Supermen

"You just have to decide what kind of man you want to grow up to be, Clark. Whoever that man is, he's going to change the world." ~ Jonathon Kent

We saw Man of Steel last night and, maybe I don't get out enough, but it kind of blew my mind. I was sucked in from start to finish, and was this close to whipping out my pen and paper to take notes because the whole thing felt like a moral lesson. Seriously, if I needlepoint on a pillow some day, it will be something from this movie. If I get a tattoo on my neck...well, moving on. Fathers Day is tomorrow and I want to say a few things to the supermen in my life.

Dear Supermen,

I am so impressed by you. Without you our world would be a very different place. Homes are under attack - this we know - and evil influences would be happy to take your place. Thank you for being there, for showing up every day. You bring adventure, fun, love, honor, and strength into our lives.

It isn't an easy path. There is a lot of sacrifice involved but your kids know that there is nothing you wouldn't do for them. That in fact you live your life for them, with their needs in mind as you walk out the door each morning, and a big daddy hug ready for when you walk back in. From their birth, you are imparting your wisdom, teaching them how to laugh and love, to dance, to work, to play, even, as the nursery at church can now attest, how to 'bend and snap.' (Legally Blond reference there, but yes, at church today Riley repeatedly dropped her crayon in front of the little boys and said "uh-oooh!" before retrieving it only to do it again. She did not learn it from me!)

Through the years you take on countless science projects and spend your evenings running the homework lifeline, or braving the elements on the sidelines cheering for the kid picking daisies (or his nose) way out in the field, or chauffeuring awkward groups of screaming, giggling teens. You, of necessity, master the art of interjecting humor where you would like to interject a swift kick to the rear. When you want to buy a new car, you buy braces instead. Instead of Die Hard, you go see Disney. And somehow your kids believe you when you say, "My pleasure."

And when they are grown and gone? Thousands of miles disappear to nothing because they know you are still there for them, that you always will be because you always were. Now that is a super power worth having.

We love you, our Supermen!