I was thinking about my son, Doug, today. Like many parents, I think of my children probably every day even though they are all on their own now. Almost every day something comes up that makes me think of them. Either that or I just wonder how they’re doing.
You see this is Doug’s first Father’s Day. My granddaughter Ella was born in January. Yup, Doug’s first Father’s Day and he’s somewhere off the coast on an aircraft carrier. He’s not “technically” on deployment, that won’t happen until next spring but almost a year before deployment they start doing “work-ups.” It’s kind of like training camp to make sure the ship does what it’s supposed to do and the sailors do too. He left earlier this week and they’ll be out for about a month.
Earlier this week Doug told me that it was tough saying goodbye to his wife and daughter. He and his wife have had multiple deployments but this is the first one with a little one at home. He told his best friend Chad, “You didn’t tell me how hard this was going to be!” Chad, who has two little girls of his own, said, “Yeah. It sucks! You want to help me with this?”
As I’ve said before, I don’t think we truly realize the sacrifices our service members make until it hits home.
My son-in-law missed many “firsts” in his son’s life while he was on deployment all over the world. Steven is an air traffic controller. He’s based in Texas now but for many years he was landing jets in the middle of the Persian Gulf or the Mediterranean Sea. Can you imagine coordinating the landing of a $70 million dollar jet in a rolling ocean sometimes in the dark? Kind of makes my job seem totally stress free.
I know Father’s Day can be a difficult time for many. Not everyone had the best relationship or any relationship with their father. I hardly knew mine. My father died when I was six and I have very few memories.
I always tried to think of the people who were father figures in my life . For me, it was my good friend Roland who helped me navigate those teen years.
Who was it for you?
If you had a great dad I’m happy for you. Maybe it was an uncle, a coach, teacher or minister/preacher. I hope there was someone for you and I hope you take a moment today to think of them and maybe reach out if they are still with us.
My wife and kids have always made Father’s Day special for me. For years there always seemed to be a softball tournament that weekend. No matter where we were, how long the day was or how many games we played, Father’s Day always included a good meal or at least a trip for some ice cream.
I’m being totally honest when I say it was never about the gifts on Father’s Day. It was great just to have everybody together and it helped me realize what it was all about.
Now that they are all on their own it’s just wonderful to get a text or phone call. And there’s no doubt in my mind there will be an email from Senior Chief Petty Officer Doug Braley at some time today.
I hope the Navy keeps him busy today but I know he’ll be thinking about home. I know my daughter-in-law will make it up to him with some kind of Father’s Day celebration. Of course Ella is too young to realize what’s going on but I can imagine how difficult it is for our servicemen and women.
Sometimes those words can seem hollow when we say, “Thank you for your service.” This is one “part” of their service that I don’t think we consider enough. Let’s keep them all in our thoughts.
Happy Father’s Day Doug!
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