One of my favorite writers, Erma Bombeck, once wrote to explain how it was that fathers came to be so wisely created.
Erma said, "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."
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."
Then God molded long, slim legs and broad shoulders.
The angel nearly had a heart attack. "Boy, this is the end of the week, all right," she clucked. "Do You realize 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?"
God smiled and said, "A mother needs a lap. A father needs strong shoulders to pull a sled, balance a boy on a bicycle or 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 summer cabin, 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 see everything, but remain 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?"
And the angel shutteth up! Thank God for fathers of all kinds.
~~~~~~ I am very proud of my sons and son in law... they are the best "sons" and fathers one might ever ask for. They make me proud in some way almost every day. I am so richly blessed in the electronic age to be able to keep up with them and their busy lives. Sometimes, late at night, needing a cheerful thought to find the sandman... I think of them, what they have accomplished, what is to come... and how great they are as Dads!! My family, my sons as Fathers... Make me so very proud... and the sandman cometh!
To you each, Phillip, Paul, Jonathan and Jake... On this very special and precious weekend, and perhaps second only to Mother's Day, Mom and I wish you a very Happy Fathers Day, and in case I forget as we get together this weekend as one big family to honor each with their presence, I wish to tell you now... HAPPY FATHERS DAY. May God Bless and watch over you and your family - forever and a day!!
