As a dad myself, Father’s Day is always a double whammy – I get to honor my own dad, and all he has meant to me, and I get to be honored by my own kids and take some special time with them to reflect on what it means to be a father.  We learn so much, and are influenced so much by our parents, yet I don’t think we realize how truly and deeply entwined we are until we become parents ourselves.  As a dad, especially as my kids have grown older, I see my father in myself in so many things I do.  More surprisingly, I am not alone in this discovery and apparently my kids see it too.  “Dad, you are just like Grandpa” has lately been a fairly common comment from my kids to me.  I consider it a compliment!

ANYTHING FURTHER FATHER?

There are countless things I cherish about my own childhood and the role my dad has played in my life, and countless more things I cherish about my children and my role as their father.  I am so proud of my three children, who are now wonderful young adults and good citizens.  Their accomplishments roll up to their parents, and in turn, that sense of pride and accomplishment rolls up to my parents, and their pride in me and my children rolls up to all they learned from their parents, etc., etc…  It is a wonderful cycle that is often too easy to take for granted and lose sight of.  We are both the influenced and the influencers.  We are the sons and the fathers.

THE SON ALSO RISES

To every dad out there, today is a special day for us to look forward and look backwards, to give and to receive, to acknowledge and be acknowledged.  Accept the special love and praise of your children with pride as you most certainly deserve it.  And give your dad the love and praise he deserves for helping to shape the wonderful dad in you.  Happy Father’s Day!

Jeff Sass is the proud dad of ZEO (Zach, 20, Ethan, 19 and Olivia, 17).  He is also a seasoned entertainment and technology exec and active social media enthusiast.  You can see more of Jeff’s writing at Sassholes! and Social Networking Rehab.

Photo Credit: © Warren Millar – Fotolia.com