Don't Hook Your Finger, Son....A Father's Day Moment

Since it is Father's Day today, I felt compelled to write about this day.  You see, I really don't have any Father's Day moments that I remember.  My parents were divorced when I was 8 years old, and I lived with my mother.  The only time that I do hold on to was a time when my father took me fishing. 

I am a city boy, and never had been fishing before in my life.  Needless to say, I was nervous.  My Dad threads the reel for me, and ties the hook on the line.  Now is the time to bait the hook.  Rather than using the earthworms, my Dad thinks I should use corn kernals.  I grabbed the open can of Green Giant's corn and started the arduous task of baiting the hook.  The next sound everyone hears me screaming at the top of lungs.  I had baited the hook with my forefinger, corn & all!!!  Luckily, my Dad had some wire cutters, and cut the hook off my finger.  I never went fishing again after that.

Divorce can tear a family apart.  I blamed my Dad for breaking up the family, and I didn't speak to him for nearly 25 years.  I can really hold a grudge!!  It wasn't until he nearly died that we attempted a reconciliation.  And even after that, I really didn't reach out to my Dad.  I still had a lot of unresolved issues to deal with.

So last year for Father's Day, I decided to spend the week with my Dad in Roswell, NM.  I wanted to take this opportunity for both of us to get know each other again.  When I get there, my Dad tells me that we're going fishing this week.  That dreaded moment in my childhood was coming back to me at lightning speed!!

We arrive to the lake the night before to set up camp, and my heart is racing because of my nervousness.  I take a walk around the lake to clear my head.  The moonlight  bouncing off the water creates a peaceful & serene moment for me.  Take a deep breath, Harold, everything is going to be fine.

"Son, it's 5am....Time to go fishing" my Dad says.  I am really not ready for this, I'm thinking to myself.   After my second cup of coffee, I'm feeling a little better.  My Dad finds his favorite fishing spot, and we set up our chairs.  He takes my pole, threads the line, and ties the hook.....at this point, I am experiencing a big case of deja-vu.

As I am grabbing the bowl full of earthworms, my Dad says to me, "Be careful not to bait your finger again, son."   I started to cry happily, my Dad remembered that moment from so long ago.  The one memory that I had held onto to all my life, was an important one for him too.  We both hugged each other & cried.  I was having my own "Lifetime Movie" moment!!

We sat, talked, and fished all afternoon.  It is a moment I will never forget. The things that I thought I knew about my Dad were wrong.  I learned to let go of all the anger & resentment at that moment.  I am a better person because of it.  I finished out the day by catching 15 catfish, and I didn't hook my finger!!

So on this Father's Day, tell your Dad how much you love him.  Share your stories about your Dad.

This is my dad, JR Watts, of Roswell, NM

Happy Father's Day, Dad

I Love You.....Your Son, Harold 

 Make it a great day,

Harold Watts, Lyle Realtors

My website: http://www.GreetingsFromPalmSprings.com