Fathers found!

This said something to me loud and clear. As much as I find it difficult to admit because of my negative views of the "modern man," the number of men in attendance told me that some men actually care about family. Some men actually care about their children’s success and ultimately, their future.

God alone knows how desperately we need fathers like those who attended that ceremony.

Society needs more fathers who actually care about their children and we need more fathers who want to be fathers and who are willing to accept every ounce of responsibility that comes with a job that can be regarded as such a beautiful gift.

Fathers are important to society. . . just as important as mothers.

Although my mother is the one who is always there for us (and we can share things with her), for some reason, my father always gained the respect from his children. I’m not certain if it’s because our mother always insisted on us respecting him or if it’s just the old time way of thinking, but the breadwinner or the "man in the house" was always respected the most. Whatever it is, he got the respect he commanded.

Fathers, if they are the right fathers, that is, if they are prepared to be fathers and are willing to take on such a huge but enjoyable responsibility are always able to gain respect from children. Why?

A father is not only a provider, protector and a teacher, but also the disciplinary figure who just happens to come with love and understanding. I am certain while many mothers cried at that ceremony, tears of joy of course, fathers smiled but died inside. I am quite certain it scared them to see how fast time flies and how much their child had accomplished in a few years.

I must congratulate the fathers who attended their children’s graduation. I know that a father’s duty is to make the world a better and easier place for his child’s sake, and I urge each one of you to keep doing so. Fathers have to be the exemplar and the one who is always there to give advice and set children in the right direction.

Thank you to the fathers of the students at Princes Town Junior Secondary School. You have definitely succeeded in changing my view of modern men.

The following poem is quite popular and I am certain holds a lot of meaning for many. It clearly states what a father is or should be.

When the good Lord was creating fathers he started with a tall frame and a female angel nearby said, "What kind of Father is that? If you’re going to make children so close to the ground, why have you put fathers up so high? He won’t be able to shoot marbles without kneeling, tuck a child in bed without bending, or even kiss a child without a lot of stooping."

And God smiled and said, "Yes, but if I make him child size, who would children have to look up to?"

And when God made a Father’s hands, they were large and sinewy.

And the angel shook her head sadly and said, "Do you know what you’re doing? Large hands are clumsy. They can’t manage diaper pins, small buttons, rubber bands on pony tails or even remove splinters caused by baseball bats."

And God smiled and said, "I know, but they’re large enough to hold everything a small boy empties from his pockets at the end of a day ... yet small enough to cup a child’s face in his hands."

And then God moulded long, slim legs and broad shoulders.

And the angel nearly had a heart attack. "Boy, this is the end of the week, all right," she clucked. "Do you realise you just made a father without a lap? How is he going to pull a child close to him without the kid falling between his legs?"

And God smiled and said, "A mother needs a lap. A father needs strong shoulders to pull a sled, balance a boy on a bicycle, and hold a sleepy head on the way home from the circus."

God was in the middle of creating two of the largest feet anyone had ever seen when the angel could contain herself no longer.

"That’s not fair. Do you honestly think those large boats are going to dig out of bed early in the morning when the baby cries? Or walk through a small birthday party without crushing at least three of the guests?"

And God smiled and said, "They’ll work. You’ll see. They’ll support a small child who wants to ride a horse to Banbury Cross, or scare off mice at the camp, or display shoes that will be a challenge to fill."

God worked throughout the night, giving the father few words, but a firm authoritative voice; eyes that saw everything, but remained calm and tolerant.

Finally, almost as an afterthought, he added tears.

Then he turned to the angel and said, "Now, are you satisfied that he can love as much as a Mother?"

The angel said nothing more.

Erma Bombeck