Sir Todd, The Dragon Slayer
Forsooth Dad,
You know there are times in every man’s life when he stumbles into greatness. That was my lot this past week. I wasn’t looking for any accolades or parades, but my wife had just about had it with some pesky mice who were leaving their tell tale signs underneath the kitchen sink, and I was beginning to tire of her comments.
So, I set out some traps (remember Killer?) and the next morning—BINGO! Then I disposed of the body, cleaned out under the sink, and resumed normal life at the Wilson household. Little did I know what awaited me.
A few hours later, my wife walked over to me, smiled warmly, and said, “Thanks for slaying a dragon for me.”
She couldn’t see it, but my chest puffed out, and I felt as though the queen had laid her cold blade across my shoulder and knighted me—Sir Todd, The Dragon Slayer. I’m telling you, we’ve set out mousetraps every night since because I like being my wife’s dragon slayer.
In fact, I’ve been looking for other dragons to slay, and there are plenty of them around here. The truth is dragons are those things that are too big, too messy, too heavy, too far out of reach, and just way too HUGE for my wife to accomplish.
A dragon might be a stuck window that needs opening, a piece of furniture that she’d like moved, a room that she’d like painted, a burned out bulb in a hard to reach spot that is bugging her, or a gross mess that needs to be cleaned up.
Sometimes, we dads overlook a dragon. It doesn’t feel urgent that it be slain, so we ignore it and hope it goes away. But with each passing day, the dragon grows in the sight of our wives until they either try to kill it themselves or nag us into doing it.
But the dragon is only truly slain when a willing knight (that’s you) takes it upon himself to vanquish the foe to save the damsel in distress.
So, my fellow knight—today is the day of reckoning!!! A day when dragons quake and fall!! For glory and for honor!!! Strap on your armor, grab your paintbrush, your tools, or your mousetrap, and do battle with the dragon.
I knight you, Sir Dad, The Dragon Slayer!!!
You ‘da dad,
Todd
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Today I heard my call to slay dragons. “Mark, I need you,” came from the back deck. As I turned the corner I seen the smoke rolling and the flames rising from the grill. It had now caught the deck banister on fire. In total control I turn the waterhose on and save the day to the cheers of my 3yr old,“ya daddy.” Even fire dragons are no match for this dad.
Todd, I too have joined The Fellowship Of The Dragon Slayers! I caught the “dragon” Friday night after several attempts. The mouse…err…dragon kept eating the peanut butter off of the trap, but after some minor modifications and two painful thumbs, I caught him. Today my wife emailed me an invitation to a “royal dinner” in my honor. When I got home from work today, there was a nice dinner prepared including “roasted dragon”, pot roast, “dragon skin potatoes in fire breathing sauce”, mashed potatoes and gravy. Dessert was “dragon scale cake” complete with green icing. What a treat! I just wanted to let you know that we are now two strong in the Fellowship.
Way to go Dragon Slayer…and Damsel in Distress!!!!
nice job in ps! I was talking to wife about your message last week, and asked her what her dragons were. she said that currently she doesn’t have that many because I keep killing them with out her knowing. So, I just had to say thanks for being da’ dad! you help me be one too
O.K., mine aren’t quite dragons. Maybe dragonettes, but still the fight was on. I had found two of the little guys in a closet and used a broom to mete their demise. I thought I had finished my challenge, then we saw their little brother. He is VERY elusive. I have baited 4 traps, but haven’t caught him……yet. I am not giving up this battle!
Yes, too much time on your hands. By the way, nice hair.
Rob
Instead of a dragon slayer I became a Jedi Knight. My dragon was our smelly poodle named “Obi Wan”, who likes to sit on my wifes lap. She had mentioned several times that he smelled bad (like Jaba The Hut), so while she was busy I bathed and dried him and did a load of laundry too. And poof I was knighted. Thanks for the cool reminder to serve my wife.
My dear hubby never gets a chance to “slay dragons”…….my four cats take care of the dragons for him! He’s still my hero anyway! 🙂
Sometimes in a marriage, or a family, it’s much easuer for the husband/dad (yeah, that’s me) to slay the mouse “dragon” or the clogged-sink “dragon.”. God calls us men to do those things for sure, but we have a higher calling (as Todd reminds us) — to slay the selfishness “dragon” — putting our wife’s (and kids’) deepest needs before our own. Listening when our wife needs to be heard. Disciplining (and I don’t mean spanking, I mean teaching right from wrong) our children when they act out to get our attention.
Sometimes that “dragon” can be a whole lot more intimidating and fearsome than a mouse, or most of the “fix it” types of things that us husbands/dads can take care of.
Here’s praying for you Todd, and all you other husbands/fathers to triumph over our selfishness and self-centeredness that can hinder our making the best of our marriages and families.
Todd,
My knight took on an entire army of dragons (ants) by the millions. They had totally invaded our castle (kitchen). Without hesitation he picked up his sword (dishrag) and began his mass slaughter, then with a gleam in his eye and a haughty laugh he went in search of the ones in hiding until every one on their road to destruction was destroyed. Then he cleaned out under the sink, the pantry and in and above the cupboards. I can’t tell you how rescued I felt. Seeing him hunt the enemy, attack until the last one was gone, relentless at battle until we were again safe, and hearing him say “stand back honey, I’ve got this” well… he’s my hero!! Thanks for reminding wives just what knights we are blessed to have.
DC
Georgia
Brother, that is a great pic. I enjoy your website and newsletter, both, and I am a new visitor as I just found out about you a few weeks ago. Thanks for the encouragement, Brother. from Papa in Vermont Ephesians 2:8-9
SOAPSCUM and MOLD SLAYER…suited up in my 43 year old birthday suit I faced the shower. Scrub brush in hand, cleanser in the other. The battle done and a new shower cutain in place…on to the bathtub. With the task done and the little lady happy. I got to suit up again that night and collect my reward.
Hoo, boy, but is that a great picture! I myself beat back the quality time ogre with a date last night. It really is all she wants most of the time.
Dan P:
LOL! You Da Knight! Just hope I never have to see you in..er..uniform.
very fun Todd. inspiring too. see you next monday