When we’re you kids, and we looked at our father, it was like we were staring at Superman. Dad knew everything. Dad could do everything. Dad was invincible. He taught us how to tie our shoes, showed us how to demonstrate respect, transferred an amazing work ethic, showed me how to provide for myself and a family… all of which have been essential to my adult life.
I know in this day in age, having a father in your life is sometimes a commodity. It’s a rare event that dad’s stay involved in a child’s life as an active participant. I’m lucky to have such a great man who helped shape who I am today.
But, as Mufasa explained to young Simba, “A king’s time as ruler rises and falls like the sun. One day, the sun will set on my time here, and will rise with you as the new king.” But what the quote doesn’t fully explain is that sometimes, sunsets are beautiful, and you get to bask in the glory of an amazing view.
I helped my grandmother move this weekend. I won’t go into the arduous details, but what’s important is that my dad came to proudly offer his help to his mother-in-law during the big event. Closing one chapter of her life, and flipping the page to her next chapter. But sometimes, two stories are told at the same time.
My one time Superman had met his unavoidable kryptonite. Age is a deamon that possesses us all, but unfortunately there is no exorcism to cast out the curse of growing old.
After only minutes, he seemed weak, tired, and the worse part: seeing him suffer knowing that at one time he would have been the muscle of the operation. 11 years ago dad had a triple bypass. The procedure should have been a quadruple bypass, but one artery was too damaged to repair. The Dr. gave him one year to live because of the damage, but said the average life span for a patient with a triple bypass was 10 years. I moved home from college to spend the remaining time with him and support my mother through the hard times. The eldest sons often feel this compulsion of responsibility.
I’m blessed to have been raised with a father in my life, but it’s a double edged sword. We fought so much during my teen years, I couldn’t wait to move away from home to get away. Then in college, I would come home and discuss classes and degree plans. After I moved home, we’d discuss politics, current events, philosophies, and life in general. Now I realize my superman is one of the wisest men I know and I can’t possibly learn all I need to now that the sun has begun to set on his time here. It’s like my own personal Tuesday’s with Morrie story. I hope I don’t waste any of the remaining time we’ve been granted.
Someday I’ll take over… but I CAN wait to be king.
