My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me. — Jim Valvano
On Father’s Day, we recognize the importance and the challenges of fatherhood. The often unacknowledged figure of parental holidays, fathers don’t bask in the glory we give our mothers. They spend long hours at the office, at the factory, or out in the field. While retailers and marketers have often commercialized this holiday to sell golf clubs, season tickets, and sports apparel, it is still a holiday to honor fathers and consider their unique qualities.
Fathers are more involved in parenting than they ever have been. Thanks to a culture change, some fathers now take paternity leave when a child is born. They also understand the importance of play with their children, devoting much of their evenings and weekends to their families. Since childhood, they have brought us love and laughter. Always seated in the audience at a school event, they’ve brought light during a family’s tough times, and cracked funny jokes at the right time. We learn a lot from watching fathers help keep the family together. We know we are blessed when we celebrate all the love and joy they give us.
