Happy Father's Day to all the men who are wonderful enough to offer their guidance, mentoring, and love to a child--even if they are not Fathers.

I heard the following words this morning and wanted to pass them on:

Let us praise those fathers who have striven to balance the demands of work, marriage, and children with an honest awareness of both joy and sacrifice.

Let us praise those fathers who, lacking a good model for a father, have worked to become a good father.

Let us praise those fathers who by their own account were not always there for their children, but who continue to offer those children, now grown, their love and support.

Let us praise those fathers who have been wounded by the neglect and hostility of their children.

Let us praise those fathers who, despite divorce, have remained in their children's lives.

Let us praise those fathers whose children are adopted, and whose love and support has offered healing.

Let us praise those fathers who, as stepfathers, freely choose the obligation of fatherhood and earned their stepchildren's love and respect.

Let us praise those fathers who have lost a child to death, and continue to hold the child in their heart.

Let us praise those men who have no children, but cherish the next generation as if they were their own.

Let us praise those men who have "fathered" us in their role as mentors and guides.

Let us praise those men who are about to become fathers; may they openly delight in their children.

And let us praise those fathers who have died, but live on in our memory and whose love continues to nurture us.

This is beautiful. Thank you.

I would like all men all over to read this. It was very nice for Fathers Day but it is a wonderful thing for all year round. We should take time to praise fathers more than one day a year.

Wonderful words. I printed them out and gave them to my husband. He married me when I already had a child and no one could have ended up being a better father to my son.

I gave a copy of the words to my son so he has a better idea of what it takes to be a father because I raised him without the benefit of one.