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4 OUR YUCAIPA | JUNE 2015 Father's Day is this month and, to all the dads out there, I'd like to say thank you. I learned what a father should be from my dad and for that, I am grateful. Thank you for going to work every day and providing your family with security and peace. My father was an audiologist for over 30 years and looked in a million hairy ears so my sister, brother and I could go to good universities. It wasn't a pretty job but he did it for his family. By doing this, he set an example about responsibility that taught more than any lecture could. Thank you for taking an interest in your child's activities. There are dads who coach t-ball, soccer and participate in boy scouts and Indian guides to spend more time with their kids. My dad coached my sister's basketball team when no other father stepped up. He knew very little about the sport but was there for every practice and every game, shouting, "Dribble! Good dribbling! Shoot!" like a pro. This taught us that taking challenges outside our comfort zone for our kids sake was the right thing to do. Thank you for teaching us to keep a stiff upper lip. Men are very good at keeping perspective on what should be mourned and what should be gotten over. My dad didn't let us cry over much. When we were in trouble, we were to take our punishment with quiet acceptance because it was ours to take — whether we liked it or not, we earned it. We learned to accept the consequences of our actions without whining. We also learned to expect consequences so we would think twice before embarking on any questionable journey. Thank you for having your own life. Whether your dad surfs or hits the links with his friends, taking time for himself is an important part of being a good dad. My father rode his motorcycle every weekend to The Lookout above Lake Elsinore or to Cook's Corner in south Orange County. Once in a while, he took one of his kids and we watched him joke and interact with other dads. This taught that having our own lives, outside of work and family, makes us balanced and whole. Thank you for expecting the best. Dads are notorious for being perfectionists and are sorely disappointed when their children fail. While this is a hard standard to live with, it gives us high expectations for ourselves. When I was in the eighth grade, I brought home a B grade in algebra when I had been making straight As in the past. Dad wrote a note to my teacher, requesting a conference to discuss why the grade had dropped. Although I wasn't too happy at the time, being called out for a B when my friends parents couldn't have cared less, this taught me that education matters and doing your best at all times was required. Thank you for doing all this without hesitation. Fathers jump into their role as providers, helpers, leaders and teachers with ease. They wear their role as a soldier wears his uniform, with pride and duty. Fathers are the pack mules of the family, pushing through every day carrying a load on their broad shoulders, expecting little in return. This teaches us to admire the quiet strength and the dedication of fathers. So this Father's Day, make a list of all the things your dad did for you without hesitation. Let him know that you noticed and appreciated them. Tell him what his example has taught you about being a good person. That would be a great gift. Throw in a gift certificate to Sears and you'll get Kid of the Year. Father's Day Remembrance By Courtney Fox Taylor The above article was originally published in June of 2005 in the Saddleback Valley News. I watched my dad read it and was surprised to see tears well up in his eyes. He may have said, "Good article." He may not have. I don't remember. Either way, I was happy it touched him. He passed away in 2010 after suffering for months from the effects of a debilitating stroke. I'm sad that there are things I didn't tell him when I had the chance. I always wanted to take him to lunch and say, "I'm doing good. You don't have to worry. You raised me to work hard and do the right thing." But I never did. I think deep down, he would have disagreed. He could always find something that I could do better. He would have been right, of course. There's always something… He's still with me, in a way. Dad echoes in my voice when I tell my son Ben I expect him to do his best or when I hold him accountable for poor choices. Dad's with me when I push myself to do a little better than good enough or when I dust myself off and move on from disappointments. And I like to think that he's with me in my quiet moments, when I'm stressed about work or family, and he's saying, "You don't have to worry. You're doing good." I'm trying, Dad. Thanks for setting the bar high. I miss you and love you.

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