Happy Father's Day, Dads & Granddads

Let's wish our fathers and grandfathers a Happy Father's Day.

Extend that greeting to your hubby, brothers, and close friends because men have a tough road in today's world.

They must be sensitive yet manly; loving but stalwart; civilized but brave; sexually appealing but always faithful—the list goes on.

Fortunately, most of us women have men like that. So let's celebrate them in their paternal role.

My Father and Grandfather

My Father

His father died when my dad was too young to even remember him. Daddy was a farm boy of 24 when he hit the beaches of Normanday on D-Day. He and the others fought their way through France and into Germany. 

He was a remarkable man who loved his country, his family, farming, and music. I have his guitar on a stand in our media room. I can close my eyes and see him, playing and singing on a Saturday morning. I love you, Daddy. I wish I had told you that a million more times than I did.

My Grandfather

Like my father, my grandfather's father died about a year after he was born in 1882. Yes, that's true—1882. My mother was an only child born to her parents when they were past middle age. I believe my grandfather inspired me to be a storyteller. 

He was a master teller of tales of his adventures and the way the world was when he was a child. He whistled when he walked; he hummed hymns when he was doing anything that didn't require thinking. The spirit of optimism lived in him until his death at the age of 100. I love you, Papa. I miss you still.

Father's Day Tributes

"My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me." — Jim Valvano"A father carries pictures where his money used to be." —Steve Martin

"No man stands taller than when he stoops to help a child." —Abraham Lincoln

"Daddies don't just love their children every now and then, it's a love without end." —George Strait

"Every son's first superhero is his father." —Tiger Schroff

"Every father should remember one day his son will follow his example, not his advice." —Charles Kettering

"If there is any immortality to be had among us human beings, it is certainly only in the love that we leave behind. Fathers like mine don't ever die." —Leo Buscaglia

“My father didn’t do anything unusual. He only did what dads are supposed to do: be there.” —Max Lucado

“Confident women are raised by loving dads.” —Nitya Prakash

Yes, men. Children don't expect you to be super heroes like the Avengers, millionaires, or anything remotely superficial. 

They just need you to be there, to listen, to talk to them, to understand as much as is possible, to help them to grow up safe, to teach them how to be strong and stand on their own feet, and to love them deeply.

Takeaway Truth

 Happy Father's Day!