The Important Things a Dad Does Wearing The Superman Cape

I was cleaning when Harold the Helicopter caught my eye. Harold's been sitting on my husband's dresser for years. **It's [](http://66.147.244.135/~brenday1/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/imag1166.jpg)the spot where he keeps his important things, a sacred place I don't usually disturb.**

"**Dad can fix anything**" was what my son said years ago when Harold first broke and he asked his dad to fix it. I remember telling Junior that *Harold would be hard to fix.* He emphatically reminded me that **Dad Can Fix Anything.**

So he gave Harold to his dad, who placed the toy on his dresser, among **his important things to take care of**. That was at least five years ago.

**Poor Harold. I don't think he's going to be fixed. **

At least he's safe sitting on Dad's shelf among *The Important Things*.

There are other things on my husband's dresser along with Harold, **a testimony to the honest faith my children have had that their Dad can fix anything.**

Tractor wheels, rockets, Barbie toys, Star Wars figures, and Harold.

**Time has gone quickly since Harold arrived among The Important Things.** Junior forgot about him. He transitioned from Thomas the Tank Engine to Star Wars and now to ESPN.

*So here Harold sits*, but **his presence isn't forgotten.**

It's a testimony to the** Power of Dad in the life of a child.**

To a child,** their dad is a hero whether he wants to be or not**, wearing an invisible cape only children can see.

As a counselor, I often hear kids say, **"I don't have a dad**." What they're really saying is, "*My dad isn't a part of my world.*" He's absent, not present, or even known. **But the child still yearns for his presence.**

In their eyes, **Dad's presence,** or lack of it, **is immeasurably powerful.**

As our kids have gotten older, I still hear, "Dad can fix it." I'm often tempted to tell my older-and-wiser children *their dad really can't fix a lot of things*. But I hesitate, **knowing their hero with the cape will at least attempt to fix it**, even though he may not succeed.

For his kids, **the process itself is powerful**. To them, it says, "**Somehow, my Dad will take care of me**. If he's not able to fix what's broken, the effort itself will be bookmarked among "The Important Things" in life.

Just like Harold.

***How do you let your children know you care about what is important to them?** Perhaps it's not fixing a toy, but how do you let them know what is important to them is important to you? I'd love to hear your thoughts!*

Happy Father's Day, Superman.