Back in the day, Arthur Fonzarelli, a.k.a., the Fonz, was the epitome of cool. Everyone wanted to be like him; tough motorcycle riding guy, who got all the girls. Of course, the Fonz was a fictional character and no one could really capture the magic that was Fonzie. And even though I drove a Mustang, was an average athlete, and was a part of the "in crowd" at my high school, I never really thought of myself as cool.
Fast-forward to the early 90s. Jonathan was born in 1990, Caleb came along in 92, and David stepped into our lives in 95. The pressure was on. Every dad wants to viewed by his kids as "cool," or "hip," or whatever word is used by kids of the day to describe someone who is cut from the same bolt of cloth as the Fonz. For me, however, it was an uphill battle. The time demands of pastoring full-time, being a full-time post-graduate student, and fathering prevented me from being able to display my athletic prowess on the softball field. My poor sons never had the opportunity to know just how good I was in my mind. And to make matters worse, I drove a minivan.
For almost 17years now I have heard repeatedly from my children, "Dad, get rid of the van. It's just not cool." They have suggested pick-up trucks, Mustangs, Corvettes, and any other sporty car, but never a minivan.
Until recently I had become convinced I would never be cool in my kids' eyes. But now I know my lack of hipness is their problem and not mine. They simply do not know what cool is. I have been driving a minivan for about 17 years now and all along I have been cool! I have been the hip dad cruising in my stylin' ride. Thanks to the Sienna family I now know what cool is and I am it!
So, to all of you "uncool" dads struggling with your identity, just realize that only a few of us are cool enough to pull off wearing shorts from the 80s with black socks and tennis shoes, bald spots, and minivans ; )
Journey On,
Michael
Fast-forward to the early 90s. Jonathan was born in 1990, Caleb came along in 92, and David stepped into our lives in 95. The pressure was on. Every dad wants to viewed by his kids as "cool," or "hip," or whatever word is used by kids of the day to describe someone who is cut from the same bolt of cloth as the Fonz. For me, however, it was an uphill battle. The time demands of pastoring full-time, being a full-time post-graduate student, and fathering prevented me from being able to display my athletic prowess on the softball field. My poor sons never had the opportunity to know just how good I was in my mind. And to make matters worse, I drove a minivan.
For almost 17years now I have heard repeatedly from my children, "Dad, get rid of the van. It's just not cool." They have suggested pick-up trucks, Mustangs, Corvettes, and any other sporty car, but never a minivan.
Until recently I had become convinced I would never be cool in my kids' eyes. But now I know my lack of hipness is their problem and not mine. They simply do not know what cool is. I have been driving a minivan for about 17 years now and all along I have been cool! I have been the hip dad cruising in my stylin' ride. Thanks to the Sienna family I now know what cool is and I am it!
So, to all of you "uncool" dads struggling with your identity, just realize that only a few of us are cool enough to pull off wearing shorts from the 80s with black socks and tennis shoes, bald spots, and minivans ; )
Journey On,
Michael
Any pastor that drops from the ceiling on a rope during Bible School IS WAY FAR COOL!!!!!!!!!
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