Rummaging through my tool box, my search paid off, as I found a tape measure. Giving it a glance, I smiled. There on its metal side was a name. An engraving from my grandpa, saying very clearly it was his, “K. Franck.”

Grandpa Franck died many years ago, but his light still shines. Just the thought of him made me smile. A light shining across the years, bringing a happy thought to my morning.

We all are capable of making others happy. It wasn’t the tape measure or the engraving that brought me joy, but rather the memory of a kind and loving person, who helped me become the kind and loving man that I am today.

So keep doing what is right.. Spread joy. Spread kindness. Spread love. For someday, your light will continue to shine, even long after you are gone.

Arriving late at my high school son’s track meet, I soon spotted him in the distance. There he was on the grassy football field talking with his friends.

I wasn’t wearing my glasses, but I could have sworn that he pointed at me. My boy had spotted me sitting on a grassy hill. I smiled.

Soon, he started walking my way. He crossed the track and began climbing the hill. I smiled wider.

Then inexplicably, my boy continued past me. Not more than forty feet away, he continued up the hill. Confused, I got up to follow him. I had brought some snacks, surely that would interest his teen appetite.

Still lagging behind him, I smiled again. My boy opened a blue door and entered. My boy had not been headed toward me, the porta potties were his true destination.

Returning to the hill, I smiled again. I smiled knowing that my boy would walk my way again and this time, I could see that there wasn’t a porta potty on the other side.

Nothing wipes the taste of defeat from your mouth like a trip to Dairy Queen.

On behalf of all dads, I would like to thank Retail America. Yep, for one month, we will receive uninterrupted recognition.

Take this lovely card for instance…

What I just said, never mind.

One side effect of making fun of your father in the audience, who happens to be taking your picture, is that you tend to smile. Smile for the camera, that is.

#Winning #DadStyle

Working from her home office, my wife asked me to look at her computer. The scanner refused to save documents as a pdf. I scratched my chin. Curious.

I proceeded to randomly click on buttons, when I came to a realization. My wife’s new tech support staff is completely incompetent, but oh so handsome. Overall, I’d say that’s a win. #HomeOfficeStyle

I understand it. Really, it’s forgivable. Two handsome gents. In that case, it’s hard not to stare. So go ahead, monitor away. We’ll be right here smiling back. Two handsome gents. Loving your jealous glare.

Standing outside my teen’s room, I bellowed for the third time, “Jacob, dinner!”

From inside, I received a typically annoyed response, “Dad, I know!”

Pausing, I smiled. Not because of the attitude. Not because of the shrill tone. Not even because he finally answered. No, I smiled, because my boy had said the “know” in what was clearly a Minnesota accent.

Well, the calendar says May 9th and you know what? Christmas has just ended.

Earlier today, I spotted the final Christmas decoration. In the basement bathroom, a Santa hand towel took refuge beneath various lotions and travel size shampoos. Well Holiday stowaway, the snow has melted, Easter has gone by, summer is almost here, and it’s time for you to go. Christmas is over, my calendar tells me so.

History is full of incredible examples of endurance.

Pheidippides run from Marathon to Athens.

Houdini holding his breath for over three minutes.

People claiming to have listened to all of In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida.

Well today, I witnessed something just as astounding. In order to avoid going out into the rain, our beagle Kirby refused to go pee for twelve and a half hours.

Congrats Kirby, the folks at Guinness will be in touch shortly.