I can't think of a better way to honor your dad. Well put Jack!

I love it!! I got all emotional since my father just recently passed away and is still hard for me. I love that pic and hope you picked out a nursing home that at least gives him some ice cream!!

You never cease 2 crack me up. U r a fabulous writer! Thank you 4 making me laugh and smile. )

It's a little different for daughters of Dad's, but one thing is exactly the same: my strongest memories are when I made my father proud. Thanks for bringing it up!

Funny, heartfelt & real-life. Well done.

Jack: Cute tribute to your father! Love the photo! You are lucky to still have him in your life.

Happy Birthday to all the great Dads on the blog!

This will be 7th fathers day without my Dad. We bonded over our love our sports and eventhough I have 3 older brothers of any of the kids I am most like him. My father was a very kind, caring and compasionate man. I literally saw him take off a shirt he was wearing and give it to someone because they really liked it. Mind you it was one of my favorite t-shirts! But that is just the kind of guy he was.

Every Fathers day since his passing I raise his favorite "Miller Lite" and cheer all the great memories I have of him. And even though he will never get to walk me down the isle or be there for advise; I know his spirit is always with me!

That was fantastic! Love the humor and how it was moving at the same time! Happy Father's Day to all you Dad's out there!

Well, hope your dad has a sense of humour

And by the way, soccer rules! can't wait for the World Cup next year!!!

Great post Jack. My Dad died 16 years ago, and I miss him more and more as the years go on, but I have great memories and my Mom and I laugh about some of our adventures with him quite often. Thanks for sharing, and your tweets keep me laughing daily.

again, nice and funny blog. are even half as good looking as your dad??? ;D

Simply put that blog was awesome. Thanks once again for the witty insight. Makes me miss my Father and all the crazy times growing up.

Jack,

I follow you on Twitter and now I will read your blog. This post made me laugh...in fact I am going to send it to my dad who, I am sure, will also crack up. You are a very funny and talented writer. Keep it up.

Liz

I especially love the times when your dad helps you get away with things. I was young and visiting my dad in Florida during an especially hot summer. My hair was super long, but my mother didn't want it cut. Turns out I "accidently" slept with gum in my mouth one evening and got gum halfway down my very thick hair. I was able to get a cute, short, breezy haircut!

Well if you were not just the cutest little sprout I ever saw. Daddy John sounds like my kind of people–loves Chevy Chase movies and the Pancake house. I bet he would have sold you for one of my world famous Caramel Cakes. Oh do I wish I had my Dad here to make him one–the world's best Dad ever. He never got over my not being the next Shirley Temple but he never missed any performance I ever had–along with my Mom. We should both should feel so very lucky. I could tell you came from good stock. Treat Daddy right– he loves you. melba ann williams clinton ms aka Whudmel1

Thank you for the wonderful words in your article! My dad is 75 years old. I have an 7 year son with multiple disabilities & autism. It is a marvel to behold how my father has forged a deep and abiding bond with my son who immense challenges. His love towards my child has allowed my son to develop a deep and expressive relationship with his 'Papa', which is so surprising & exciting, given his extensive challenges. This relationship & deep bond has been a wonder to behold by all who witness its beauty. Happy Father's Day, Dad!

Jack–wow did this ring a bell. I'm the 1st son of 4 sons. My dad played about every sport imaginable and is VERY competitive. I failed miserably at baseball, golf, basketball–you name it. But I was driven to learn to play the piano. That was not quite what he had in mind for his future NFL recruit. My biggest thrill was when I got to play the organ at the new church on Christmas midnight mass and my dad was there and proud! Today, he accepts me for me! I too wish my dad many more happy father's days!

Interestingly enough, this reminds me a lot of my father. hilarious! my dad also had a fondness for forcing me to learn to ride my bike and forgetting to mention that in order to break I had to move the pedals backwards... He told me this after I landed in a small pond in the local park. Great times.

Nice one Jack! As usual this one came when the wait was almost becoming unbearable. A wonderful starter for a great TGIF!

My Dad was best friend and hero. He worked as a bricklayer for 40 years, never missed a day and until I was 16, I didn't even realize we were not rich. (When I did, I went out and got a job!) He was your typical Irish, gregarious gentle man. Loved to make people laugh and would give a stranger his last dollar if they were in need.

One of his favorite sayings was "May you live everyday of your life." He did. And I keep this with me always. My mother and I were his Queen and Princess. Being from Chicago, he'd be the one to help all the neighbors shovel snow, fix their houses, give them hope. As I had my "little girl" pajama parties, he'd be up making loaves of bread, bacon, eggs... we were all his daughters. Every Sunday to the Zoo, no matter how many wanted to go.

My mother died when I was 26, so I had many more years with my Dad than my Mom. We became even closer. I could tell him anything. All about my boyfriends, what I was worried about, the gossip at work... he was always interested. We always spent St. Patty's day together, just the two of us. I took care of him until the day he died.

