Happy Father's Day!!!

It's Father's Day....a day to celebrate father's and fatherhood. Perhaps even a day to reflect upon what makes a father a father and what does fatherhood consist of? Every person in existence has a father, even if they don't know him, talk to him, like him or see him. Some people, like myself, are blessed to have a father and a step father, both of whom are equally considered a father. My boys are blessed with a great father, who they love and admire. John never knew his father because he died when John was only 5 months old. But, John had a great foster father during his teenage years who made a great difference to a life that might have otherwise turned out.
I have been thinking a lot about what makes a father a father. After all, not everybody has their biological father living with them. I see "broken" families on a daily basis where I work. I technically came from one of those "broken" families. I never once felt, as a child, that I came from a "broken" or a different family. I am sure that I never felt that way because I still had a "dad" in my dear grandpa. Papa always made sure that I knew how much I was loved and he supported me in everything I did. He did all of the things with me that a father would have done. From taking me to father/daughter functions in Girl Scouts to teaching me how to drive and how to pitch softball, he was the "dad" when I needed it most. Even with all of this, I still knew that my father loved me just as much. I always knew that he would have liked to be the one to do all of those things with me, but circumstances were out of his control. I loved getting letters and postcards from him, seeing the new places he was living while serving our country in the Navy. I loved seeing him when I could. And now, as an adult, I am so happy that we still talk through e-mail and on the phone. We look forward to having them come out this year and spending time with them. I am even more blessed to have a step-father who truly loves me and supports me always. Jay loves our children beyond measure and is truly their beloved "poppi." He lets them stay the night as often as they want to, and he teaches them things that the rest of us never could. He often has more patience with my boys than I do.
My boys are blessed to have a father who loves them without end. Sometimes I think part of fatherhood is knowing how to act like your children, because John does it so well sometimes. In all seriousness, though, John does love his boys and he wants only the best of the best for them. I have heard it said that the most important example in a child's life is that of their same gender parent...a father has a great task ahead of him from the beginning. I know that my dear husband is up to such a task, even when the going gets tough. I believe we all have great expectations for our children, and I know that it takes an entire family to help them to achieve their goals. I am thankful for the fathers that I have had in my life and the many great examples that my own children have in their lives.
Happy Father's day to my husband, my dad, Jay, and of course, to my Papa! Thank you to all the fathers who strive everyday to help their children to become great adults.