An ode to fathers

For me, Mother's Day is always a bummer. All the sappy cards and commercials, the sermons, the radio commercials... they all make me cringe. Father's Day however, that's more my speed. Unlike a lot of females I have a very close relationship with my dad. I talk to him on the phone almost everyday. We enjoy the company of one another. I even married a man with many characteristics similar to my dad. Beyond that, I have a grandfather who hung the moon, despite his political views and I hit a homerun in the father in law department. Needless to say, I am beyond blessed when it comes to quality men in my life, although that requires a lot of meat, potatoes, sports watching and sitting in tree stands (I don't mind any of these things) 

Father's Day for me is a day to celebrate the men in my life, but I'm always reminded of those who don't have what I have. I think of my friends who have a rough relationship with their dad, for those who have lost their dad, for those who never knew their dad. I can't even imagine.

At our wedding, Kelso's dad gave a speech about raising Kelso, and honored his late father, Nathan Kelso Hamilton (the namesake of Kelso and his Dad). When Kelso's grandmother was pregnant with his dad, they were living in California doing mission work when Kelso (the first) went fishing. A storm came through and turned the boat over causing Kelso to hit his head on one of the rocks off the coast, knocking him unconscious and causing him to drown. Kelso's grandmother loaded up, pregnant with two toddlers and moved back to west Alabama to live with her parents and raise three kids. Being raised by his grandfather, Kelso's Dad was father of the year. Kelso got a rambo knife when he was 3 and a gun when he was 4. Being the only boy of 4 kids, Kelso was his father's son. had every knife, gun, bow and arrow, etc. that a boy could dream of. 

I say all of that to say this:

A father's role is crucial. They are the backbone of families. They protect and provide. They are strong and smart. They discipline and disciple. For those in our lives now and those who have gone before us and left a lasting legacy.... what an honor to have wonderful men in our lives to look to for guidance and follow their example.