Men of Honor - Fathers Day

Father's Day is one of the days that I find myself reflecting on the men who have helped mold me into the man I am today. Especially my Father but also those who are close to me and my family. Here is my chance to say "Thank You" to those men - Chuck - I will always consider you my father - not just one through marriage, My brother Stephen - I am thankful that although you are on the other side of the country you are still part of my life, Roger - you have impressed me in more ways than you can imagine and I feel like you have always been a part of our life, Luke - you are my brother, my friend, and someone I look up to (even though you may be younger). I am also grateful for the memories I have of Boppy (Fred). He was a man who accepted me into the family and made our family feel "whole" when he and Nina moved back to New England from North Carolina. I am thankful that my children got to know him as well as they did and that they will always have memories of the times we spent together. I am also Blessed with two wonderful children who not only honor me on this day but so many others throughout the entire year. I hope that the life lessons I have learned from the men mentioned above will make me into the Father that will not only make my children proud but will also mold them into the person I strive to be.

Fathers are Wonderful People

Fathers are wonderful people

Too little understood,

And we do not sing their praises

As often as we should...

For, somehow, Father seems to be

The man who pays the bills,

While Mother binds up little hurts

And nurses all our ills...

And Father struggles daily

To live up to "HIS IMAGE"

As protector and provider

And "hero or the scrimmage"...

And perhaps that is the reason

We sometimes get the notion,

That Fathers are not subject

To the thing we call emotion,

But if you look inside Dad's heart,

Where no one else can see

You'll find he's sentimental

And as "soft" as he can be...

But he's so busy every day

In the grueling race of life,

He leaves the sentimental stuff

To his partner and his wife...

But Fathers are just WONDERFUL

In a million different ways,

And they merit loving compliments

And accolade of praise,

For the only reason Dad aspires

To fortune and success

Is to make the family proud of him

And to bring them happiness...

And like OUR HEAVENLY FATHER,

He's a guardian and a guide,

Someone that we can count on

To be ALWAYS ON OUR SIDE.

Helen Steiner Rice

Father's Day

Over the years

As we grow old,

We remember our father

So brave and bold.

In the garden,

Leaning on the plow,

He would listen to me;

I see him now.

He would give advice

And understand;

He was always there

To lend a hand.

God made fathers

Strong and firm,

For he knew our lives

Would have great concerns.

So he gave us fathers

To teach us to pray,

And guide our lives,

And show us the way.

So on his day

Let's take the time

To say "Thanks, dad.

I'm glad you're mine."

Mary Frances Bogle