Imperfect Perfect Moments With Dad

As a son, no one is more qualified than I am to highlight my dad’s flaws.  For the first thirty years of my life I actually thought it was my job and responsibility to point them out.  When I think of flaws I am reminded of some amazing stories that best demonstrate just how imperfect my dad is.

Jeremy and John Watkin on one of our many fishing trips.

One of my favorite things to do with my dad is to go fishing.  We used to trout fish often at the Santa Ana River in the mountains near Big Bear Lake, California.  The stretch of stream we would fish required driving across the stream to get to some of the better spots.  My dad would fearlessly ford the river in our little, red Toyota Corolla.  One fishing trip followed a particularly rainy season and the stream was flowing higher than normal.  As we drove the car to the middle of the stream we became keenly aware of the increased depth and the car engine stalled.

We had to climb out of the car windows, push the car to shore and wait for the engine to dry out a bit.  The good news is that while we waited, my dad pointed out a great fishing hole for me and I ended up catching the biggest fish of the day.  I guess the actual good news is that the car eventually started and we made it home safely.

I am celebrating my fifth father’s day today and if fatherhood has done nothing else for me it has shown me just how flawed I am.  I can’t tell you how many times I have crossed my fingers hoping I’m not permanently damaging my kids.  I’m so prone toward impatience and snap judgement when I should err on the side of love.

It’s in these moments that I find myself grateful that I have a flawed father.  In the same way my dad always guided me to the best fishing hole, I find myself running to my dad because of his amazing depth of wisdom born out of his flaws.  You see, my dad is not my hero in spite of his flaws.  My dad is my hero because of his flaws.  Happy Father’s Day!

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