Oh, My Papa !

   Today, it's all about the Dads! Few people in your life can have a greater influence in your life, for good or for bad, than Father. With all due respect to the single Moms, (and, as DJT would say, "Nobody has more respect for single Moms than I do-nobody!") Dad fills a role in his children's formation no one else can. Dad can do things Mom can't do, and will do things Mom won't do! I mean, how many Moms do you see play-fighting with their kids?
   The bond between a father and son is different from that between a mother and son; and likewise Dad's relationship with his daughter is a whole other level from the connection she shares with Mom. Oftentimes the Father is the one to dispense correction and discipline; he provides leadership and support. He is the role model and Advisor; and good or bad, his kids are going to copy him. He leaves an imprint no one else can!
   My father, Arthur Henry Anderson II, was an imposing man: at one point in his life nearly 500 pounds! Strong, headstrong, funny and fun-loving, opinionated and passionate about the things in life he loved, he left his mark on each of us his twelve children. Dad loved fishing, gambling, card-playing, spectator sports, TV, his Big Band Era music, family, and of course, eating! He loved his dogs, too, especially his Boston Terrier Trixie.
 Not to take anything away from mothers, who are dear and special in their own way, I think Dads really give us a sense of identity, helping (in some cases hurting) our perceptions of who we are.  The very fact that our surnames come down from our fathers' families is an example of this. Ever wonder why the Bible introduces a character as "Joe, the son of Thisguy, the son of Thatguy"?  Dad is part of who we are: not merely half of our DNA, but so much of our personality, behavior, culture, traits and idiosyncracies are modeled after his!
   As surely as we wouldn't be here without him, we wouldn't be us without him.
   I am so blessed and so grateful to be a Dad to my two awesome stepchildren, Tracy & Aljeny Santana.

   Likewise, one of my regrets in life is that I wasn't there for my own daughter, Genny Thompson. 
   So here's to the Dads: not everyone has one, but everyone should! It ain't easy being a Dad, and yeah, we make lots of mistakes. For us there is no greater reward in this life than to see our children, who God has delivered into our care, grow up to be good, wise, strong, and happy.
   Life is beautiful, and having a Dad, and being a Dad, are two of the most wonderful things in life. I miss you, Dad.