So yesterday was Father’s day – we had a great time, all the fathers (Malcolm and Rick) came over, we had a BBQ, Sophie entertained and we watched the US Open – it all seemed very “fatherly” – I received a new Iron from my girl (with financial help from mommy) and a Shirt and a Book from my Mom.
The Book was the BFG – and contrary to anyone out there trying to figure this out as a Malcolmism – The F stands for Friendly. The book is the story of a little orphan girl named Sophie and her adventures with the BFG – that’s as far as I’ve read (it was actually on the back of the book) – but it did get me thinking about Giants. There are giants walking among us, or at least there would be if you were two feet tall – and say someone about 3 times your size was in your life everyday they’d be a giant. Look at it this way If I saw someone walking down the street that was 3 times as tall as I was (17 feet tall) and weighed 10 times as much as I did (1850 lbs) I would think that this person was a giant – and I’d be right – I’d also pay close attention to what they did – and I’m sure I’d appreciate it if they picked me up and walked me around and answered my questions (things are different up there afterall) while I pointed out things and asked all sorts of questions about how everything works.
So we are all giants and its up to us to take care of the little people – it’s a very Fatherly (and Motherly) thing to do…
The Book was the BFG – and contrary to anyone out there trying to figure this out as a Malcolmism – The F stands for Friendly. The book is the story of a little orphan girl named Sophie and her adventures with the BFG – that’s as far as I’ve read (it was actually on the back of the book) – but it did get me thinking about Giants. There are giants walking among us, or at least there would be if you were two feet tall – and say someone about 3 times your size was in your life everyday they’d be a giant. Look at it this way If I saw someone walking down the street that was 3 times as tall as I was (17 feet tall) and weighed 10 times as much as I did (1850 lbs) I would think that this person was a giant – and I’d be right – I’d also pay close attention to what they did – and I’m sure I’d appreciate it if they picked me up and walked me around and answered my questions (things are different up there afterall) while I pointed out things and asked all sorts of questions about how everything works.
So we are all giants and its up to us to take care of the little people – it’s a very Fatherly (and Motherly) thing to do…
Here are some suggestions for Giants to help them show the little people in their lives how much they care. (I took this from a poster in my office)
Notice them
Smile a lot
Look in their eyes when you talk to them
Giggle together
Set Boundaries that keep them safe
Be Honest
Be Yourself
Be Happy
Unwind together
Let Them Solve most of their own problems
Play with Them
Share their excitement
Tell them how terrific they are
Make yourself available
Catch them doing something right
Ask them to help you
Wave and Say “hi” when you walk by them
Respect Them
Be silly together
Trust Them
Encourage them to help others
Expect their Best, not perfection
Tell them stories in which they are the hero
Love them No Matter what
So thanks Dad for being a constant Giant in my life for my entire life and Thank you Sophie for a great father’s day – it’s my honour and pleasure to be you own personal BFG, but you can call me Dad…
This week has been like many of the past weeks - Sophie is doing well at the daycare (she's learned to blow kisses) - Nic and I are still hitting the gym three lunch hours a week and yesterday we ran the "little bridges".
Sophie Loved the park and soon she'll be big enough to play on all that stuff by herself, which is bad news bears for me, I also enjoy all that equipement. We ended our day with a BBQ and lounging on the couch - an almost perfect end to an almost perfect day, but what else would you expect when you live in a place called Freddy Beach... 