On Father’s Day, Dads get to celebrate our most important life assignment. It is an awesome task and responsibility to be a Dad. Balancing multiple relationships - your wife, your work, your play, your parenting, your finances and all else, can sometimes be overwhelming. But it is also the most rewarding job I’ve ever been given.

I am blessed with two daughters, Heather and Meagan and a son, Jimmy.

Heather is a Realtor in Washington. She is in property management and manages a huge apartment complex. Heather is thirty something and independent. What I care about most is that she is happy. I miss her presence so much but with Instant Messaging, text messaging and email we stay up most times. I love Father’s Day since I know I will hear her happy voice. I think most Dads thrill at their grown children’s happy “Hi, Dad!” on Father’s day.

When Heather was around thirteen, she thought that Dad had lost his mind, was a complete idiot and was totally out of touch with all of her realities. At eighteen, however, Dad re-grew a brain and we became fast friends. She is my buddy in addition to my daughter and my love is always fresh for her.

Meagan works with Alaska Airlines and she and her husband delivered to the family her now 20-month-old daughter, Alina. What a gift. The joy and love Meagan and Alina have together is pure joy to watch. As a Dad, you can take pride in hearing the lessons you taught that are re-taught to the next generation at the dinner table. Meagan is twenty something, strong in her values and nothing short of a knock out. Her inner beauty comes out in quiet moments, as does her intellect. She is also a Realtor on a part time basis.

I am bursting with pride for Meagan and there is nothing more fun than hearing little Alina bursting into the house looking for Grandpa or as she calls me, Papa. Meagan sends me sometimes wacky and sometimes heartfelt emails; some patriotic which she proudly is and some about puppies that she dearly loves.

My love for my girls sometimes affects my attitude and actions in politics. It deeply disturbs me to hear daughters treated with disrespect. Daughters today grow up in a dangerous world where commitment is not always returned. This latest flap with David Letterman displaying disrespect of daughters caught a nerve with me. I found it appalling and less than funny. Glad he was man enough to apologize.

Society has changed a lot over the years. A father’s role has diminished in our society. Unconnected fatherhood is one of the great tragedies of our modern life. Families need fathers to guide and support them. Many men who grew up in a fatherless house and simply repeat their history. I am appalled by the child support statistics showing the number of fathers who would rather buy a new car or blow money on blow rather than pay their kid’s child support. Dads, in or out of the home, need to understand that they are teaching their kids by their example, a good example or a bad example. Kids are smart and read clearly through the priorities. Dads need to fulfill their responsibilities and take care of their kids. Single parent households are at historical highs and we should all be concerned.

Jimmy is going into his third year of pre law with an English major at a Missouri university. Thank God, he’s home for the summer and just found a great federal job. Last summer, he was commercial fishing all summer so it was as if he was not home all year. That sucked.

He is 6’3” and loves to beat the old man at chess. He works out to his old football trim and is strong as an ox. I am glad we had those many lesson about treating your father with respect. He does and he demonstrates his love by doing it.

Relationships change when sons leave home but again Yahoo be praised. Jimmy sometimes edits my columns before newspapers around the state get them and I sometimes edit his papers before he turns them in to his professors. Seems right and I like the work.

Jimmy’s intellect grows and his grasp of the complex grows but there are still gaps. He still has not grasped the concept of rinsing a dish and putting it the dishwasher. And I do not know about this new fangled idea of Jimmy getting to have a mind of his own at twenty. Aren’t sons supposed to think just like us Dads? Oh yeah, that does not kick in until they’re thirty something. Jimmy has a great grasp of the Bible. Discussing religion is a good thing for a son and a Dad to do. Common values demonstrated by consistent respect for our Creator is a firm foundation for building your relationship with a son.

The danger sometimes to being a connected Dad is that it is tough to let go. Frankly, I refuse. I want to know what is going on. I want to help. I meddle in their affairs. I advise them sometimes whether they request it or not. Sometimes, they roll their eyes. Sometimes, they quietly tolerate my advice. Sometimes, they actually take it.

But, I will be their Dad forever and they know that. All my kids are committed to the Lord, have a strong work ethic, good values, treat their mother and me with respect and are respected by their friends and coworkers. They know without question that they are dearly loved. What is most important is this life is the relationships we have. I thank the good Lord for these fine, life long friends, Heather, Meagan and Jimmy.

In times of trouble, family means even more. So, Dads, hold onto young sons and daughters. And if you’re one of those Dads that made the mistake of not being there for your kids, understand that each day you have another opportunity to reconnect and be the Dad you should be. It is after all, the most important assignment in your life and theirs.

Happy Father’s Day. If you are a Dad, enjoy it. And Moms, who are the real strength of families, thanks for supporting us Dads. But today, it is your turn to do the dishes.