June 2006 - The Parklander Magazine

A Real Gift On Father’s DayBy Robert LoewendickOn Father’s Day—anotherholiday that includes gift giving—garden tools, power tools or a newpair of slippers may fulfill theobligation from offspring to father.As a young boy, my Dad’s Daygifts to my father were nodifferent. But instead of tools,I aimed at the leisure side ofDad’s life.With pride, I’d put a new fishingrod or the latest lure in Dad’s lap,wrapped as clumsily as if puttogether by a chicken. Dad alwaysaccepted the oddly shapedpackage like it was a milliondollars though; and with a bigsmile he’d say, “Oh boy! What dowe have here?”Jimmy Donnelly and his big mouth bass, After the mysterious contentscaught at Fishing Headquarters in Okeechobeewere revealed, I’d hear thequestion for which I had hoped. “Well, we might as well go try thisthing out, right?” asked Dad. Before he could change his mind,I would announce to the family that Dad wanted to go fishing.It was Father’s Day, but who was actually doing the giving?Dad may have always accepted my presents with eager anticipation,but he was the one who offered the greatest gift.As a father, I know that my greatest assets are my children. It wasthe same for my dad. Of this I’m sure, because of the many timesI heard him say so to his comrades, or to another angler passing byand commenting on Dad’s team of small fisher boys and girls.Those days on the water with Dad find their way into many of myarticles. Obviously, those treasured times made such a lastingimpression on me as a child that I’ve brought them with me intoadulthood. The same is true for my siblings who share their outdoorexcursions-with-dadmemories at family gatherings. Father’s Daywas a big day for our family because it was an opportunity for us tospend time with Dad in his preferred environment.Fishing is a growing sport for several reasons. One is that throughoutthe year, the media frequently reminds us of the benefits the activityoffers all ages. Dad knew about thosebenefits way back when. He taught his ...those treasuredkids not only how to fish, but how tofish with a plan, and with respecttimes made such ato our natural surroundings.lasting impressionIf we were walking a lakeshore anddiscovered trash left behind by some on me as a childirresponsible rascal, we would pick itup and pitch it into a trash container that I’ve broughtback at the parking area. Dad lovedthose little lessons. Having his kids them with meaway from the hustle of everyday lifeand having our full attention, he took into adulthood.advantage of the opportunity to sharehis knowledge and respect for the great outdoors.During a recent presentation I did at a junior high school on thesubject of wild turkeys, I noticed an eagerness from the students toask questions about wildlife and its survival. What I taught the kidsthat day was accepted more easily and will be retained longer than ifI had simply passed out a handbook and told them to read it.When a young person is focused on the lesson at hand, theinformation must be entertaining and educational if it is to besuccessful and long lasting. That’s exactly what Dad did for us duringour outdoor adventures. We took advantage of Father’s Day to bewith Dad, and he took advantage of that time to teach us to respectnature. Now I transfer those important lessons to my own children.I still have some of those lures and rods I gave Dad years ago, butthe most precious gifts are the ones he gave to me on the day that wasintended to honor him. Many of the excursions I embark upon noware laced with flashbacks to my childhood, and many of thoseinclude an important message from Dad.This Father’s Day I plan to take my kids fishing. If the fish arebiting, that’s great; if not, that’s okay also. I’ll have the chance to talkwith them about important matters and share stories about thegrandpa they never met.I will be carrying on a family tradition, sharing a gift handed downfrom my dad—a gift that is more important to a father than a pair ofslippers or a new power saw.Robert Loewendick is an award-winning freelance outdoor/sports writer. E-mail him atloewendick@theparklander.com.www.naturalwonderslandscaping.com40the PARKLANDER