I have always wanted to be like my father. Well, lately my oldest son has been saying that he wants to grow up to be like me and "have fire" (a reference to grilling). Now, I know that my son wanting to grill does not necessarily mean that he admires me personally, but I also understand that at the very least it does mean that he sees what I do and that he wants to one day do those same things. When I work on something around the house he wants to be right there with me. (The time usually consists of him rearranging my toolbox.) Gentlemen, it is so important that we make the most of those times. If we act impatiently, which I have been guilty of, then our boys will likely believe that we don't want their help or the time that they want to spend with us more than anything else. Then, later on when they get older and don't want anything to do with us we will have only ourselves to blame. However old your kids are, make sure that they know by your actions and the way that you choose to spend your time that you want to be with them. This dying world is desperate for fathers who love their children with their lives.
Once when I was changing the oil in our vehicles this same son came out to see what I was doing and if he could help. It was time to put the new oil in, so I set him up right above one of the headlights and showed him how to pour the oil into the funnel. Then, I handed him a quart. And, I watched one of my favorite faces in the world settle into an expression of concentration equal to the task at hand, and then give way to the happiness and satisfaction that only come from doing something cool with your Daddy.