Simply Father's Day: A Tribute to Dads

Father's Day is this Sunday, June 21, and it serves as a wonderful reminder of the great men we have – and were fortunate to have had - in our lives. Whenever Father's Day  rolls around I'm always reminded of two quotes.

Quote #1:

"Anyone can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a dad." -Wade Boggs

This is such a great quote in that it recognizes that being “dad” is something special, it’s not necessarily something that every man who has contributed to babyhood accomplishes. Now you ask, “Just what is the difference between being a father and a dad?” Well, yes, a father helped bring you into this world biologically but a dad…this is a term of endearment, the one who is near and dear to you. That something special that makes someone a dad is his presence. He’s the one who takes you on bike rides, offers words of encouragement, goes over homework, helps you along the path of life by having open ears and arms. So this is for all dads - biological, adopted or step - you are who we look up to- an adviser, a shoulder to cry on...our hero!

Quote #2:

A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove... but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child. -Forest E. Witcraft

Being a parent is hard work, plain and simple- jobs to work, bills to pay, and children to raise.  Life can be overwhelming at times but honestly, time is of the essence- literally! No matter how much money we have, the kind of house we live in or the car we drive, how we've lived and how we've used our time is what matters. It's easy to get wrapped up in the daily grind of life with quotas to fill, places to be and people to meet but when all of that is stripped away- what matters? It’s not the things you buy, but the time you spend that your children will remember. They will remember that time you did her hair or helped create the school project or taught him to drive or played outside or taught them to dance. So make the time, it matters. You matter.

So here's to dads: thank you for all you do and for helping us be the people we are today. Happy Father’s Day!