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Hey Dad,

Well, after two weeks on the road, today is the first time we had to be towed. The distance towed was only 1.8 miles, and technically, they pulled us … but it still counts.

Up till now, things have gone swimmingly. Of course we almost froze to death in Duluth, but Monday we were able to enjoy a little fun at the Mall of America in St. Paul, MN. That's when I discovered and codified the East Mister Shortest Dad Catechism—The chief purpose of a Dad is to wave and smile.

I discovered it as my sons Cal and Jed drove around a little track at the Mall of America. And then I did it again when Maggie rode the Ferris Wheel, when Jed road the Carousel … when Ben and Sam rode the Brain Freeze … and when Ike stood on a gangplank four stories above the floor.

I waved and smiled as only a dad can do … with gusto. I know they all liked seeing the pleasure in my face as I watched them and waved. Then it hit me; that's what I'm supposed to do—what we're all supposed to do.

Yeah, I know we have important stuff to teach our children, but I think what they really want is for us to wave and smile at them, not just when they go around a theme park ride, but also when they ride their first bike, swing high, get their driver's license and first job, share a dream, walk down the aisle, buy their first house, have a child … or anything else in which they look to their Dad for approval.

That's when we should wave and smile … cheering them on. Sadly, we dads don't do it as often as we should. But we need to.

So find a reason to wave and smile … today.

You 'da dad,

© 2011 Todd Wilson. Used by permission

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