Father’s Day is for appreciation

George Washington, the first President of the United States of America, is revered as the Father of our country. What made him such a great ‘Father’? He was determined to be a great leader; he never gave up; he took charge; he served his country relentlessly; he put his country before himself. A good father today has some of the same qualities as Washington did more than two centuries ago.

George Washington lost his father when he was 11 and became a ward of his brother Lawrence. He did not raise any natural children but he adopted his wife’s children; Martha’s son Jackie and her daughter Patsy. Washington’s life is evidence that men have been parenting step-children and siblings for centuries.

Fathers come in all shapes and colors and abilities. Some have a natural knack for being the leader of a family, others struggle with the role. Some throw footballs on a Sunday afternoon and others are more absent and not involved. Some are tolerant with the normal behaviors of children and some have no preparation or tolerance for children’s curiosity.

The stories are as varied as the men involved, but fathers are appreciated and Father’s Day gives us a designated day to ponder the lessons they taught and thank them for their male perspective, financial support, role modeling, and genuine love.

I also have respect for men who contribute to the upbringing of other people’s kids; step-dads, uncles, grandpas, neighbors, teachers, brothers, pastors, etc. Kids need sound male role models and kudos to all men who responsibly accept the challenge.

Fathering is often an “Oh shoot, now what do I do?” There are not a lot of support systems for fathers and they usually need to depend on the experience they had from their own fathers. They don’t always feel especially competent in the role and they don’t often strike up conversations about parenting with their buddies. Being an involved, compassionate, and dependable dad is tough but so incredibly important.

We lost my dad in March of 2007. He was a WWII Veteran and the fourth of 11 children. He had many talents and I give him credit daily for what he taught me.

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY to the natural and substitute dads out there who are doing their best to help grow good men and women. Priceless!

Until the next time: Live while you live!