Father's Day 2011 is coming to an end in a matter of minutes as I start this, but I wanted to put a couple thoughts into a brief post, even if I don't get it in by midnight, Central Time.
Earlier today, Rory McIlroy, a 22 year-old golfing phenom from Northern Ireland made history by winning the U.S. Open in record-breaking fashion and Gerry McIlroy, Rory's father, was there to hug his son after the final hole was completed. Rory wished Gerry a happy Father's Day and went on to express his gratitude for the sacrifices that both his parents made for him, but I want to discuss such sacrifices a little further.
Rory McIlroy is without question an enormously gifted golfer. He has the skill of Tiger Woods and the likable personality of Phil Mickelson. If anyone on earth has a brighter future in the game than he does, I'm not aware of him or her. However, with or without his colossal talent, I wonder if he could have come so far so fast without such giving and selfless parents. Although that question can't be answered with any certainty, I would tend to doubt it. Gerry McIlroy worked three jobs, often working 100 hours a week to help Rory realize his dreams, and Rosie McIlroy, Rory's mother also worked extremely hard. While Rory's prowess on the golf course is quite extraordinary, the story of parents giving all that they have to give for the sake of their children is far more common, although such unselfishness is just as awe inspiring if we stop to think about it.
In reflecting upon how such giving fathers affect our lives, there's a song I can't seem to get out of my head. Gary Burr wrote and Conway Twitty recorded a song that seems right on point. It's called "That's My Job." The song tells the story of a son asking for help and comfort from his father in times of need, and the father replying, "That's my job; that's what I do. Everything I do is because of you." The father in the story is expressing what many of us have seen in our own lives, that parents will provide for their children first and worry about themselves second, if at all. There is, however, much more to the song, and the real poetic beauty of it is yet to come. By the final verse, the son has grown to become a professional songwriter, and he wonders how he can possibly write a fitting tribute to his father who has just passed away. The answer he comes up with is, "That's my job; that's what I do. Everything I do is because of you." The very same words, everything I do is because of you, express both the unwavering selflessness of parents and the enormous debt that children owe their parents for their ultimate success.
I feel extremely fortunate and humbled that I had parents every bit as dedicated as those mentioned above. They have both been gone for more than 10 years, my father for more than 15 years, but they will stay with me in many ways forever. Happy Father's Day to any fathers who may read this. In all likelihood, you too are giving the next generation more than they can possibly repay, but that's your job; that's what you do.
