There are fathers:
Who make their babies giggle and squeal
And some who feel a little strange around the baby
Who change the diapers
And some who can't seem to get the hang of it
Who fix the supper for everybody everyday
And some who only know "grilling the dogs"
Who put on the baby pack
Who take the stroller out jogging
Who play horsey
And some who can't walk or play, but want to
Who bait their child's hook
Who hold the child with the skinned knee
Who help with the homework
And some who have to work too hard to feed the family
Who plan a ski weekend for the family
Who sit in the emergency room worrying
Who get up quietly on Saturdays
And some who don't know "quiet"
Who become a scout leader
Who take the church youth to the water park
Who chaperone that first dance and many thereafter
And some who wish they could, but the children live in another town
Who teach the kids to make blueberry pancakes
Who drive the boat for everybody to have a ski turn
Who kiss their wife every day, and hug the kids too
Who help plant the family garden
And some who can't drive the boat or plant the garden because they're lost their leg in Desert Storm
Who act as nurse for a family illness
Who seem as patience as Job
And some who take a walk to bring the patience back
Who not only fix the car but have the kids under the hood too
Who sometimes work too much and miss the school program
Who sometimes complain about the mess
And some who are very messy themselves
Who adopt and love a child not their own
Who sometimes cries just a little
And some who don't know how to cry
Who sometimes forget a birthday
And some who take everybody out for the occasion
Who have to work a double shift
And some who stay out a little late
Who are pretty corny and expect you to laugh at those jokes
Who sometimes can't match their socks
Who can fix everything
And some who don't know the right end of the screwdriver
Who count their best day when they became a grandpa
To all the fathers who have done the best they could
To all the fathers who have character
And to all the fathers who were characters
Happy Father's Day!
Can you fill in some other great father things? Maybe you weren't as fortunate to have a father like this, but know of someone else who did. I know many didn't have that. It's my sincere hope that everyone experiences a father sometime in their life, from a neighbor, an uncle, a pastor, a son. May you be touched by one of these loving men. Thanks to all you men who did the best you could throughout your lives.
You can read about my dad here . The picture is from 1958 in our side yard.
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Comments: 48
Like Nancy, I am married to one of these characters. I think most of you can attest to that. LOL My husband has gifted my children with an outrageous sense of humor. They will have so many memories of fun times that they will be thankful for who their father is as well as that he is always here for them.
This is a great article. :)
Fathers.
Great article, Carol. Thanks for the reminder. I also wrote a tribute to my father for this Sunday. Enjoyed it.
Mary, do you have a link for your story?
However he was a great Dad and I miss him every day.
Great job! I liked it! I know there are men out there who can still be good fathers.
My dad made chocolate pancakes everytime my mom went to the hospital to have a baby. Luckily for us, she had five more after me.
He also got a M.A. in Drama and helped us put on Garage Theatre when we were little.
When I saw the pic I had to laugh. My twenty year old daughter has never accepted the idea of term limitations on piggy-back rides. A father's back is a terrible thing to waste.
Nice article!
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474976759600
Okay, you're the first one to make me well up on Gather today. You did a bang up job on this - and the thread that's followed is priceless.
I'm gonna go call my dad.
My Dad
Thank you for this Carol... what a loving tribute to your father. What an impact they carry on our lives. It is easy to see that yours has made you a wonderful person. Thank you for the loving memories.
I haven't heard his voice in 17 years. I miss his phonecalls that always began with his basso profundo, "Darlin' Daughter." He used to send cards addressed to "the Daughter from Hell." I miss him so very much!
Thanks for your sweet article and happy photograph.
I miss my dad.
Cheryl, I had to giggle out loud over "the daughter from hell" That is so funny.
Dophi--as I was writing this , I was thinking about all the guys in my life who are dads, besides my dad--my sons, my son-in-laws, a neighbor, my principal, a couple of good friends. Each of them does some great father things!
My Dad taught me:
1. That you got nothing if you gave nothing.
2. Pick a work you like and success will follow.
3. If you are nice most people will be nice in return and the other 15%...screw 'em
4. How to make the perfect Martini.
I think that's about it...
also wrote a new article to be read about Father's Day. It's lovely too.!
You turned that list into a wonderful poem, by the way, your talent showing in every carefully chosen image.