So on Saturday, the family patriarch (Big Papa) came to me and informed me that a small landslide had blocked a steep, narrow road which had been pioneered up a mountain several years ago on his property. He had discovered it while out riding his ATV. He asked me if I might be interested in using a piece of equipment to go clear this off for him.
Being a man of insight and wisdom, he knows that this is all the invitation that I need to go operate equipment. Of course, I said yes. Shortly after, I was on a hillside operating a Cat 430E backhoe, assaulting a pile of mud and debris. The stuff was sloppy. The road was treacherous as a result of ice. The mud on top of the ice didn't help. My young son was sitting on my lap. It was several hours well spent.
Some men get crazy about hunting, or fishing, or a small block Chevy... For me, it's the love of the yellow iron. It always has been. The nostalgia gets pretty thick as I remember sitting on my own father's lap as he operated a John Deere Grader back in Northern Minnesota. Dad was a pretty amazing operator, and I got to go share in that with him.
Will my boy remember this weekend and those couple hours with me? I dunno. Knowing how bright he is, and how well I remember things from that age; probably. Even if he doesn't, I will. It will mean something to me as I recollect that I tried to share these things with him; that I tried to share some of my life and joys with him. If there is one great truth that I have been introduced to it is this: fathers teach their sons what they know (whether they realize it or not).
At one point, I let the little guy take the sticks and throw some dirt around. He did me proud with his abilities... He is digging away and declares rather precociously "Dad, this is one of the coolest days of my life, ever."
Yeah, I think that he will probably remember.
Way to go Pat!
ReplyDeleteI have a few fond memories myself. One in particular working with my father as a "gopher" on a home remodel. When he asked me how much I wanted to be paid for my labor, I stretched myself, and asked for a penney a minute. I was shocked and amazed when he agreed! Yeah, Tristan will remember. Good job! You make me proud!
Fred