By Todd Wilson

Hey Dad,

Let me start by saying what an honor it is to be a new addition to this publication. To be honest, I don’t know diddly about most of these machines. But rest assured, I am a manly kind of dad. I own a chainsaw and lots of tools, and I even occasionally spit.

I’m the dad of 8 children, and my 9 grandchildren call me Pops. For the last 20 years, I’ve traveled the country in an old RV that we affectionately call the Familyman Mobile, encouraging dads about what matters most.

That’s because we dads forget. We think life's about what we do with these amazing machines and how they enable us to build our businesses, but the truth is we’re building families, not just businesses.

It’s like the dad who loved a nice, green lawn. He fertilized it a couple times a year and attacked crabgrass like it was his enemy. One day he came home to see his kids playing baseball in the yard, having worn out long patches between the bases. His wife was afraid he’d blow his stack when he saw it and was surprised when he walked in the door and greeted her with a smile.

She smiled back and asked, “Did you see what the kids did to the lawn?” “Yep,” he said, setting down his lunch sack.

“Aren’t you going to get mad and tell them to stop?” she added.

He sighed and said, “Nope. I keep reminding myself that I’m growing children, not a lawn.“

That dad got it. He knew what mattered most. I, on the other hand, am stupid and need someone to remind me, or I’ll spend my whole life on stuff that doesn’t matter. We all need reminding…YOU need reminding, Dad.

That’s what I hope to do every other issue (or at least until they fire me).

And just so you know this about me...I’m a normal dad who blows it more times than I succeed. I get mad, miss the teachable moments, and forget how good I have it.

BUT I never give up. That’s what we dads have to do. Fail, ask forgiveness, and then get back in the game.

Older dads get it. They come up to me in McDonald’s and remind me all the time. Every Saturday, my entire family gathers at McDs for lunch. We take up a lot of space and are loud and messy. There are times when I feel overwhelmed and others can tell.

That’s when God sends an old dad to my table. He smiles and says, “You’ve got a good-looking family.”

I smile and say something polite, hoping he’ll leave, but then he places his hand on my shoulder, leans in toward my face and says, “Enjoy them."

I need those reminders from old dads (who might be angels) because kids grow up so fast. One day they’re toddling around the floor and the next they’re having families of their own.

I bet those old dads have regrets. Maybe they spent too much time building businesses, tending farms, or keeping their lawns green. Now they have regrets…but it’s too late for them so they remind younger, tired dads like me…to enjoy them while I can.

That’s why I’m reminding you now and will continue to do so every month. I want you to enjoy them while you can...because they’ll be grown and gone before you can snap your fingers.

You ‘da dad,

Todd

Todd Wilson

"The Familyman"

#stayingmarried

C - 574-253-1663

Familyman Website - www.familymanweb.com

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