From Charlie Gray

Today is a day we celebrate fathers. We all have one. If you are of my vintage, today you may be celebrating memories. I had a great dad. He spent as much time teaching and correcting me as he did trying to win me over. I can assure you that "NO" was an active, often expressed word in his vocabulary. We had an understanding. He was always right and my questioning of his authority had extreme limitations. Trust and respect was the foundation of our relationship.

My dad provided me with a never ending bounty of wisdom. He always made time for me. His greatest gift to me was his time. As I grew older and became a father myself, he never tended to my business but was always ready to offer advice and talk me off the cliff whenever I needed some level headedness in my life. I sure miss that and have very much needed his counsel and influence every day since his passing.

My dad left me with so many valuable things that have shaped me in my parenting and I continue to love him for that. Happy Father’s Day to all the men who are blessed with the title of "dad". Hang in there and do the right thing ……. the ones you love are depending on it.