Gadgets, gifts galore

Father's Day: Where does it begin?

The annual morning ritual of coffee and some delectable little sweet that I shouldn't have, or the idea that someone "forgot" my gift and, if I will lend her $10, she can run down to the nearest department store and get me a shirt or tie or cologne or ...

Children today are so busy with email or instant messaging or blogging or texting or whatever the communication-of-the-second is that they have no time for ritual and traditions.

When they were little they made pots with their hands imprinted on them and they made message holders from paper plates. They always put their pictures on them somehow and I have a gallery of them on various items throughout the house. Each of the gifts is special and each one unique.

The children in those pictures are becoming beautiful young adults and soon will have children of their own. I don't look forward to them having to be responsible for other children because in my mind's eye they are still the beautiful little babies we received in the front yard from the folks at the foster shelter -- the ones who, with a wave of the hand or a tear in the eye, have changed the direction of my entire life.

One of my daughters is an artist and extremely quiet and graceful. She keeps her heart and her feelings deeply hidden away and rarely shows her emotions. My other daughter is a very talented singer, actor, composer, designer and so much more who is constantly the center of the vortex.

The mood of the world is dependent upon the one who is currently center stage and who's need is the most dire. I have to drop what I am doing and run to their rescue or sit on my hands and try not to rescue them so they can learn how to do it themselves -- something I am constantly being reminded of as in "I can do it Dad."

The older one wants my keys and the younger one my bank account, and both swear they want me to be happy. But what physical item will make me happy?

Is it the new generation of power tools from Craftsman that recharge in three minutes so I can have another 25 percent power for my chores. Or the latest offering from Loctite Super Glue, or the newest barbecue from Char-Broil with infrared gas technology? All so I can work faster, glue tighter and even barbecue quicker. That way I can cram more into the time I have .

To me, the best time is when I can slow down and take things the way they are supposed to be done. Fish with a pole, cook on a wood/charcoal grill or just enjoy a bottle of wine. Slowing down and just enjoying the moment has become more and more important to me.

Recently, I discovered "The Beast," a barbecue grill that is of gigantic proportions and multiple capabilities. I can grill, smoke or bake all on the same grill and still take time for a glass of wine with friends. It requires nothing from me except time and patience, which, to me, are fatherly traits that we all have to learn as we grow up with our children.

So I will spend this Father's Day in the backyard listening to my daughter sing her latest rendition or my other daughter will draw or paint something for me, while I am relaxing with a bottle of good red wine and smelling a good porterhouse sizzling on The Beast.