
So father’s day has come and gone eh! And maybe you called to wish the man who meant so much Happy Father’s Day. Or did you take him to the local Home Depot to buy a new tool and a lawn mow for him to continue working and being active? Maybe you took him to a good restaurant to eat a steak that melts in his mouth! “Wow” As Ben Stein would say, in his signature low key of excitement.
Why should we wait though for the turn of one day once every twelve months, to be so sentimental about this entity of fatherhood, and the source from whence you came? If it hadn’t been for the fact that he coupled your mother and had his sperm connected to her egg, YOU wouldn’t be here. Yet you wait for the commercialized trick to show your love and your appreciation, sometimes by that terse nonsensical wish.
So you bought him the tool set he wanted! You couldn’t help it really as you were inundated by the plethora of them that lined your pathways through the stores, the days leading up to the day. Get your gift early they say. You couldn’t resist the coupons for discounted prices and the marketing strategy that made them look “so affordable”.
By the presentation of this gift with the ubiquitous wish could it be like a Judas kiss that actually is saying, get up papa! Continue to work, work and work more, mow the lawn more with this new machine, fix more things, yes work till you drop dead! Them we will cremate you and fight over the insurance policy amongst other things you left behind.
Oh no!...you didn’t do that tool thing. You are a little more sophisticated. You took him to that posh restaurant uptown, where the meat melts in your mouth and you let him feed his face with one of their choice cuts. Melts in your mouth indeed! Who designed that phrase? Could it have been some sick no teeth person? Certainly not a baby! So many times I have seen people describing what is supposed to be a good piece of beef, on food channel television, as melting in your mouth. Shouldn’t this be only for ice cream and other soft mushy stuffs like baby food?
The steaks that are produced today are so soft they melt in your mouth. Indeed those meats that are engineered with steroids and growth hormones amongst other things like artificial feeds. So the steak will melt in your mouth yes, but is that necessarily something good… or bad?
What do we have teeth for particularly the canine and the molars? Isn’t it for tearing and chewing? Growing up in Jamaica our cows used to be fed by only grass that they choose to eat from the range, and they would drink water to wash it down from the ponds or streams. They would then lie down under a tree regurgitate the rough grass and then chew it to a pulp and swallow to complete the digestive process.
That meat did not melt in your mouth, and probably required a little longer cooking time or more cooking skills. My recollection however, is that it tasted like beef with a distinct flavor that you could enjoy and savor.
You might , however say, Oh!...I didn’t do any of the above I took my father on a cruise…we went fishing…we spent quality time together. So what, do you get a cookie now? Guess what still no cookie for you! You have considered that doing something with him or for him is desirable, and you might be right so I am not really knocking it.
But you love the guy don’t you, and you want him to be around as long as he possible can too. So my question is did you take the fellow to the doctor to get a full battery of checks? If so, as they would say in Britain, “Brilliant!” but if not shame on you, and you should take some eggs in your face. Here is why. A full battery of test would INCLUDE checking his Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) level. This is a life saving technique that early detects prostate cancer where it can be easily rectified. There is also the Digital Rectal Examination (DRE) where the doctor physically examines you with a finger method.
Because a man dies every nineteen minutes from prostate cancer, and one in six men will have the disease according to the latest statistics by the American Cancer Society, these important steps can save his life. The worst case scenario here is that you improve the quality of his life, through healthful habits so that he can share more quality years with you.
Maybe next time around you might want to schedule a doctor’s visit and take the guy in yourself. Whether you call him pappy, dad, ole man, daddy, or pops, doing this one act of kindness for him will not only draw you closer , but the other benefits are also obvious.
I hope you have received this message in a bottle and be the first to claim your cookie. Your well deserved cookie for ensuring much more father’s days.
In the meantime read my story by clicking this title link: Prostate Cancer And Me…Or You, The Two Stages, (Man To Man) available at Amazon.com.
Continue to look for the piece coming up THE REAL REASONS WE DIE.
Until then walk good and pack light.