“Life doesn’t come with an instruction book — that’s why we have fathers.” — H. Jackson Browne
Thankfully, dads provide plenty of instruction — from riding a bike to driving a stick shift, two things I happen to have mastered. It was the lesson on never letting the gas gauge go below a quarter tank that I’ve never fully grasped.
We asked Key West kids, ages 8 through 13, what makes their dad so great, and while few of them mentioned specific lessons, their responses make it obvious that kids are always watching and everything dad does makes an impact.
Happy Father’s Day to every dad, stepdad, granddad — and to every man who has been a father figure to any kid who needed it.
Every dad is different; I’m just glad I got the one I have. I love you, Dad. (And yes, I’ll put gas in my car.)
Christopher Chery, 10
“My dad always does everything for me. He takes me places and buys me stuff.”
Keion Hodges, 12
“My dad can do a back flip out of a tree and one time he did a flip off a big Styrofoam box.”
John Ciupuliga, 9
“My dad rocks because he makes a lot of jokes and makes up funny games. He’s a busy man. He works at A&B Lobster House.”
Jason Lee, 9
“My dad takes me out on the boat and to swim at my uncle’s pool. He can do flips into the pool. We’ll probably go out on the boat for Father’s Day.”
Martin Rossi. 9
“My dad is nice to everybody, and he takes us places that we like to go, like bowling at the Navy base, the pool at the Gates Hotel and to Denny’s to eat. That’s where I like to eat.”
Dominic Hernandez, 13
“My dad teaches me things that I should know and that will help me in life, like how to paint a room, and how to cook. But he always makes it fun when he’s teaching me.“
Samuel Ceron, 10
“My dad teaches me all about sports, like soccer. He knows all about the teams and the players when we watch soccer on TV. I like Portugal, the soccer team.”
Hazel Riccio, 8
“My dad’s very gentle. He taught me to ride a bike and he’s taken me around the world to places like Paris, Australia and Hawaii.”
Sadie Clark, 8
“Whenever I get hurt, he comes out to get me.”
Emily Clark, 8
“Our dad takes us to lots of different places so we can learn different cultures. Hawaii is my favorite.”
Ocean Dillon, 8
“He’s just my best friend. He always takes me to get ice cream at Flamingo Crossing, and when my mom says ‘maybe’ to something, he’ll say, ‘yes.’ And whenever I’m at swim meets or softball games, he’s there cheering the loudest. He’s just a great dad all around.”
