Hey Dad,

For those of you who read about tonight's lunar eclipse on the You 'da Dad Daily Calendar—it was last night. Obviously, I forgot to carry the one when I was doing the mathematical calculations last year. Let me just say, you missed a good one—because of me.

But to make it up to you, let me alert you to the fact that the peace sign is 50 years old today. Check out the website below to learn about it and why it was designed that way …. kind of interesting.

Last bit of trivia: did you hear that Michael Jackson's Thriller album was released 25 years ago this month? Man, I feel old. But maybe that's because I'm still suffering from a little bit of a 13th birthday hangover from this weekend.

After spending the night on a WWII submarine for my son Ben's 13th birthday, we had to do something special for my son Sam's 13th birthday. So we surprised our kids with a night at the local Amish indoor waterpark (I know that sounds weird). The kids had a blast, and we did it up right by ordering pizza, eating junk food, opening presents, and watching a special video. Like Ben's 13th, we had a special ceremony where Sam was prayed over and given a sword (actually a gift certificate for a Prince Caspian Sword when it is available) to serve as a reminder of the great responsibility laid upon him of becoming a man.

It was a great time and one that will be etched in their minds forever.

My grandma taught me that. She lives in a nursing home near my folks. She's getting up there in years and doesn't remember much. She's foggy about her children, can't remember her grandchildren, and doesn't seem to recall being married to the man of her dreams for 60 years. But she does remember her dad.

The really awesome part of that thought is that one day my children might be in a nursing home. Like my grandma, they may not remember much, but could remember their dad (me), who has already been dead for 40 years. They may not remember their own wedding day, but they just might remember pizza in a hotel room, zipping down a big waterslide, and being held in their dad's arms.

I won't kid you; it was a pricey weekend … but worth every cent.

You 'da Dad,

© 2008 Todd Wilson. Used by permission.

[02/22/2008]

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