In honor of Father’s Day this weekend, the Treetop Pediatric Dentistry team wanted to share some of their favorite memories and lessons learned from the Fathers in their lives…
“My dad taught me how to ride a horse, gave me my first horse and taught me how to care for horses! Favorite memory would be road trips with my dad!” – Brandi, Dental Assistant
“My Dad taught me the highly valuable game and skill (in Texas at least) of naming every country artist on the radio from the late 80-90s. One of his favorite games on long car trips was to turn up the radio and ask “Terry Lind, who’s this?” I never won any prizes or anything, but did become a wealth of random country music knowledge. :-)” – Terry Lind, Business Manager
“My dad taught me to work hard for the things you want, you appreciate things more when you have worked for them.
My favorite memory (thought) of my dad has to be….seeing him with my kids, my dad was an amazing dad to me, but even that cannot compare to how he is as a “Papa” – Christina, Insurance Coordinator
Dr. Brandon’s memories:
“Lots of lessons, lots of memories, but here’s one of my fondest that I hope to never forget.
There I was, 12 years old, rounding 3rd base on a hot summer day during our little league game. I don’t recall the inning or the score, but I do remember my dad coaching 3rd base (he was my brother, Eric, and I’s baseball coach through our little league days.) For some reason, I had decided at some point during that particular game I needed to take out the catcher. I don’t really know why, it’s not important. As a pediatric dentist I encounter many 12 year old males and I’ve confirmed that the 12 year old male mind might as well be a 4th or 5th dimension that no human will every quite understand, we can only recognize its existence and hope it turns out for the best…..but I digress.
Rounding 3rd base, my dad’s hands raised to signal me to stop was ignored. Two steps past 3rd base, on my way home, the catcher, Jacob Rogers, had the ball in hand, standing in front of the plate. I don’t care. I’m 12. Instead of sliding I was certain the 14 people watching the game needed some excitement. Lowering my shoulder into the chest of Jacob Rogers standing 3 feet in front of the plate I took him out. Approximately 1.5 seconds after impact was when my father determined my time on earth should be no more. I’m pretty sure my dad set some sort of record for those 60 feet he teleported himself through from 3rd base to my hip pocket at home plate. I glanced around looking for the ball, as I was certain it went flying through the air from my jaw dropping crush. Not so much, Jacob Rogers was still hanging on to it. The umpire went on to give his over the top punch of the air to signal to all within 3 miles that I, Brandon Shamblin, was indeed “out”.
My father was also there to graciously remind me that he did not approve of my most recent actions. My dad grabbed me under my left bicep and lifted me up one handed. He proceeded to escort me to the dugout. I didn’t understand, I wasn’t injured, I can walk, I’m 12. I remember my legs moving in a walking/running type motion but my feet never hit the ground. You know that angry talk, the one where the teeth never separate and only the lips are moving….yeah, that was happening. And my dad was leaned over, 4 centimeters from my left ear saying something. I have no idea what he was saying. It didn’t matter. He was whispering and yelling all at the same time. That’s some scary stuff.
After he threw me on the bench and told me don’t move, I thought about reminding him that I was the best athlete he had on the team and if he took me out the game we run the risk of losing……but I figured I’d let him cool off a little first. After the game he told me to get up and get in the truck. I asked him about my post-game snow-cone….he just stared at me. He made me apologize to Jacob Rogers, and Jacobs coach, and the umpire. (I didn’t even do anything to the umpire…..but whatever you want, Dad).
This was one of the most embarrassing and least proud moments I’ve experienced…..and one of my fondest. Its helped shaped who I am today. I learned a lot that day from my Dad.
- Daddy’s never stop being dad, whether its at home or on the baseball field.
- My dad loved me enough to correct his 12 year old idiot son when I needed it most, regardless of who was watching.
- Integrity and character are some of the best attributes men can possess.
- If you’re going to take out the catcher, make sure you hit him hard enough he drops the ball……..
Happy Father’s Day Pop’s……and thanks for showing me how to be a Daddy.”
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