Bakersfield.com

The list of men who gave me guidance, support, and a sense of importance could go on forever.  I was fortunate to have had a loving, and caring dad.  He could do anything, from playing any instrument by ear, getting down on the floor helping my mother cut out patterns to sew  our dance costumes, fix our broken toys,  remodel houses, dig wells, write poetry and share his knowlege and philosophy with me as well as encourage me to do and be the best at whatever I tried.  He died when I was thirteen.

By the time I was eighteen my mother remarried and Pappy became my second father.  Never criticized, bit his tongue at times and didn't interfere, but added to my life with his quiet, patient loyalty, and he was always there for me; my graduations, the birth of my children, and he said his job was to pick up the pieces and set us back on our feet when we fell; which I seemed to do alot.  He died several years ago.

But there have been other important men in my life who filled the position of dad at different times.  The neighbor across the street who taught me how to drive.  In high school my chemistry teacher and English/journalism teacher both gave me dreams, and had high expectations for me.  All the fathers of the girls in my Girl Scout Troop who became my father for the Father Daughter banquet where I was to receive first place for the poster which my Dad helped me make before he died.  I wasn't going to go to the banquet, because I had no father.

Today, many children do not have their father in their lives, yet there are men who fill in, giving guidance, hopes, dreams, and caring.  Teachers, neighbors, friends, coaches, and workers who take the time to give children positive attention and help fill in the important attributes of a dad.  To these people Happy Fathers' Day.