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I’m a father of two — 29-year-old son, Scott, and 25-year-old daughter, Eliza. Despite seeing those ages in print, it’s difficult for me to comprehend I have kids that old. Where exactly did the years go?
I love being a father. It’s one of the most important parts of who I am. Fortunately, both kids are in the city (within walking distance in East Kildonan) and I see them a few times a week, plus daily phone calls and a steady stream of family texts.
One of the real struggles of parenting is worrying if you did enough. Did we set the right example? Did we teach them enough? Did we do everything we could to raise them to be hard-working, considerate, and loving adults?
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We’re blessed. My two are really terrific people. Career-focused, well-liked, respectful, and thoughtful. Each has a great sense of humour and values family time. The Bells have a lot of fun when we’re together.
Admittedly, I feel proud as Father’s Day approaches, because I think I’m pulling off one of the toughest jobs I can think of.
But I had a tremendous role model.
I’m one of the lucky ones because I still have my father, Jack, in my life. He and mom also live in E.K., so we see each other regularly and speak daily, primarily about the Blue Jays and the club’s most recent thrill of victory or agony of defeat.
Dad, now 81, travelled a lot for work when I was younger, yet he somehow managed to take me to all my hockey, soccer and baseball games, swimming and music lessons. To this day, I still recall sitting in the dressing room at Gateway in the early 70s, skates off, tears in my eyes and feet raised up on his thighs so he could rub my frozen toes.
My dad was relatively handy — the result of a rural upbringing and farming jobs — but it wasn’t a trait I inherited. I stumble through repairs and do-it-yourself projects around the house and at the lake with very little patience.
He passed on so much more to me, including an infatuation with sports. But not his hair.
Jason Bell (right) and his father, Jack. (Supplied)
Dad is the most selfless person I’ve ever met. He worked full time for more than 50 years to provide for his family, never becoming a rich man but gaining the admiration and respect of all who have known him. His devotion to my mother, his sons and grandchildren is boundless.
And he’s always the funniest person in the room.
True story: When the pandemic was in full swing and the initial vaccination rollout included seniors, my parents booked their appointments and then made their way to the downtown RBC Convention Centre for their shots.
After the jab in his arm, dad was told he’d have to stay 15 minutes to ensure there were no side effects. While he waited, the woman who administered the vaccination asked him if he had any questions.
“I have to tell you, I’m a little confused,” he said.
She asked, “What’s wrong?”
Straight-faced, he replied, “I was just coming here for the boat show.”
Classic Jack.
I’m dedicating this newsletter to my own father, and all the remarkable fathers, father figures, and male mentors out there who have positively impacted the lives of their own children, others’ kids, or young people they’ve mentored or coached in some capacity.
The most vital part of raising a child is making them feel secure and supported as they grow.
If you’re doing that, you’re getting the job done.
Thousands will hit the ground running on Sunday morning at the annual Manitoba Marathon, a true Father’s Day tradition in the city.
Summer intern Gavin Axelrod will be at the start and finish lines, and will file a full report for our online edition late Sunday afternoon as well as Monday’s paper.
Good luck to all the participants. Have a blast and stay hydrated. It’s going to be a warm one.
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