You Can Tell a Lot About a Man…

My admiration is also for those fathers who do the tough job of saying “No” and sometimes disciplining a child (basically being the bad guy), not because they want to but because it is necessary. For those men the payoff is to see their children grow into responsible adults–and sometimes to hear those adults say, “Dad, now I understand.”

HaHa. What a great collection of neckties, Pat! They’re all so wonderful that it would be hard to pick-and-choose, but I guess the bullseye that would hang right over the heart is hard to beat. I liked the wild psychedelic paisley neckties of the late 60’s. But evaluating a man by his tie would be a difficult task nowadays. Unless the job or the special occasion demands it, and most don’t, most men do not wear neckties. It really is an odd convention!

Thanks, Pat – the toon is awesome as always!!

And yes, for those of us who have lost our fathers, today is a bit harder, so thanks for that…

Pat, I would like to add some items to your remarkable list:

Here’s to the fathers who teach their children to respect and be kind to animals, and the importance of taking good care of the family’s pets.

Here’s to the fathers who teach their children to respect the environment, and not to trash the world in which they live.

Here’s to the father who loves his wife, and makes sure that his children feel that their mother is loved by their father. Daddy loves mommy: they need to know it. (I know that bitter divorces can often make this ideal unattainable.)

Thank you, Pat. My father never wore a tie — I don’t think except perhaps in his 30s when he wore those western style suits. He was in his early 40s when I was born — I was the unexpected gift . He was a great dad, much different from his other Indian counterparts. He would not treat me any differently than his 4 sons and I became the first engineer in our family and he had a lot of pride in repeating that to strangers. And I furthered his cause without needing much encouragement, being the youngest and the most rebellious. The best kept secret for many years until my husband told me was how he unknown to me had told my husband-to-be that I (and he by inference) value my education and career (kind of warning him to expect and nurture my ambitions). I wouldn’t be where I am today without him.

Great post!

Here’s to the fathers who teach their daughters that they can do anything–by doing it with them–whether it’s read, draw, bike, hunt, fish, work a computer, fix a car, repair plumbing under the sink, be a doctor, be a nurse, be a scientist, be a mathematician, be a soldier, a social worker, a president, a writer, a poet.

Here’s to the fathers who ask their daughters what they want to do with their lives, not who they want to marry.

Here’s to the fathers who love their daughters and admire their daughters because they genuinely like their daughters, and enjoy discovering who they are.

Here’s to the fathers who share themselves and their love unconditionally with all their children, sons and daughters, who catch them when they fall, help them get back up on their feet, but don’t stand in their way.

Happy fathers day to the best fathers in the world, in the hopes and prayers that the rest will learn by watching….

My father rarely wore a necktie either, except those stringy Western-style things–but only occasionally. What would your mother say to that, I wonder.

I have never stopped missing my Dad, who died almost 27 years ago.

When we were little, my friends would come and ask whether my Dad could play also. His sense of humor was so contagious. Life was usually so much fun with him around.

I remember explaining to one of my friends why I could believe in God the Father (she had a stern, judgemental, stand-offish father) by telling her that one of my earliest memories was of my father running and lifting me so I could feel that I was flying. The sensation was awesome, and there was no fear because of his firm, strong grasp.

He was great to my mother, and he agonized over the type of people we would become–not over how much money or prestige we would have, but over whether we would be good ethical people.

I could go on, but it does make me miss him more. You’re absolutely right: the best way to judge a man is by what type of father he is, will be, or could be.

There is only one true sadness I have in my life.

Fortunately I can look to Michael Caine to help share in my misery…
You see folks…My father died just months before my career took a great leap and he never really saw the fruits of all his investment in me.
Michael Caine was throwing fish at the market and never got his lucky break until 6 months after his father died.

Dad….I wish you could see me now!
Love Clint

So, here’s to the fathers who:

Kiss their children good night

Well, I suppose each family has it’s bedtime rituals, and they are important. I raised 2 children and am almost done raising 2 granddaughters. When they were small, the “tucking in” was indespensible, both for them and for me. The following rhyme also had to be spoken without variance: “Good night, sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite!” And the response was also ritualized: “We won’t, dad!,” or, later, “We won’t, grandpa!”

Of course, my son, when he was little, used to hide somewhere around the house and lie on the floor, insisting he be carried to bed over my shoulder “like a sack of potatoes.” The bedtime rituals, whatever they are, mean a lot.

Hello Pat,
I learned a long time ago that
Well pressed,well dressed get’s the job done.

My father taught Dale Carnegie and in his day was an international businessman…
A tough act to follow for me I thought and despite my best efforts to the contrary have followed in his footsteps.
What I remember the most about Dad was his big wing tip shoes. He would come home after a long trip and as a little boy these shoes seemed enormous and soothed my soul as long as those shoes were laying around the house my father was also home.
When it was my turn I wore wing tips as a tribute to my Dad and have since always worn the best Allen Edmonds wing tip shoes made right here in America.

As for ties….I love to wear ties!
My favorites……Best of Class…Talbot
Nordstrom is where I shop

Thanks for all of the great additions to my post. I loved reading them.

I also want to honor my step-father, who has since passed. I did not realize early on the role that step-fathers can play, and how much it means when someone is able to love you as if you were their own.

What a great collection of ties, Pat!

Kind of miss the days of men routinely wearing suits. I alway thought they look good on a man.

you nailed it, pat!!
thanks for honoring all the dad’s…

OH HOW IMPORTANT “STEP FATHERS” ARE. SINCE MINE IS THE ONLY FATHER I HAVE EVER KNOW HE IS SIMPLY “DAD”. THE STEP PART I DROPED A LONG TIME AGO.

I think I own some of those ties, Pat!

Happy belated Father’s Day to all (including the those who will soon be joining the club )