by Richard Hefty

Created on: June 04, 2008   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

As the father of young children (my daughter is 7 years old and my little boy is 4 years old), I figured this would be an easy article to write simply because there have only been a handful of Father's Days to recall.

I imagined that those fathers who have been a father for much longer, perhaps even already a grandfather, would find the mental inventory too extensive to even bother. Sifting through countless years of cartoon character ties, handmade cards, and macaroni art projects might seem pointless to some, but those of you fathers that have received those treasures probably just smiled at a recollection of your own.

So I began my thinking back over the last seven years, and I realized that I had a hard time remembering the specific gifts.

Now don't get me wrong. I certainly remember getting the Father's Day cards. I remember fondly the first time that my little girl tried to sign her own name. I love the cards that my wife gives me and the sweet notes she writes inside them. Now that my little boy is 4 years old, the pictures he draws are getting better and better.

I can also remember getting the "normal" Father's Day gifts. I still have the argyle socks in my dresser that were given to me by my daughter two years ago. Occasionally, I will even wear them with a pair of shorts-just to get a giggle out of her. I've received shirts. I've been given grill tools. While all of these are always special because of the association with Father's Day, I don't count them as the "BEST" gifts.

After much reflection, I came to a realization. The best Father's Day gifts I have ever received are not given on Father's Day.

The most precious ones are given for no reason at all. When I wake up in the morning, stumble towards the shower, and I'm met with a smiling little boy who wraps a "Good Morning Hug" around my knees...that goes near the top of the list. The times that we're walking through a store and my little girl silently walks up beside me, slips her hand in mine, and continues to hold my hand for the rest of the shopping trip...there's nothing like it. On a lazy Saturday afternoon, as we're all sitting around watching a movie, sometimes both children will wriggle up between us and we just melt into one big family on that couch...all the technology in the world can't reproduce that feeling.

Bedtimes are a particular favorite of mine. Hearing my son quietly ask, "Daddy, will read me a story?" is something Hallmark can never capture. Occasionally when I lean my head into my daughter's room to blow her a kiss goodnight, she'll ask me to come closer. Then as I sit on the edge of her bed, she'll kiss me on the nose and allow me to return the favor. Those "Daddy-Spot Kisses" are priceless.

So you ask mewhat is the best Father's Day gift I have ever received? I have no idea.

My favorite gifts are those that I'm given during the little moments all year long.

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