The format of a My Take is 150 words – no more, no less – to express an opinion on a different topic each week. This week’s topic was Father’s Day.
Recently one of my children asked me what I would choose if I could be any animal.
My first impulse was to pick my childhood favourite, a bear, but it occurred to me that this was not the best answer under the circumstances. Not only am I not a particularly bear-ish person, but also bears are not well known for their fine fathering skills.
At best, bear fathers are absent, and at worst they will eat their cubs.
I wanted to offer a choice that said “I care about you and your wellbeing,” even if all she wanted was a quick chance to imagine her dad as a cat. I can’t remember what animal I came up with in the end, and she lost interest while I weighed the options.
Was I over thinking the question? Sure.
But I didn’t eat her.
Happy Father’s Day.