Happy Father's Day!

"The best gift a man can give to the world is to be a good father." - R. Daniels

by Ruth Storkel.We salute all Fathers today and thank you for your significant role in our lives! [caption id="attachment_18890" align="alignleft" width="300"]

Father and child (123rf.com)[/caption] Yes, the world needs good carpenters, scientists, truck drivers, bankers, lawyers, farmers, etc. but what it needs most of all is GOOD FATHERS! Good fathers are truly a gift to their families and our society." 'Father' is the noblest title a man can be given. It is more than a biological role. It signifies a patriarch, a leader, and exemplar, a confidant, a teacher, and hero, a friend." (Robert Backman)We are so grateful for our fathers and their influence in our lives![caption id="attachment_18894" align="aligncenter" width="768"]

Father and son (123rf.com)[/caption]The following poem reminds me very much of my own Dad and other men I recall from another era, those known as "The Greatest Generation.""Only A Dad"by Edgar GuestOnly a dad with a tired face,Coming home from the daily race,Bringing little of gold or fameTo show how well he has played the game;But glad in his heart that his own rejoiceTo see him come and to hear his voice.Only a dad with a brood of four,One of ten million men or morePlodding along in the daily strife,Bearing the whips and the scorns of life,With never a whimper of pain or hate,For the sake of those who at home await.Only a dad, neither rich nor proud,Merely one of the surging crowd,Toiling, striving from day to day,Facing whatever may come his way,Silent whenever the harsh condemn,And bearing it all for the love of them.Only a dad but he give his all,To smooth the way for his children small,Doing with courage stern and grimThe deeds that his father did for him.This is the line that for him I pen:Only a dad, but the BEST of men.Here are some thoughts from local schoolchildren expressing their appreciation for their dads.[caption id="attachment_18892" align="alignleft" width="327"]

Father and daughter (123rf.com)[/caption]Lily: "I love Dad so so so so so much. I love that you take me on date night. I love you so much."Amelia: "I love my Dad! He is the best dad ever. He is so fun. I love my dad. My dad is the best in the world. I would not want no other dad. He is SO COOL. Love you, Dad."Rose: "I love my dad because he is a loving dad and because he believes in Jesus."Hope: "I love my dad. He is Norweigen at heart. He loves to do fun things. He likes to travel. He was OK getting a dog. He is very patient and helpful.And he is very creative."[caption id="attachment_18891" align="alignright" width="397"]

Father and daughter (123rf.com)[/caption]Ellie: "I love my Dad! He is amazing, loving, caring, kind, and he is the best dad ever. He helps me all the time and loves me, and cares for me. I love Dadda so very much."KK: "I love my Dad! He is amazing! My dad is smart. I think you are very kind! Thank you for taking me on date nights! I love you!"And here's a wonderful one by a very creative young man:F.A.T.H.E.R. stands for:F.aithful ForeverA.mazing till the endT.eacher of many thingsH.elper to his own childrenE.ver so lovingR.eally, really coolThese are the attributes of my F.A.T.H.E.R. - Joseph C.[caption id="attachment_18895" align="aligncenter" width="612"]

Father and son (123rf.com)[/caption]INSPIRING THOUGHTS on "FATHERHOOD"[caption id="attachment_18893" align="alignright" width="283"]

Father and daughter (123rf.com)[/caption]"A strong father means a strong family." (Melvina Young)"Being a great father is like shaving. No matter how good you shaved today, you have to do it again tomorrow." (R. Markham)"One father is more than a hundred schoolmasters." (George Herbert)"One of the greatest things a father can do for his children is to love their mother." (Howard Hunter)"A family needs a father to anchor it." (Tom Perry)"Every father should remember one day his son will follow his example, not his advice." (C. Kettering)"It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men." (Frederick Douglass)"A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society." (Billy Graham)[caption id="attachment_18889" align="aligncenter" width="786"]

Father and child (123rf.com)[/caption]And finally..."My father used to play with my brother and me in the yard. Mother would come out and say, "You're tearing up the grass." "We're not raising grass," Dad would reply. "We're raising boys!" - (Harmon Killebrew)

May all Dads have eyes to behold their High Calling!

Have a great Father's Day!