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Fathers…

on this Father’s day…and, for that matter, every day

may we do our best to be…

as extraordinary a father

as our children imagine 

and need us to be. 

Yesterday Deborah and I joined a large diverse group of people in Asheville, North Carolina

(the line of people stretched as far as we could see)

In a peaceful protest of our president, our government and what we see as their abuses and cruelty.

We raised our voices in unison against the injustices we see…

our goal: to build a better world…one filled with peace and love and harmony.

There were a wide variety of protest signs…

(the entire scene was captured by drones hovering above)

and though I was also there to protest…my banner read ‘Choose Love’.

Because of all the things we have to protest…so many on which to concentrate

for me it all comes down to one…I was there to protest hate..

Protesting those who hate the things they do not and are unwilling to understand. 

Protesting what that hate has done…to our people, our government…our land.

But there’s another reason I was standing there…protesting in my own way…

because I knew when I awoke this morning…the sun would rise on Father’s Day.

And as a father I want my children and grandchildren and great grandchildren to know

in the midst of this government’s tyranny and mayhem..

that not only was I there for me…I was protesting there for them.

I want them to know I’m willing to speak out for what I believe in…

against the hate that has permeated this land…

that in order for them to live in a better world…I’m willing to make a stand. 

I want them to know as long as there is discrimination, inequality 

abuse and oppression…taking away a woman’s choice…

I will stand on a street corner to protest…I will be there to raise my voice..

I want them to know I believe in justice, diversity, equality, inclusion and woke-ness

and I will do whatever it takes to see this vision through….

I want them to know that ‘Choose Love’ is not just a banner I hold up in protest

It’s something that I do.

I may not succeed in my life time…to change people’s feeling and perceptions

to make those who hate finally understand…

but if the next generation of my family takes up the banner…’Choose Love’

I know I’ll be leaving it in good hands.

So future father’s on Father’s day….will be able sit back and smile…because

‘Choose Love’ will no longer be a banner to be held up in protest

it will be something everybody does

Yesterday was Father’s day…a day father is the star… 

a day we celebrate his role in helping to make us who we are.

Father’s ride with us on the roller coaster that is our life

It’s nice to know they’re there. 

We look to them to show us when to hold on tight

and when to ride with our hands up in the air.

When it comes to their children I imagine

every father has felt every emotion from the great to the good to the bad…

Which they know was totally worth it

when they hear…I love you Dad.

And when we hear those words…

we know fatherhood was not a hoax

despite the mistake we’ve made along the way…

and our repertoire of Dad jokes. 

I heard from all my children yesterday…

and it always makes me smile

when they call to say I love you…

or just to talk a while.

But I am lucky for this is not an isolated incident

my children have found a multitude of ways

to make every day I’ve been a father

feel like Father’s Day.