The History of DADsercise

I still remember the exhilaration of getting on the floor with my dad, who, after coming in from hot days in the cornfields of central Nebraska, found time to roughhouse with his four children.  He would tickle us to tears, wrestle with us, and delight us with his strength and ability to transform himself into a carnival ride.  One particular ride would take one his kids from a sitting position on the floor to a vertigo-inducing four feet atop his foot.  Only now, have I really thought about how much sheer strength he needed to lift each squirming child, balancing him or her perfectly.  Not once did we fall.  You can imagine the workout he got after each child begged for a turn; I don’t remember his ever turning us down.  Maybe he knew with his version of DADsercise over thirty years ago what I am now finally realizing:  time spent with your children is priceless, a child’s laugh is worth any cost, and a family that plays together will learn to play together for a lifetime. My siblings and I live in three different states but make it a priority to come back to our parents’ home numerous times throughout the year to spend time together, to laugh, and to play.  Did Dad have this in mind when he came home from the fields?   Maybe.  Maybe not.  I just know how nostalgic I get when I think of the joyful romps we small children had with him.