I started down this road of thought when I read the quote from President Obama that said, "Any fool can have a child.  It's the courage to raise a child that makes you a father."  He's right, of course, and another way to look at it is to say that fatherhood isn't the act of siring a child it's the ongoing series of decisions to remain in that childs life and to lead your life so that you provide as much benefit as you can to that child that makes you a father, or mother for that matter.  What we often forget is that at some point the children also begin to make a series of conscious decisions to belong to their families, to adhere to the values set forth by their parents, and to be "good kids" as much as it is in their abilities to do so.  Of course there are rotten kids out there just as there are rotten fathers and mothers, but there are far more good kids and we really do forget that they are good because they decide to be.

We really do spend a lot of time celebrating our children, what with all the birthday parties, the graduations, the baptisms, the confirmations, the little league team parties and who knows what else.  But when you think about it there isn't a celebration that's dedicated specifically to acknowledging the kids' commitment to their parents and families, to being good kids.  I'm not sure that we need to create one, but it seems to me that if we're going to give moms and dads a day then we should give one to their kids too.

While I'm at it let me say this: Thanks Michael, Erin and Justin for making me the proudest Dad I know.  It's an honor and a privilege to be your father.

No that doesn't mean I'll be giving you any money.

Love, Dad.