Youv'e Got This, Dad!

As a nation, over the past two months or so we have been very focused on the importance of women.  I would like to take a minute of your time to discuss the importance of men, in particular, the importance of a father.    Charles Francis Adams was Abraham Lincoln's ambassador to Great Britain.  In his journal he noted, "Went fishing with my son; a day wasted."  As awful as that sounds, have you been there?  Your stuck going to the zoo or the water park with the family.   You have so much work that needs to be done at the office.  You have phone calls that need to be made, proposals to write, meetings to plan.  The oil in the car needs changing, your garage needs cleaning.   You feel frustrated with the pressures of life.

                                      

Hang in there, dad, your time at the zoo is more valuable than you realize.  Charles' son, Brook Adams, who was eight years old at the time also made an entry in his journal that same day.  "Went fishing with my father, the most wonderful day of my life."  The time spent fishing with his father and the valued memory of that day continued throughout his life as he often made references to that day and the influence it had on his life.
Men - dads, you are very important to the lives of your children and those around you.  The next time your little one wants you to read that same book for the tenth time.  Read it cheerfully and with purpose.   You've got this, dad.