Lucky Dad

They came into the building being  more loud than the quiet their mother told them to be. Their voices were hushed and loud. I knew they were inside the door. A quick sprint down the hall, shoes shuffling, flopping, a  trip, a shove, and two boys stood in the doorway to my office. Dust under Sun tanned faces. Shirt sleeves cut off. Dirty knees,  sweat beads on  noses. Smiles probably hiding some mischief, or not hiding the pleasure they had in surprising dad.  Aaron and Patrick, ten and six, had come to see their dad at the office. Lucky dad.

I drove across town today to see Patrick at his first day on the job at US Cellular sales. Walked across the parking lot, 94 degrees hot. Sweat beads. Eager to see my son. P saw me in the doorway. My smile was for my pleasure in being there for my son.  We hugged like men who are proud of each other. Our pride is not for what we do, but for what we be.  Lucky dad.