Beneath the cool canopy of trees, Dad sat quietly on a slab of limestone. We were waiting for our stubborn beagle to return when all a sudden a dark, greyish little creature skipped out from under the rock and frantically scampered over to the water.

The frightened animal almost walked on water for several yards before plunging into the crystal clear current.

“We scared it to death,” I panicked and immediately stepped out into the water to try to retrieve it.

Dad didn’t move. He just grinned that silly crooked grin of his.

Karen Rose Wils

After I got good and wet, he said, “It’s a water shrew. It’s supposed to do that.”

Dad went on to explain that water shrews feed on under water small aquatic invertebrates and minnows. They jump in with a bubble of air and hunts in the stream bed.

“You don’t have to rescue him,” Pa said with a chuckle.

This is just one of many, many little fun outdoor memories I have of my dad.

As Father’s Day approaches, a flood of Dad stories and lessons flow through my mind. He taught me so much about the woods and wildlife that I feel like I could write a book.

He taught me about life in general, too. He had a calm attitude and an unconditional love for his large family. He cared for his war-weary brother. He was there for his aging parents. He loved my mom and welcomed her siblings and basically put family above all else, even fly fishing!

Dad may have been a factory worker and a carpenter, but he was a teacher in every sense of the word, too.

He was right about the water shrew. The U.P is home to this little unique critter, and it can still be found along some pristine streams.

He was almost always right about the weather. He was right when he said, “Patience is a virtue,” and, “Good things come to those who wait.”

Dad was right about hard work paying off, and he was always right about what kind of fly to cast to make a trout bite.

I was very blessed to have wonderful parents. There were so many lessons from mom, like how reading is so important, how to roll out pasties and how to believe in yourself.

Dad’s lessons were useful, like how to stack firewood, how to blaze a trail and how to follow your dreams.

I wish I could give the gift of my Dad’s wisdom to the world. The world needs his dry sense of humor and his common sense. Priorities are so important.

In these days where family life is struggling, Dad’s kind words and unconditional love is so needed.

One of Dad’s solutions to many problems was to simply take a ride to camp. Trees, water, wildlife and God can fix just about everything!

Happy Father’s Day!