God took the strength of a mountain, The majesty of a tree, The warmth of the summer sun, The calm of a quiet sea,The generous soul of nature, The comforting arm of night, The wisdom of the ages, The power of the eagles flight, The joy of a morning in spring, The faith of a mustard seed,The patience of eternity, The depth of a family need, The God combined these qualities, When there was nothing more to add, He knew this masterpiece was complete, And so ...he named it Dad.He didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it. ~Clarence Budington Kelland
A truly rich man is one whose children run into his arms when his hands are empty. ~Author Unknown
Blessed indeed is the man who hears many gentle voices call him father! ~Lydia M. Child, Philothea: A Romance, 1836
A father is always making his baby into a little woman. And when she is a woman he turns her back again. ~Enid Bagnold
Sometimes the poorest man leaves his children the richest inheritance. ~Ruth E. Renkel
A father carries pictures where his money used to be. ~Author Unknown
Any man can be a father. It takes someone special to be a dad. ~Author Unknown
The greatest gift I ever had
Came from God; I call him Dad!
~Author Unknown
I love my father as the stars - he's a bright shining example and a happy twinkling in my heart. ~Adabella Radici
Dad, your guiding hand on my shoulder will remain with me forever.
Fathers then & nowToday is one of the first Father's Days of our new millennium. Fathers of 1900 didn't have it nearly as good as fathers of today; but they did have a few advantages:
In 1900, fathers prayed their children would learn English.
Today, fathers pray their children will speak English.
In 1900, a father's horsepower meant his horses.Today, it's the size of his minivan.
In 1900, if a father put a roof over his family's head, he was a success.Today, it takes a roof, deck, pool, and 4-car garage. And that's just the vacation home.
In 1900, a father waited for the doctor to tell him when the baby arrived.Today, a father must wear a smock, know how to breathe, and make sure film is in the video camera.
In 1900, fathers passed on clothing to their sons.Today, kids wouldn't touch Dad's clothes if they were sliding naked down an icicle.
In 1900, fathers could count on children to join the family business.Today, fathers pray their kids will soon come home from college long enough to teach them how to work the computer and set the VCR.
In 1900, fathers pined for old country Romania, Italy, or Russia.Today, fathers pine for old country Hank Williams.
In 1900, a father smoked a pipe.If he tries that today, he gets sent outside after a lecture on lip cancer.
In 1900, fathers shook their children gently and whispered, "Wake up, it's time for school."Today, kids shake their fathers violently at 4 a.m., shouting: "Wake up, it's time for hockey practice."
In 1900, a father came home from work to find his wife and children at the supper table.Today, a father comes home to a note: "Jimmy's at baseball, Cindy's at gymnastics, I'm at adult-Ed, Pizza in fridge."
In 1900, fathers and sons would have heart-to-heart conversations while fishing in a stream.Today, fathers pluck the headphones off their sons' ears and shout, "WHEN YOU HAVE A MINUTE.."
In 1900, a father gave a pencil box for Christmas, and the kid was all smiles.Today, a father spends $800 at Toys 'R' Us, and the kid screams: "I wanted Sega!"
In 1900, if a father had breakfast in bed, it was eggs and bacon and ham and potatoes.Today, it's Special K, soy milk, dry toast and a lecture on cholesterol.
In 1900, a Father's Day gift would be a hand tool.Today, he'll get a digital organizer.
In 1900, fathers said, "A man's home is his castle."Today, they say, "Welcome to the money pit."
In 1900, "a good day at the market" meant Father brought home feed for the horses.Today, "a good day at the market" means Dad got in early on an IPO.
In 1900, a happy meal was when Father shared funny stories around the table.Today, a happy meal is what Dad buys at McDonald's.
In 1900, a father was involved if he spanked the kid now and then.Today, a father's involved only if he coaches Little League and organizes Boy Scouts and car pools.
In 1900, when fathers entered the room, children often rose to attention.Today, kids glance up and grunt, "Dad, you're invading my space."
In 1900, fathers threatened their daughters suiters with shotguns if the girl came home late.Today, fathers break the ice by saying, "So...how long have you had that earring?"
In 1900, fathers pined for the old school, which meant a one-room, red-brick building.Today, fathers pine for the old school, which means Dr J and Mickey Mantle.
In 1900, fathers were never truly appreciated.In 2009, fathers are never truly appreciated.
To all the fathers out there…Thank you so much for all that you do!
I was going to post a video here but the Embedding was disabled...so just click the Daddy's hands link below.
Daddy's Hands
Great Father's Day Tribute Monica and love the picture at the top!
ReplyDeleteBoth funny and touching...just like parenting. Great post, Monica. Some of the quotes really touched my heart and remind me of all the journey my husband has traveled as a father.
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