Take them slowly.

The summer of COVID, a summer of national upheaval, angst was a summer I'll never forget because 2020 was one of the best summers I've ever had as a father.

I don't mean to be glib, or tone deaf to the incredible distress our country endured that year. But I was reminded of this when I went to visit my folks last weekend.

After teaching the last semester digitally, while homeschooling all 3 of my kids, and on the brink of losing my wife's budding hospitality business, we needed backup. So in the first week of June, we left Texas and drove straight through to Florida to my parents' home. 18 hours. Three kids under 5, the dog, and enough Pirates Booty and applesauce pouches to power a preschool.

We planned to stay through Father's Day. But we had no reason to leave, and my folks have a pool and life with 4 adults for 3 kids was way easier on all 7 of us, so we stayed for another month.

The days were simple, we scooted and jogged around the neighborhood, went to playgrounds and avoided people, swam in the pool, watched a million movies, had dance parties and wrestling matches.

I didn't realize it at the time, but that summer slowed me down to the point that I had no choice but to be present.

Last weekend, I was walking with my dad and my youngest son after dinner and I was reminded of 2020. Not in a teary fit of raucous nostalgia, in the quiet, humid contemplation of how dad has gotten slower while time has gone faster.

I'm slowly losing my dad. He has had Parkinson's for a decade. It's a cruel disease. It allows you time, but slowly shaves the life out of you. Inch by inch.

But last week, I was grateful for that quiet shuffling walk we shared. I was grateful for the slowness.

That slowness is something we're all too capable of avoiding as parents. And it made me realize — the rushing, the rushing is what I think I'll regret most when Father's Day isn't front and center in 10 years.

Parenthood is nothing but a series of conversations, moments, and whether we're careful with them or not, they will go by.

So take them slowly, because one day we should begin wondering how many more remain.

This weekend: Try to slow down enough to bring into focus the things you're really grateful for. This goes especially for the dads — make Father's Day a ritual that reminds you of how lucky we are to be fathers.