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Hey Dad,

I'm going to do something I've never done before, and that is address a few letters that have been sent to me by more than one well-meaning dad. Of course, I'm going to change the names and details a little so those well-meaning dads won't feel like I'm picking on them.

Hey Todd,

Sure enjoy getting the Familyman Weekly, but I'm getting a little sick of you complaining about how hard it is for you traveling around the country with your family in an RV. Do you know how many of us would love to do what you're doing? But we can't because we have REAL jobs.

(signed) Envious in Minneapolis

Dear Envious,

First of all, you envy MY life? Have you not read about all the mechanical breakdowns, fathering meltdowns, and hardships of having nine people in a 30-foot RV? Take today, for example: The kids are loud and annoying, I'm mad at everyone because I spent at least an hour being lost in New Jersey, and now we're sitting in the back of a crummy parking lot doing laundry. My fellow dad, sometimes I fantasize about working in your REAL job where you leave the chaos behind and wear shiny shoes and non-wrinkled, clean clothes to a quiet office. Oh, yes, I do love my life on the road with my family, BUT it is hard, real hard sometimes.

But what concerns me about your letter is that you write as though we dads cannot choose the life we want. If you truly desire traveling around in an RV with your family, then choose that.

Yes, you may have to make some lifestyle changes, but if that's what you want, then go for it. If you want to have the summer off, then get a job (like a teacher) that gives you the summers off. You may have to live in a smaller house or have only one car, but if that's what you really want, then CHOOSE it. Don't sit around lamenting the fact that you can't. You can. You just have to make some choices.

I did. I chose to take the harder road by taking my family with me when I speak. I know most speakers pack their bags, say good-bye to the family, and then jump on a plane and stay in quiet hotel rooms for several days. That's their choice; not mine.

Dads, we are not trapped by the roll of the Job-Wheel-of-Fortune. We have no one to blame but ourselves for our choices of where we are or what we are. We are free to choose the best or the worst at any time.

So, Dad, I'm going to keep sharing about the choices I make—good or bad. And, I'm going to keep encouraging you to CHOOSE the best.

You 'da dad, and that's the best,

© 2006 Todd Wilson. Used by permission.

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