How fortunate are these grandchildren of mine to have a father so enthusiastic over their mere existence! How fortunate was I, then and now.
Fathers’ Day is an invitation to look both backward and forward and sometimes, all around, at those men who have gathered us up in the strength of their arms, envisioned a future for us, and then, helped make it happen. For some of us, like Julia, it is their daddy; sometimes other men step up and fill that role. How fortunate are we, then and now.
The common phrase is, "we stand on their shoulders.” What I remember is, we stand in their hands. I know Dad did it to me—I have the pictures. But I remember him doing it to my younger brother and sisters. Two little feet, small enough to place in the palm of his hand, pudgy locked knees, stand up straight, and, his free hand at the ready, Daddy would lift the child high to the amazement of all, especially the one up there with saucer eyes and tremulous grin, scared and exhilarated both at once. I think from that vantage point, we can see our future and it is exciting and we know we will not fall; he will not let us fall.