On the occasion of Father's Day, I'd like to just say a few words of thanks to my own father...

Thanks for: All the wonderful camping trips we did each summer. All the time you made time to play board games, ice skate, or play softball with my siblings and me. The afternoons you took off to go to the lake for swimming and a picnics. For all the museums, travel-logs, plays, and community events we attended as a family. For insisting on doing everything as a family and instilling those values that remain with me to this day. For sitting down at the dinner table every night with us and having a conversation with us about our day. For showing interest and concern about my friends and hobbies. For challenging me to do my best and that I could do anything I put my mind to. For attending all the school events, choir, sports, plays, and graduations I have participated in. For instilling in me a sense of social responsibility of giving back to my community. For teaching me financial responsibility by forcing me to earn my way rather than expect handouts from anyone. For demonstrating to me what a good marriage is made of by loving and respecting my Mother. For teaching me how to have a spiritual life and respecting me as an adult even when our views do not always agree. I've only scratched the surface, perhaps others can add to this list.

Thanks Dad, Happy Father's Day to all the good dads out there! You know who you are.