11/20/2023
"I hates going on hikes."
That's what I heard from my seven-year-old son.
I had just told him we were going on a hike.
With our two wild huskies.
As a dad of two older girls, all I wanted was a son who enjoyed my hobbies.
Someone who wanted to hang out with me.
But he'd rather be with mom.
Or on his iPad.
But he had no choice.
So he decided to join me.
We packed up the car with the dogs and drove off.
Once we got there.
We got out of the car.
Crossed a busy road.
Finally, we reached the trail entrance.
It's uphill to get in.
But I love this place.
The views are incredible.
It's like a creek flowing through hills.
With a river on one side.
As we walked uphill, the dogs were pulling like crazy.
Sniffing everything.
My son started picking up sticks.
Swinging them at trees.
Normally, I'd tell him to be careful.
But today, I decided to let him be a boy.
Let him explore nature.
He wasn't on his iPad.
He wasn't playing video games.
He wasn't endangering anyone.
As we walked up another hill, I saw a fallen tree.
I told him to walk on it.
He said, "I can't do that".
I urged him to try.
I didn't want him to limit himself.
And he did it.
Easily.
He deserved a high-five.
He was loving it.
We reached the highest point.
The view was breathtaking.
Then, as we walked down, he wanted to keep exploring.
I was ready to go home.
I asked him if he was ready.
He said no.
That surprised me.
I thought he'd want to leave.
But I was wrong.
He wanted to explore.
And I let him.
As we walked, I thought about life's ups and downs.
How things don't always go as planned.
All you can do is push yourself.
Be the best you can be.
Improve your skills.
If you want to be a better dad, learn how.
Spend quality time with your kids.
Teach them to lead.
Teach them to be better.
Teach them how to become who they want to be.
They can only learn this from you... dad.
