Following in father's footsteps is natural

Resslin' Around, by Casey Ressler

There are many rites of passages in a young adult's life, but perhaps the biggest one for a guy is when he looks into the mirror and sees a reflection of his own father.

Sometimes you turn into your father without ever even realizing it.

Growing up, I had a friend who hated mowing the lawn because his dad had to have it perfect -- the lines had to match up, perfectly straight, every time -- and Ryan would complain until it rained, so he wouldn't have to mow it. Now, Ryan lives a road down from me, and we are engaging in full-on lawn wars as adults. His is immaculate, he's meticulous about his mowing and watering patterns and often, you aren't even allowed to walk on his grass. He may not have realized it, but Ryan has become his dad through the years. Chances are, when Ryan has kids, they'll be out there in the yard, mowing elaborate patterns into their dad's weedless yard.

I know that I've slowly turned into my father through the years, albeit a severely mechanically-challenged version of the handyman who raised me. I can tell that some of my parenting skills and my actions are rooted in things I experienced growing up, and I'm proud of that. Just the other night, as my wife and daughter were waging the nightly bedtime battle, I swooped in at the last minute to calm both of them down. As I walked out of my daughter's room, I realized that almost to a word, it was exactly what my father would have done. If I turn into my father over time, my daughter will be better off as a result.

Every new parent says they are going to do things a lot differently than their parents, but I don't think that's necessary.

Certainly, you should set out on your own course, but it isn't a bad thing when you realize that you are walking in your own father's footsteps.

Father's Day celebrates all that fathers do throughout the lives of their children, from baiting the hook on that first fishing trip to lending a couple bucks for beer money to a starving college student thousands of miles from home. To all those fathers, thanks -- you're setting a good example for a new generation of dads.

Casey Ressler (valleylife@frontiersman.com) is the Valley Life editor. His dad wishes he could catch fish like Casey.