Monday, September 16, 2013

Get your Fatherhood on!

Check out these tremendous fathers Being Frank!
Thanks for the support.  Looking forward to our next time together!





Sunday Conversations with "Big Bob"


A legendary Buddhist proverb states,  “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.”  I am  sure based on the dates associated with this proverb, they did not envision having these teachings taking place at McDonald’s on West High Avenue in New Philadelphia.  However,   nonetheless, this is exactly where my family has appeared after our eight-thirty church service for the better part of the last two years.


Why this location you may wonder?  It’s very simple.  The teacher, as Reese affectionately refers to as, “Big Bob” is holding court.   “Big Bob” is always teaching Gretchen, Kendall, Reese and I  his philosophy about how to live life the right way.  “Big Bob” is teaching me to cherish the moments like this as a dad, and I am not even sure he is aware of his impact.  Just being in the presence of “Big Bob,” makes you a better family and father.  “Big Bob” is often visited at McDonald’s by at least one, and in many cases, two or three of his now adult children, (one of which is known to Reese as  “Mr. Grumpy”) along with his grandchildren and my in-laws.


The two mile trip from the church parking lot to McDonald’s is always highlighted by Reese immediately recognizing “Big Bob’s” truck already parked, as he is always the first to arrive.  Upon entry, the girls bolt back to what they call, “our seats” and the learning begins. Routine is important, as it seems that we must all have assigned seats.  As the girls and Gretchen take their spots, I can overhear their giggling and hear “Big Bob” starting his lessons as my father- in-law and I order and wait on their breakfast items.  


Based on his experiences and teachings ,“Big Bob” is, as Tom Brokaw referred to in his 1998 book, part of The Greatest Generation. Brokaw wrote, " I hope in some small way to pay tribute to those men and women who have given us the lives we have today--an American family portrait album of the greatest generation."   The portrait that “Big Bob” clearly hangs is a pay it forward, fill your bucket, dead-on honest masterpiece.  He has earned that right.  The conversations always have you sitting on the edge of your chair, hanging on his every word.   As a family man, what he shares is just that good.  If a four and eight year old, never even ask to go to the PlayPlace,  and instead often walk over and share a high five or a knock-knock joke, with a gentleman, that I am not sure that they know his last name, speaks volumes of his teachings.  


To my knowledge based on all of our conversations, “Big Bob” was never a teacher in terms of a school system.  However, there is no doubt, that by listening to his stories, by responding to the, “Hey Frank” call from the corner chair, he is a life teacher.  Mr. Robert, “Bob”  Zucal is a teacher of people, of life and family.  This student continues to look forward to his worldly viewpoints, his wealth of wisdom, and his walk down fatherhood’s memory lane.  If you would like to join us someday, you are more than welcome.  Just be sure not to mistakenly sit in “Big Bob’s” chair.  


Monthly Quote:


“In school, you're taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you're given a test that teaches you a lesson.” - Tom Bodett, American author, voice actor, and radio host


Monthly Challenge:

We all know of a “Big Bob”.  Take time to sit down with and have breakfast with somebody that emulates what the Greatest Generation stood for. Put away the technology and listen to their world wide teachings.  Pay particular attention to their stories of commitment and sacrifice during what as many seem to think of as a much simpler ti