Happy Fathers Day!

I really did start this yesterday, but as sometimes happens "I'm a day late and a dollar short".

I read an article today about the need for fathers to be as honored on Fathers Day as mothers are on Mothers Day.  I agreed with the article except for on one point; that unlike dads of past generations, dads today give much more than a hard days work to their kids. I believe that great dads of all generations have always given more than providing for the physical needs of their families. I think I have seen a picture depicting Joseph working with the boy Jesus in his workshop. I can imagine that besides carpentry, Joseph taught Jesus many things while in the shop together. I am sure that Joseph was a great dad!  Like Joseph many dads of past generations gave extra by having their children work along side them, because that was what they could give. It may not have been the same as what a "modern dad" gives, but it was great.

My dad was not one to come home and help with dinner or finish up the vacuuming, but he found other ways to go above and beyond. He taught us that if you really want a lamb to be it's whitest for the fair we had to wash it with Woolite. He taught us that education, in and out of a classroom is important. He came and watched me play softball, dance, and cheerlead. He surprised me by being at school programs and church activities, when he was not expected to be home. He taught me to love animals (and to ride horses and sheep) and this beautiful world. He taught me the importance of honesty and working hard.  He taught me to stand up for myself, and was sure that any "girl drama" could be solved with a punch in the nose. (I never tried it.) He taught me that "good people" can be just about anyone. He taught me that I matter by driving long hours (10 hours one way to spend a weekend with me once), staying longer than he really could, and showing me in countless other ways (even though he rarely said it) that he loved me.

So to great Dads past and present Happy Fathers Day!

"Daddy's girl, Daddy's girl,
 I'm the center of Daddy's world,
 I know I'm Daddy's number one,
 'cuz he loves me like I was his son,
 Daddy's girl."  (A song my dad taught me, and we sang together until the tape broke!)