Shot in the Dark

Father’s Day

Via Night Writer, one of the better Father’s Day posts:

I was moved by the story yesterday of the Mentor, MN man who was killed when he used his own body to protect his 25-year-old daughter from debris during a tornado. The man, Wes Michaels, was the owner of the Cenex station in Mentor and was taking the day off to celebrate his 58th birthday. His daughter was covering for him at the station. When he heard the news reports of severe weather headed their direction he went to his business to check on things and to warn his daughter and their customers. Shortly after arriving he saw the tornado coming right at them, and directed everyone into the business’s walk-in cooler, finally laying himself down on top of his daughter as the tornado hit. She survived with bruises and some stiffness … and an eternal reminder of a father’s love.

It symbolizes for me the ideal of a father literally laying down his life for his child; I’d even imagine that Mr. Michaels didn’t even think twice in the moment but reacted automatically as he would have done if his daughter were five instead of 25.

Of course, Night’s daughter, Mall Diva, is having a baby pretty soon here.  Mall and her husband (whose name nobody can remember) (no, I’m kidding, it’s Ben, formerly of Hammerschwing, and currently of Grumpy Old Men) are planning on having a home delivery, a technique used in 35% of the births of first children and .06% of second and subsequent ones.  Night’s not going to participate…

As I confronted this in myself today I knew that my place is here. Not in the same room, but close by, praying, jingling car keys, lifting furniture…just — as I’ve always promised my girls — being there. Even if I’d rather face down a tornado.

Anyway, read the whole thing. And happy belated Father’s Day, all you dads out there.

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Mitch Berg

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10 responses to “Father’s Day”

  1. Night Writer Avatar
    Night Writer

    Thanks, Mitch. And happy “Grandfather’s” Day to you!

  2. Kermit Avatar
    Kermit

    Greater love hath no man than he should lay down his life…
    Heaven just got a little better.

  3. Troy Avatar
    Troy

    “a technique used in 35% of the births of first children and .06% of second and subsequent ones”

    That seems backward from what it should be, doesn’t it. *shrug*

  4. Dog Gone Avatar
    Dog Gone

    That was beautifully written, one of the best descriptions of the differences between being a grown-up man, a father and husband, compared to simply being biologically male, that I have read.

    I toast you with raising my cuppa coffee. Applause, Night Writer, applause!

    Already wished you a happy father’s day Mitch – forgot to add, “and a happy first grandfather’s day” as well.

  5. unclebenjamin Avatar
    unclebenjamin

    Troy, I think Mitch is joking on how first time mothers might think it’s a good idea, but reject home birth after having experienced it. Or do you mean that women, having had a lousy hospital experience (It’s Tuesday, Let’s have a c-section!) would naturally want a more natural, sane birth the second time around?

  6. Night Writer Avatar
    Night Writer

    Why, thank you, DG! I blush…

  7. Mitch Berg Avatar
    Mitch Berg

    DG,

    Thanks! 🙂

  8. Dog Gone Avatar
    Dog Gone

    One minor observation, while it may be very noble and endearing to “give your wife the last doughnut” in the example Night Writer provided……..its much more romantic to split the doughnut, enjoying both the sharing of the doughnut, and the shared sacrifice of neither husband or wife having the whole pastry—- especially if you chose to share it by alternating bites.

    Sometimes the duration of relationships over time can lose those little tender qualities that add to those other important ones….just saying….it doesn’t need to be ALL selfless!

  9. Ben Avatar
    Ben

    Great story, but the Obama Admin doesn’t feel like you guys do, check this creepy site out…
    http://www.fatherhood.gov/

  10. Troy Avatar
    Troy

    unclebenjamin, I had heard (and “experienced”, second hand, one time, yada yada, …) that the first birth was more difficult than second (and, I am assuming/hearing, subsequent) births.

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