - My dad was quite a basketball player. At five feet nine, 160 pounds, he was never very big, but he played big with his two-handed set-shot. Nothing too fancy; just a little "shake-and-bake" and then swish. I can remember seeing him sink six in row. He kept what worked because there was no reason to change it.

- Commitment - My dad has been married to my mom for over 55 years, and although I don't quite understand their relationship some of the time, they have stuck together through "hell and high-water". Their commitment to their relationship, and to each other, speaks of a loyalty that is uncommon today.

- Adventure - We traveled and camped a lot in my growing up years. One summer we camped all the way across the U.S. and back again. I got a great appreciation of "roughing it" and the outdoors...I am sure that has a lot to do with my desire to travel to new places whenever I can.

- Spirituality - Although my dad and I have a very different spiritual path, I am grateful for having been brought up in an environment that had some spiritual emphasis in it. I don't know where I would be today without my spirituality.

- Creativity - Although he will deny it, my dad is very creative. Especially so in the way he uses his space and his resources.

- Problem Solving - Perhaps a bit over-zealous at times, my dad is a master at brain-storming and working out a problem. He is a great "fixer".

- Smart - My dad is real smart and rather humble about it. I'm sure that a significant part of the various intelligences that I have today are a direct result of my dad's role modeling.

- Love - My dad loves me. Although he was not as available as I would have liked when growing up, I know without a doubt that my dad loves me. He has always been there when I needed him. I know that I would not be where I am in my life today if it were not for his abundant love and support.

I share all this for one reason: All we have is today and we do not know what tomorrow will bring or take away.

If you have resentments towards a loved one, I invite you to work through them and let them go. If you haven't told a loved one lately how much you care about them, then pick up the phone and do that today.

I invite you - challenge you - to create an "attitude of gratitude" by looking at what you DO have as a result of your relationships. It is much easier, and much lighter, to be grateful than to be resentful.

Celebrate the gratitude and spread the good news.

After all, all you have is today...

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