Fathers Are Special:

Although we are busy with our lives, we need to stop and take time to pay tribute to our fathers. Sometimes we get

swallowed up in our everyday chores and don't realize that time is passing quickly. How long has it been since you

went fishing with your dad or played a round of golf or shot some hoops with him? Or maybe you never have had

the chance to have a one on one trip out with your father. It can never be too soon to start but it can be too late.

We never know when our lives will be cut short and we never had the chance to really get to know our fathers and

never had the chance to have that one more father/son or father/daughter special time together.

Our fathers play a very important role in our lives and for those of us who get the chance to see it are very fortunate.

Many never get to be with their fathers at all and many do not even know who or where their fathers are. We should

not take our fathers for granted because there are many out there who would give their lives just to get a chance to

meet their fathers for the first time. If you know where your father is, you need to share some quality time with him

every chance you get. If there are bad blood between you it might be a good idea to try to make an effort to mend

some fences with him. Someone has to make the first move, why not let it be you. Some of us have fathers who have

passed away and we miss them very much. Savor the time you have with them because we never know when they will

be taken from us. Then there will never be another chance to forgive and forget. Sometimes you may realize it wasn't

worth being apart after all. Time heals and lessens the hurt.

I remember my father working very hard when I was growing up and I never saw him much. If I did, he was working

in the garden and doing other chores around the house. We had a large family and lived on a farm so there was always

chores to do. Dad and mom taught us many many things about life and responsibilities. But in spite of the hardships we

endured, we had a connection that only comes from love and affection. Hard work was no stranger to us.

Dad loved to hunt and fish too so we had plenty of meat and fish to eat along with the home grown vegetables and fruits.

We had many Sunday dinners with other family members who dropped by. I sure remember the fresh fried chicken with

mashed potatoes and gravy, along with corn on the cob fresh from the garden, homemade rolls and fresh strawberry

shortcake. It just makes my mouth water now just to think about it. And believe me, we did appreciate it because many

times in the winter when times were hard, sometimes the only thing we had was crackers and comodity cheese for dinner.

But we didn't blame anyone. Farming was hard work and paid very little so we had to stretch what we had. We all grew

up healthy in spite of it all so I guess it didn't hurt us a bit.

Fatherhood has changed since many of us were young. Fathers used to be the heads of household but now in many

families it is more of an equal responsibility between the father and mother because it takes both to work to make a living.

Therefore both share in the chores at home. Some are even stay at home dads which is to be commended. It is not easy

staying home and keeping the homefront running smoothly. I can't imagine my dad ever being a stay at home dad. He was

too much of an outdoors type. He definitely would not have fit well in the kitchen. Somehow I just can not imagine him with

an apron on. I don't think he would ever touch or change a diaper either. But that is ok, that is just the way it was then and

everyone accepted it. He was the breadwinner in the family. In todays society it either takes both parents to be the

breadwinner or sometimes the mother works and the father stays home with the children.There are also more and more

fathers working at home on the internet which makes it convenient to take care of everything on the homefront and help

make a living.

There are more and more single dads in our society today. That means the whole load falls on them and they have to be

the breadwinner and keep the homefires burning. This can take its toll on them but they keep trudging along because they

love their children and want the best for them. I say hats off to all of the single dads out there. You should get a trophy for

your persistence in keeping the family together without the mother. It takes a special breed to do what you are doing.

If you are blessed to still have your father near, cherish the time you have left with him. One never knows when he will

be taken from you and you will not have the chance to once again tell him that you love him or to give him a big hug. I

haven't had a chance to hug mine for quite a few years now because I lost him one cold day in March. It was a day that

is forever etched in my mind and I will never forget it. But he knew I loved him and I am so glad we had that type of

relationship. So many times some people get caught up in their own lives and they forget that there is someone who

would love to talk to them or spend some time with them.

If you can, take a little time out of your busy schedule and give your dad a call to let him know just how much you care. If

you have trouble saying the words, tell him with a gesture of some kind. You probably know what his favorite hobbies are,

spend a few hours with him just to let him know you care. Take him to a football game, or take him fishing. Maybe he likes

golf and would love to play a round of golf with his son or daughter. If he has grandchildren, maybe he would just like to spend

time with them and the whole family. It doesn't matter if you just sat and visited with him, he will be grateful to you for taking

the time to spend with him. As people get older, it doesn't take as much to please them as it did when they were younger.

Somehow a lot of things aren't important any more. Families are more important to them. The precious time spent with them

will not be forgotten. Make some one on one time for just him. Let him know he is special while you can. I would love to be able

to talk to my dad again just to let him know I love him so much and to give him a big hug and kiss. I can't do that anymore,

but I can cherish all of the years and the special times we shared together while he was with us.

Maybe you don't know where or who your father is and would like to know. Maybe you can find someone who can help you

locate him. Make an effort and see what you can do to find him. You will be glad that you did. There is no reason that you

should spend your life wondering what he is like or what he looks like. There have been many happy reunions with people

locating their fathers. It is a yearning inside that won't go away until you make a move and at least make an effort to locate

them. There are many good locater services out there who can help you locate a missing father.

If you have had an unpleasant experience in the past with your dad and haven't seen or spoken to him for a while, maybe

it is time to think about making amends. We are on this earth but for a short while. Life is to short indeed to spend it hating

your father. Someone has to make a move to set things right. Why not let it be you who makes the first move? Who knows,

maybe he wants the same thing and just don't know how to go about making things right or say the right words to get back on

the right track. Maybe it has been so long ago that you forgot what all the hassle was about in the first place. Even more

reason to get busy and call him up.

Let's make a tribute to our fathers and let them know how much we care. Take a little time and get in touch, send a card, call

them up, or better yet, spend some quality time with them. Don't forget to tell them how much you love them and give them a

big hug!

To all fathers all over the world, we love you!!