Growing up, my Dad called me Cork. Little Cork to be precise. And man did I hate it! I always thought: “I have a first name – use it!”
All of my friends, and even some colleagues, now call me Corker. (Porker also had a good run.)
My Dad used to raise my bike seat “so high” that my legs couldn’t touch the ground when I was sitting on the seat. I’d fall all the time and get frustrated that my bike wasn’t “put together properly.”
In a world of spin classes and bike trips around Hawaii, seat height never seems to be the thing I blame for the bumped knees or bruised ego.
My Dad would take us on “excursions” down unmarked paths or through “no trespassing” sites. (His argument for going into clearly marked restricted areas was that “the signs were only there for bad people” and we were, after all, “just visiting.”)
I now love a good adventure. From roadtrips and mountain hikes to sneaking backstage at concerts – I’m game. (Luckily for me, I have some great friends that “like rules” that keep this habit in check and me out of trouble.)
My Dad was a great example (and warning) of things to come. His methodology, while questionable at the time, worked. His lessons stuck. Some of the lessons and his subtle pep talks I don’t fully understand yet, but I’m confident that I will as I get older and enter new stages of my life.
Today, as we honour the fathers in our lives, I am reminded of the best part of my Dad. He prepared me for life before I knew what preparation I needed for it:
So, to all the fathers out there, hang on. As us kids grow, we’ll better understand the sacrifices you’ve made and the blessings you’ve given to us. And while we’ll never be able to truly express our gratitude for it, we’ll try. In three simple words.
I love you.
Happy Father’s Day Dad!
Pick of the Post: Lee Ann Womack – I Hope You Dance (official music video – and one of my Dad’s faves)
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3 comments
Lynda says:
June 20, 2010 at 7:33 pm (UTC 1)
Nice job Matthew!
Laura Corker says:
June 21, 2010 at 1:51 pm (UTC 1)
Love this Matt – great post!
On my first ever “excursion” with Mr. F Corker – James failed to mention the “no trespassing applies to everyone else but us” Corker rule of thumb. Luckily we weren’t shot at and the “visit” went well. Cheers to the “Father in law” as I have learned to take a few more chances in life!
Dad says:
June 21, 2010 at 8:10 pm (UTC 1)
May we “always” learn from each other!!
May we always be proud to be “Corkers”……as we make a difference!!
And most of all……..remember the wisdom in every verse, and DANCE!!!!
Matt, I love you Every Day!!