I don't know what I was thinking about last week. I must be getting senile or something. I mean, my intentions was to do a Father's Day Surf Column this week. You know, highlighting all the surf dads I know from all over the Globe. Showing pics of them with their kids, surfing, at the beach, whatever...but just highlighting surf dads. Then it dawned on me. I literally know hundreds of surf dads, 100's. How could I in good faith, run pics of all the surf dads I know?

I couldn't, because I would inevitably leave some out. And I could not do that

It became increasingly apparent during this past week, as I would run into surf dad after surf dad that I had forgotten about. I mean think about it. How many Surf dads do you know? And I'm talking about Surf Dads all over the freaking globe. I know too many. And every time I saw one I had forgotten, it became apparent, this was not going to happen. At least not the way I thought it would.

So rather than highlight individual surf dads, I'm going to just acknowledge you all. Starting with my own late father-inlaw, to my late father who turned me onto surfing, and a shout out to our kids Grandpa Rastl, to all the New Surf Dads and expectant surf dads. And the more I thought about it. I only know a handful of new surf dads. And by new, I mean this year. And I only know a couple of expectant surf dads.

The Newbie Surf dads are Mike Moran and Duffy McCarthy.

They both had new babies born this Spring. So they are clearly Newbies. I can see the look in their faces and recognize that look of pure awe and wonderment that greets any new dad. It is truly mind blowing. I ran into Mikey and Kelsey this spring as they were pushing their young daughter Rylee along the Wall with their high tech stroller. I thought that our kids had impressive strollers. The strollers today have it all and then some.

But I chuckled watching Mikey look over at the surf as he walked by.

I can recall doing that the first time. There were waves, but it was not quite the same. I can remember checking the surf, but also checking my own child out in the same kind of love and admiration that I had for the surf. Only this was slightly different. Being a dad is a trip. Being a surf dad? Well that's special. There's some kind of internal parental force that releases itself in your blood once you become a parent. All you moms and dads know what I'm talking about.

We just suddenly become parents. Of course, the key is to be good parents.

For Duffy, I know this must be a bittersweet Father's Day for him. He just lost his own father Allen this past winter.

I also believe, that somehow, Allen is watching down from the heavens and taking this all in. Sharing in your first Father's Day and comforting you in missing him. In fact, I'm sure he is comforting all the McCarthy's. But that gift that you and Jenn have should and will sustain you in this Father's Day. So Happy Father's Day Duffy.

The two Surfers that I know who are expecting their first child are Nick McGregor, the editor of ESM, and Phil Carey at Cinnamon Rainbows. Now if there are others who I know that are expectant first parents I apologize. I did not mean to slight you. I just didn't know.

But you expectant parents (dads) are in for something special that's for sure.

I'm talking about an emotional rollercoaster ride that is filled with every conceivable emotion known to mankind. Oh yea. The laughter. The joy. The heartache. The worry. And yes, even the occasional anger. It's all coming your way. All of it. Like a damn Tsunami. There's no avoiding it. You just gotta grab on and hold on tight. And there's no quitting either. No sir. You become a parent and that's for life. Don't you dare end up being some dead beat dad. If I hear about any of you abandoning your kids, I will call you out on the carpet. And I don't give a shit who's standing within ear shot. You owe it to all the dads out there. And to all the men, who for whatever reasons, never got to have kids of their own. But would of loved to experience fatherhood. You owe it to them.

It's easy to quit. Anybody can quit. Stick it out. Be a good dad.

The other night while watching the BRUINS Game 7, I was with my son and a bunch of his friends and mine. We were all so happy after they won. I mean who wasn't? That was awesome. But my son Max, who now stands a good two inches over me, must of been feeling his oats because, he walked up to me and looked down on me. "Now I know what the top of your head looks like." He says mockingly. I looked up at him and said."Now you're going to find out what the bottom of my shoe looks like too!"

It was one of those moments where you realize that my little infant son is really a man with a sense of humor that is not that far from my own. The cycle of life is always rotating. When your kids reach a certain age, you can only offer so much advice. They will take what they need, but they will also learn from their own mistakes and successes. That's the cycle. That's what all you new dads are going to be facing. I know it's hard to believe that now, looking at that baby. Or at your pregnant wife. But it is coming.

And believe everything you have heard.

In the blink of an eye, they go from babies to toddlers, from teens to young adults. And you will get older in the process. Hopefully, you will all experience only good times with your kids. That you won't have to endure any tragedy. Just be strong both in your faith and in your fairness. Watch over your babies but also give them enough room to live and breathe on their own. Life is full of experiences. Think about what you went through. You made it. Though some of us barely made it. Your children will look to you for guidance as long as you are there. Be there for them. Sacrifice for them.

It's worth it in the long run.

Speaking of our kids. For those New Englanders who have kids that are at least 10 years old, think about how lucky they are? They have seen The Patriots, The Red Sox, The Celtics, and now the Bruins, all win World Championships. My son went into Boston yesterday to see the BRUINS Rolling Parade. I had taken him to all three Patriots rallies. It was an experience that we'll never forget. Yesterday he went into Boston with his friends. I stayed home and watched it on TV. It was much less stressful and I saw way more. But I understand wanting to be there with your buddies. So I actually encouraged him to do it. He had fun. Though they got a late start. I told him to leave no later than 8AM. He and his friends left at 10:15AM.

They almost missed it. As it was, they had to run to catch up to the parade by the time they got into town. Again, life is full of experiences. I'm sure he and his friends will look back on this day as something special. Even though they almost missed it all. But I guess that makes it special.

If you all recall, last week I wrote about all my crazy ass voodoo like antics while watching sports. And I guess I struck a familiar chord with a lot of you. But if you think it's just us fans who believe in the wacky antics think again. Did any of you catch Horton pouring "Boston's Dirty Water" on the ice before the start of the game? Now that's some poetic voodoo. Did it work? Who the hell knows? I think it all works. That's what makes sports so fun and crazy. We all think that we contribute in our own strange and bizarre ways.

David Horton pouring Boston water on the ice prior to the game starting?

That helped. Or put it this way, it couldn't hurt. I know a lot of you want to know where I watched Game 7. You know I watched Game 6, in my man cave with my young dog. But that was a Home Game. They had lost 3 away games in that same man cave. I needed to change venues. Then I remembered game 7 against the Lightening. We watched it at a friends house. I took it upon myself to arrange the same people who watched that game, to come back for the positive Voodoo in this most important game. GAME 7. Winner takes all.

Thank God they won. Otherwise I'd still be torturing myself as to what I did wrong to contribute to the loss. But alas my friends, there's no need to second guess any of this. Winning 4-0 in Vancouver was exactly what we had wanted. We had redeemed ourselves in the best way possible. We skated Lord Stanley around their arena in front of their fans. It was one of the most magnificent sports moments in New England history.

When Chara lifted that CUP over his towering figure and let out the deepest and loudest primal scream I have ever heard, I got chills up my spine. It was a moment I shall never ever forget for as long as I live.

And I was so happy that I got to share it with my son, and some of my closest friends. And today I am stress free until the SOX make it into the Play-offs when we start the Voodoo all over again. But I wouldn't have it any other way.

Happy Fathers Day to all the dads. Past, Present, and Future.