Somewhere Between Popeye & Superman

“Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound…” Finished my friend after listing the qualities she believed a dad should have. Even though she was only a little bit serious about dads having this quality, it made me think about how all fathers are a little bit the super hero in their children’s eyes.

Some dads, like mine, are Batman! Wielding their nifty gadgets they can single handedly fix any broken toy or help build a science project the night before it’s due.

Then there are the Superman dads that know exactly how to intimidate closet monsters so they don’t dare show their faces… At least not for twenty-four hours!

The Incredible Hulk dad teaches patience. That and if you hold your breath long enough you’ll turn blue, er… Green.

Everyday you will find evidence of a Blue Falcon dad (and his trusty side-kick Dyno Mutt). They are the ones who teach responsibility and caring. They also teach us what happens when you overfeed the goldfish and they are really great at handling burials at sea.

The pranksters are the Captain Caveman dads. Always able to bring out a smile in the most stubborn toddler, they’re the ones that have a ready knock-knock joke and self-inflating whoopee cushion.

Spinach pushing Popeye dads teach the importance of nutrition and exercise. You can find them hanging out at the park and the ball field as well as the kitchen whipping up a batch of spinach quiche #9.

Spider Man dads like to teach the subtle magic art of listening. Always there to hang on your every word they make you feel like you are the most important person on the planet. They are also quite handy to have around Halloween.

Last but certainly not least are the SHAZAM dads. Overflowing with Solomon’s wisdom, Herculean strength, Atlas’ stamina, Zeus’ power, Achilles’ courage and Mercury’s speed he teaches his children by example in every thing he says and does.

No matter if your dad is Popeye, Superman or something in between he is special just because he has YOU!


***Dedicated to MY dad who is a little bit Popeye, Superman AND everything in between!***


***FEATURED in the JUNE 2002 issue of Jellybean Junction*** http://www.4jellybean.com