Bryan came to our house early on Father’s Day to help us with the dinner preparations, a task which he loves. As we took off from Bryan’s apartment, he leaned into Dad and said, “Happy Father’s Day, Dad”. Then he proceeded to tickle him and tug gently on his hair, whispering “Pussycat” – a line from “Aladdin” which he acts out to annoy his father. Let’s just say it worked!

And, then, his father annoyed him right back. Once we arrived home, he used the old “pull my finger” joke. When the desired result occurred, Dad said “Who stepped on a duck?” Bryan’s annoyed response was – “The only duck in the room is YOU, Dad!” Ah, the Dad Joke!

Bryan set to work as soon as he landed. He vacuumed the family room, the hallway, moved furniture, set up the deck with Dad, brought down all the presents from upstairs, and set the table. Then he asked if he could help me in the kitchen.

I gave him the task of making his Grandma’s Calico Beans recipe – a western PA staple. He opened the cans, poured the beans, made the sauce, added the meat and, voila! , a picnic favorite was created for the family to enjoy. He husked the corn on the cob. He helped make the tossed salad, loving the lettuce spinner.

All in all, Bryan helped make our work burden lighter and we were ready by the time company arrived. We didn’t think we could get it all done after church, but our little buddy made it possible.

After dinner, gifts were given to the three dads present. Bryan had bought a card to go along with his gift of a coffee bean grinder. The card read: ” Thanks to Dads like you…there’s so much love in the world. Happy Father’s Day. Love, Bryan”. How is it that Bryan has learned to be so helpful, so loving? He has a wonderful example of an earthly father who has learned his role from our Heavenly Father. Even with the bad Dad Jokes!

Psalm 103:13 : “As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.”