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Super Dads
Handling Parenting Challenges in a Single Bound
By Michael L. Thal
iron beam. One day Koren was dismissed from high school early. She asked if I would drive her friend home. Susan lived out of our way, but I agreed.
After we dropped Susan off I said, "That was nice of you to help out your friend." After the 20-minute drive home, while I was unpacking groceries, Koren asked me for the keys to the car. When she came back, I noticed her eyes were puffy, holding back a flood of tears.
"What's the matter?"
"I can't find my retainer. I think I left it in biology class. Can you take me back to school to find it?"
Koren had lost her retainer before. She had paid half the cost to the orthodontist. She knew she would have to pay the full $150 this time.
I said, "Sure, let's go."
While driving to school, I noticed her furrowed brow and her wringing hands. She was beating herself up better than any lecture I could give.
We found the retainer on the floor of her classroom and returned to the car. I said, "You know, you owe me one."
"Yeah! What is it?" Her eyebrows jettisoned skyward.
"Do the same for your son or daughter one day," I said. "For the same reason you helped Susan, I helped you. Each one of us is put here for the distinct purpose of making life easier for each other. I was given that opportunity today. I just hope you'll do the same for your kids."
"I will Daddy, and thank you."
The truth: Ghazarian isn't Batman, Thal's not Daredevil, Mason's no Spiderman and I am definitely not Clark Kent in disguise. We're just regular guys, dads that are there for our kids, showing them how much we care.