Happy Father's Day

June 15th is Father's Day. The above picture is one of my favorites of my son-in-law, Christopher Stein, and my granddaughter, Clara Stein. This was taken about two years ago when our grandson, Jonathan Stein, was born and the Steins and the Mullikins had a professional photographer take photos of all of us together. I don't think I could find a better picture to relate to Father's Day.

Fathers are special to their little girls, and little girls are special to their fathers. No matter how old they get this will always be true. Sons are also wonderful. Dads can play football and baseball with them, take them fishing and camping and they don't mind getting covered with dirt and mud. But little girls need protection and gentleness--at least that's what Dad thinks. Little girls are princesses and have fairy godmothers. Dads aren't always sure what to do with a daughter. He thinks she is delicate and fragile. He may not know what to say to his teen-age daughter when she has her first heartbreak, but he knows what he'd like to say and do to the heartbreaker. There is nothing too good for a daughter, and no male good enough. This is for the dads that are always there to love and comfort. This is for dads who can't be with their children all the time, but their children are never out of their hearts and minds. This is for the dads who miss minor and major stepping stones in their children's lives. This is for dads who want better for their children than they had, no matter what that might be. This is for substitute dads and foster dads and step dads and adoptive dads. This is for the favorite uncles who are like second dads--I had one of those, and we lost him way too soon. This is also for dads who are no longer with us. As long as you keep someone in your memory they will always be with you, and this is true of dads too. He is always looking over his children, no matter how far away they are, how young or old they are, how perfect they are. Dads will forgive everything. While dads may not always be able to express their love verbally, it is there. Just look in his eyes and see his smile when he looks at his children. Happy Father's Day to all the dads. May you celebrate many more with your children and grandchildren and beyond.