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14 OUR YUCAIPA | JUNE 2014 OUR YUCAIPA | JUNE 2014 15 The Middle of the Road: By Randy Peters, a middle-aged, middle-income, middle-school teacher 5% Military Discount (former & current members) Ask for the Jarhead! 909-965-8404 Since 1985 Licensed & Insured DON'S TREE SERVICE • Ornamental Beautification of Trees • Preventative Maintenance from Wind Destruction • Correct Pruning, Trimming Skills • Tree Removals, Stump Grinding • Tree Planting/Transplanting It has been said that it takes a village to raise a child. I agree that there are many people who influence the raising of a child, but I confirm that we dads are not always the village idiots. Now, before I discuss my role as a dad, let me say that if it weren't for the love, intelligence, and sense of humor that God blessed upon my wife, I would never have been the dad I am today. I am the youngest sibling in my family. I never had to grow up changing the diapers, feeding, or entertaining smaller children. When I got married, I taught 8-year- olds. I wasn't there to entertain; I didn't check to see if they knew how to eat when I dropped them off in the cafeteria. Except for a few rare occasions, they all made it to the bathroom when they had to go. My wife and I brought our daughter home from the hospital 26 years ago. We felt compelled to let everyone know that she was the most beautiful child to ever grace the face of Earth. People smiled and told us that we were right. At least, that's how I remember it. I jumped right into fatherhood. I could whip up the formula, feed her, burp her, and change a poopy diaper like it was nobody's business. There was just the one time that I forgot to strap down her car seat and it went tumbling over as we went through the wash on California Street. She laughed and thought it was fun. I thought I was going to have a poopy diaper. We thought parenthood was so much fun that we did it again five years later. This time we had a son. Well, I was experienced now. This would be easy. I would just do what I did last time. I always thought our pediatrician was an extremely bright woman. She took me aside when our son was a baby and said, "You have two children. Now you start a whole new layer of parenting." I laughed. After all, my wife was just as amazing as ever. I now had experience with little kids. I would just do what I did last time. I was never so wrong in my life! In the first few years of raising two children at once I have very little memory of sleeping, eating a complete meal in one sitting, listening to my music in the car, or going anywhere without strollers, diaper bags, extra food, and a clean shirt. I used to teach my kids the same things when they were younger. I thought every toddler knew the location of their eyes, ears, and nose. I taught my children to find their sternum, patella, and clavicle. They would proudly tell anyone who the president was at the time. They would sing Barney songs but would be just as likely to sing out a few lines from Phantom or Les Miserables. As much as I've seen my kids grow with confidence over the years, I think I've grown with more confidence than they have. It's not about that I know I can catch vomit with my hands and shirt and not let any touch the carpet or new couch. Or that I can calm down a crying child on an airplane who insists on unbuckling her seatbelt and telling the pilot that she's changed her mind and wants off the plane as it taxis. My confidence in being a dad is watching my kids now, knowing that they can make it through life without me holding their hand every time they metaphorically cross the street. Our son has been hosting a radio show for his college in San Francisco. A few months ago, our daughter was a guest on his show. With the other host and guest they discussed topics from politics to economics, from social responsibility to the future of mankind. I did not tell them what to say. I did not tell them how to say it. In fact, I had no idea they were going to be on the radio together. But I listened. And I cried. I rejoiced as a dad could. My kids were making it. They are adults. They can run their own village now. I look forward to what they will do in their village and hope they will always have a hut for the village idiot who loves them unconditionally. Happy Father's Day! Keep your eyes on the road. Father's Day in the Village

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