GAIL WHITE Spending time with Dad is the greatest gift on Father's Day

"Want to have a cookout?"
It is a question my father asks nearly every weekend during the summer. When schedules permit, we can't wait to come and eat.
My dad has cookouts down to a science. He loads up the grill with hot dogs and hamburgers, then loads it again with chicken, filet mignon and baked potatoes. He has a special fork/spatula with a temperature gauge so everything is cooked to perfection.
I always feel guilty watching him slave over the hot grill because most of what he is cooking will be eaten by my hungry family.
But Dad seems to enjoy this labor of love.
"Did you see him? He just plowed a hole for that guy to run through!"
When one of my sons is on the football field, my dad sees no one but him.
After a game, Grandpa rehashes every play with the football star, telling him what he did well and sharing ways to improve.
There have been so many wet, cold miserable games when I feel bad that he sits through such weather. But it takes more than a little rain or snow to keep Grandpa away from a grandson's game.
"... and I opened the door in my bare feet!"
The entire family fell into uproarious laughter as my father described what happened after my niece painted his toenails bright red. The man at the door, stopping by to ask a business question, will never look at him the same.
Grandpa has been subjected to playing with dolls, having tea parties with stuffed animals, numerous new hairdos -- barrettes included -- and ice skating while spending time with his granddaughter.
There seems to be nothing the man will object to. Based on his smile, we suspect he is enjoying himself immensely.
"I want to ride the horsey!"
The horsey is the crook of Grandpa's foot, sat upon by the youngest grandchild and bounced into the air. Once Grandpa's horsey gets tired and stops -- which is at least half a dozen times after Grandpa has said his horsey is tired and wants to stop -- then it is time to climb the mountain.
Little feet climb up Grandpa's chest until they reach his shoulders then, flip! Down to the floor they go -- only to climb up the mountain once more.
Grandpa's horsey ride doesn't last as long as it used to, but he's never too tired for at least a few rides.
"We want a treehouse!"
The request from my children was directed to their father, who in turn, directed the request to Grandpa.
A simple, little floor up in a tree was my husband's plan.
Grandpa's plan was much more grand.
After hours and hours of hammering, a house -- deck included -- answered my children's request beyond their wildest dreams.
Caring from within
In a day and age when we seem to bombard loved ones with things to show we care, I am grateful for a father who bombards those he loves with his time.
From the days when he spent countless hours coaching my softball teams to now, as he dotes over my children, Dad has a legacy of time.
I know in my younger days, the hours he spent with my activities most certainly could have been time spent accomplishing his own tasks -- cutting the lawn, fixing up the house, repairing cars or, heaven forbid, simply relaxing.
And now, while he sits at his grandson's ballgames or plays house with his granddaughter, he could be in a far more comfortable setting -- like at a house on a beach.
He assures us, in time, he will.
There are a lot of things that can be substituted or replaced in this world.
But there is no substitution or replacement for time.
This Father's Day we will honor my father by buying him a shirt and perhaps a tie. But more important than those things, we will bestow upon Dad the greatest gift, the one that he has so faithfully given to us -- time.
We will have a cookout, play a game of ball, maybe paint a few nails. No doubt, Grandpa's horsey will be in full swing.
Happy Father's Day, Dad!
We hope to give you a wonderful time!
gwhite@vindy.com