To My Father
June 16th, 2013
Each year, on Father’s Day, I’m reminded of what a stellar man you are and the absolute and positive influence you’ve had on the man I am today — there is zero denying that I am my father’s son, to the bone. Whether you give yourself the credit or not, you continually impress me with the man and Father that you are and I wanted to tell you exactly why.
I have a deep respect for you:
● I respect your professional talents. You are clearly good at what you do and I’m always quick (and proud) to point out your work to others. Your reputation precedes you and leaves a lastly impression.
● I respect your personal talents. From your grand gift with words and speeches to your still-lingering athletic abilities, you are a smart, talented and gifted man.
● I respect your unwavering beliefs. Despite the fact that our beliefs differ, I respect, fully, your dedication to your system.
● I respect your character. As a teenage boy who could have run for the hills when his un-wedded bride revealed she was pregnant, the fact that you stuck around was foreshadow to the stand-up character you possess today. You say what you’re thinking. You’re a man of your word. You have vast integrity. You are a man with impeccable character that I aim to mirror.
You’ve taught me much:
● You taught me attention to detail. My craft and ensuing success in music is a direct result of your life lessons to anticipate and to measure twice, cut once.
● You taught me loyalty. I may not be married today but despite the current state of the world, my bride will be my bride forever.
● You taught me how to throw a football. You can tell a lot by a man’s shoes but even more by the way he throws a ball. I do well in that department.
● You taught me language. While music might have stemmed from mom, I’m coming to realize that your vocabulary and your way with words are equally embedded in my craft.
● You taught me selflessness. Whether it’s your time, your youth, your money or your wisdom, I’ve only ever witnessed you give.
● You taught me toughness. Whether you know it or not, I witnessed a few altercations between you and others and I definitely absorbed your stern fearlessness. Speak softly and carry a big stick.
● You taught me self-reliance. When life hands me lemons, you’ve taught me to be an adaptable problem solver with an ever steady head and an always calm demeanor.
● You taught me the line between confidence and humility. It’s no secret that [we] brim with a quiet confidence that has gotten [us] far, however, [we] are never too far from the shores of humility.
● You taught me humor. You have a dryness that puts people on their toes but I’ve learned its ultimately top-notch humor.
You were/are a wonderful Father:
● You are a wonderful father because of your sacrifice to the family. You undeniably put your life and personal needs on hold to always provide for us, amply and abundantly.
● You are a wonderful father because you punished appropriately. It was always more about learning the consequences to our actions vs overt punishment.
● You are a wonderful father because you took time. Despite having ten children, you still attended all of my football games, wrestling matches and Saturday wrestling tournaments.
● You are a wonderful father because you played with us — threw the ball, played tickle/suffocate monster, the scoot up game, etc.
● You are a wonderful father because you let go. When the time came to let me be my own man, you didn’t hang on or hover — you let me become myself.
● You are a wonderful father because you taught me to fish — not in literal terms but in the sense that you instilled skills, thought and knowledge that have made me self-reliant.
I love you immensely:
● I love you because you’re funny.
● I love you because you’re good to mom.
● I love you because you’re put together, smart and professional.
● I love you because you’ve given me so much.
● I love you because you made me.
● I love you because there’s only one Randall Scott Stenson.
