I came across a quote from Carrie Underwood today concerning her father:

“My dad’s the kind of person that most likely he’ll never, you know, look at me or my sisters and say, ‘Hey, I’m proud of you,’ or ‘You’re doing a great job,’ or anything like that, but I catch him, like, watching things that he’s taped of me on TV and stuff like that. You know, that means a lot. And I’d meet co-workers of his that used to work with him, and they’d say, ‘Your dad has pictures of you all over his desk.’ Like, proud, to the world (laughs) . . . not so much to me, but proud to the world.”

I will never presume to tell anyone how to parent their child, I’ll tell you this though…I don’t think you can tell your children ENOUGH how proud you are of them.

My dad never missed a game.  And there were a lot of them.  Whether I won or lost, led the league in scoring, or threw a bad interception, the one thing I can remember Pop sharing with me after every game were these four words, “I’m proud of you.”

At the time, I didn’t realize how much it meant.  As I look back though, I believe those “atta-boys” were the foundation of a self-confidence and belief that has carried me as an adult-through good times and bad.

The spectator athletic competitions ended for me a long time ago.  And I’ve been away from my father’s house for almost as long as I lived in it.  However, to this day, there is not a time when we’re together that Pop doesn’t look at me and tell me, “I’m proud of you.”  And it means even more now when I know it has NOTHING to do with ANYTHING sports related.

Gentlemen, there will come a time when your little man or princess is no longer under your roof.  Would it mean more for you to look back and know “Fred” in the next cubicle was aware of how proud of your children you are; OR, for your children to know.  Your Father’s Day gift to them this weekend is to let them know…from your own lips.

Pride is one of the seven deadly sins, but not when it’s shared with, about, and for those who mean the most.

And Pop…I don’t know if you’re listening online right now…I know it’s been rough lately…but don’t ever doubt that I am proud of YOU too.  Happy Father’s Day.

And that’s something you can hang your hat on.