Happy Father's Day - a legacy of giving.

Three fathers.  The Father's Day gift was not to get, it was to give.

The thing about becoming a father is that it is an impetus for change.  As the children grow, so does the momentum of change occur in us.  What we once thought impossible became a certainty, and then we went even beyond that.  That's because life was no longer about what we could get, it became about what we could give.

I think of my own dad often, although he has been gone now for almost 3 years to the day.  It's still hard to believe that he is no longer on this earth.  As I grew up, he was constantly there for me.  He was constantly giving of himself.  His time, his energy, his wisdom.  And the thing was that I rarely appreciated it at the time.  It wasn't until I became a father myself that I realized the gifts he had given me.  Not only life, but an example to follow.

I have always thought it important to make a difference in the lives of others.  As a worker, a friend, a volunteer, a spouse - all are opportunities to support and encourage others.  The biggest place where we can make a difference, though, is in our children.

It is the nature of fatherhood to imprint what we do upon our offspring.  Every day becomes about being the best dad you can be.  We work to provide a home for our loved ones.  We spend time at home supporting our family and maintaining the household.  Our time becomes about loving through action.

As a father, I have read my children a million books.  I have wiped away countless tears and bandaged innumerable scrapes.  Thousands of meals prepared and many more dishes done.  Trips to doctors, dentists, practice, club, school, and shopping.  My dad did it.  I did it.  And now my son is doing it.

Today is Father's day.  A day to recognize dad.  But it is not about what we can get in recognition of our contribution, it's about what we can do, the contributions we can make.  It's the gifts we can give.

Hey, isn't it Sunday?  Pancakes anyone?

Thanks for reading.

Eric Svendsen     www.ericspix.com

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