Dear Old Dad

Happy Father's Day! I am fortunate to have my Dad with me on this day; my funny, quirky, salty, beloved Dad. My kids are fortunate to have their Dad with them on this day, and I know that Rob is thinking of his Dad, now at rest with God, on this day. I looked around for some pertinent quotes for Father's Day, and to tell you the truth, I did not like very many of them. None of them got to the heart of what I feel about my father, or what I feel when I see my children with my husband. Much of what passes for entertainment in America centers on fathers who are oblivious at best, and outright negligent at worst. I know there are oblivious and negligent fathers out there - my own father and his three siblings were raised by my tireless grandmother after my grandfather left them. Maybe because of this, my father did everything in his power to be the antithesis of that kind of parent. My experience has been with a loving and devoted father: one who is always there, one who has never left.

Rob also had a very loving and present father. I never had the opportunity to meet my father-in-law, but knowing his children, and the way they speak about him, has shown me the kind of father he was. It has probably shown me more than I might have known were he still with us in life.

So for all the fathers and grandfathers and godfathers and expectant fathers and men who act like fathers for the children who have none, I wish you a Happy Father's Day. And to my own Dad and husband, I say We love you more than you know. Since I was dissatisfied with so many of the "dad" quotes, I will leave you with something a wise man once said. He was counseling someone on the way to speak to another, and how to know if, by speaking up, you are doing the right thing. He said:

Before you speak, ask yourself three things:

Is it true?

Is it necessary?

Is it kind?

That is great advice, and it has served me well. Thanks, Dad.