Father

That word...FATHER...is such a powerful word.

A word, like many words, that will have varied degrees of meaning to every person. Every person will view the concept of "father" through his or her own filter, whether based on faith, experience, expectation, illusion. Most likely a potpourri of all of these.

The literal meaning of the word "father" is easy: a man who raises a child. The child does not necessarily have to be his biological child. He is the one who raises that child, guides him through life. Each of us has a father, whether biological or not, who helped raise us (for good or for bad) from children to adults.

The connotative meaning of "father" can be drawn from that. Some descriptions that I came up with, based on my experiences with and memories of my own father and the fathers of my friends: strength, wisdom, and leadership. For some, the term "father" might usher descriptions such as forgiveness, compassion, and kindness.

History uses the term to refer to a creator of new ways of thought or process. Herodotus is considered the "father" of history and Galileo is considered the "father" of modern science.

The biblical meaning of the word "father" is "good". The church refers to God as "Father".

I think we all get the idea. It seems like an almost impossible task to be a father. No wonder so many men struggle with it.

Most succeed at it, in the end, even when they think they failed. Their children are testament to that as they declare that their father is the best in the world.

Some don't succeed quite as well. Yet, their children will still find a way(s) to uphold and uplift them.

And, following in the connotative sense of the word, there are men out there who are not fathers in the literal sense of the word (e.g. did not create the life), but who represent fathers in a connotative sense. They are, for many, role models and heroes. In a sense, surrogate fathers. They are no less of a "good" influence than biological fathers. They provide a sense of strength, wisdom, and direction to those who are seeking it.

This is their day as well.

I end with a poem that I found at Ellen Bailey Poems. It is a tribute to ALL fathers: biological, adopted, surrogate, role models.

A Father Like You

Father poems

I just want you to know you mean the world to me Only a heart as dear as yours would give so unselfishly. The many things you've done, all the times that you were there, Helps me know deep down inside how much you really care. Even though I might not say it, I appreciate all you do So richly blessed is how I feel for having a father just like you.