When he died at 88, I was beyond devastated. My husband, no one could console me. Then a girlfriend put it into perspective for everyone. "I get it", she said. "You lost 4 people in a way. You lost a father, a brother, a son, and a best friend all at once!" She was right. Now many years have passed and I know he's always with me. I also know he was one of the finest men that ever walked this earth.

hello jack!
thanks for this beautiful piece of writing.
After my Mom passed away unexpectedly a couple of month ago, my always kind of distanced relation to my dad changed. He started saying things he thought he could never say while she was my big constant in life. I feel closer to him now and I understand much better where he's coming from. It brought us closer, and that I'm thankful for.
That's my little story, thank you for sharing yours.
Have a nice weekend.

What a great article and tribute to your dad. I am sharing this with my 92 year old dad who is still alive and will appreciate the humor and poignancy of your piece. Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there!

In my family, I am so like my father and my sister is so like my mother it is scary He has always inspired me to travel around the world and meet new people because there is no better way to discover what this world is all about. As much as he doesn't like that I am away most of the time, he cannot blame me for behaving the same way he did when he was my age

And my best memories from my childhood involve me and my dad watching Bruce Lee movies! Gosh, those were the times...

Great blog! Since you asked on Twitter, I'll share a memory of my dad.

Growing up, my musical abilities far out weighed my athletic abilities, so at an early age, my dad bought me a piano. There isn't a particular event that I can share, but rather a culmination of several: he never missed a recital, or a time when I played. He always seemed to be beaming with pride when I played. At the time, it probably didn't mean as much as it does now as I look back in retrospect. Since he's been gone for seventeen years, I look back on those times when I made him proud, and cherish those times in my life.

Good post once again Jack. Anyone that doesn't think sports is the end all and be all is fine by me! LOL Hey...you still have your crazy sense of humor so who cares if your not athletic! LOL

I hope all dad's have a Happy Father's day!

Cindy..Ga.

well written, amusing and like you i am not athletic, unless you count the times i am chasing a bus or late for work, then i'm fast as lightening, but oh so much closer to death!.

You were blessed with two spectacularly good looking parents, Jack. I am so happy for you that the adoption went smoothly and they didn't find out until it was too late to do anything about it. Bravo!

Your very charming descriptions of the sports challenged, angst ridden childhood you endured – and survived – is now beautifully realized in this piece. First your magical grandfather, then your lovely mother and now your handsome and determined father; they are understandably proud of you, and it's nice you can return the favor in public and so eloquently. (Although, if I were a nursing home operator, I'd not be too happy to see you coming!)

My own father is 98 and living independently in Southern California. Yesterday's launch of another NASA mission to the moon brought back special memories of his work on Surveyor 7, and my privileged presence at Jet Propulsion Lab in Pasadena CA in April 1967 when it safely landed on the "feet" he helped design. He was away a lot when I was growing up, but I eventually understood and appreciated his sacrifice even more.

If there is one take-away from my father's long and successful life, it is that personal sacrifice may sting a bit going in but, like the needle delivering that flu shot, it protects you for a long time after the sting fades away. I think I detect that lesson in your remembrance of your own dad.

Jack wonderful blog!! I stumbled upon it while on the 360 site and when I looked at the photo of you and your dad – there there was something oddly familiar....I had to know more so I began reading some of your older entries. I almost fell off my seat when I saw your the post about your mother and then did fall off my seat when I saw the one about your grandfather. This comment technically belongs under that post but since the comments are closed I offer them here.

I first met your grandfather in 1972 when I was 18 months old – well at least that's what my mother tells me – he stitched me up after a nasty "car seat in the 2 door Chevy Impala" mishap. Then I became reacquainted with your grandfather – who we knew as "Dr. Bob" because no one could pronounce his name – when I became friends in grammar school with his youngest daughter. I spent a lot of time in the late 70s and early 80s with your grandparents. Since your Aunt was so much younger than her sisters, I became the surrogate sibling (albeit the blonde non-Greek one). As your Aunt's friend and playmate I attended your parents wedding (now I know why the photo of your Dad looked familiar) . We also went (in a station wagon – an earlier model of your "Celeb") to Quebec. Perhaps "Le Farteur" you wish to inherit is actually French Canadian. In fact, I wish I could post the photo I have of me, your Aunt and Grandparents in front of a famous Quebec monument – at least I think it's famous – it's hard to tell because my outfit looks like the Greek Flag (if the Greek Flag has enormous shoulder pads) and it's distracting how much your grandfather looks like Dukakis.

Glad to see you inherited your family's wonderful sense of humor. It was a great surprise to find this – even though now, I feel really old. You see the last time I saw you, you looked like you did in the photo with your dad -.Keep up the great posts!

My father and I weren't close for a number of years in my adolescence but about 10 years ago we worked things out (over shots of tequila.) There was hugging, tears and many toasts involved..the end result being Dad and I were able to re-form a bond. I think I'm more of a daddy's girl now than I ever was as a child.
No nursing home for my daddy...he gets to live with my brother.

ok. you asked for it. sharing mine.

my father was an atheist, my mother a protestant so he sent me and my siblings to a catholic school. he used to sit on our porch on sunday mornings, while my mother was at church, and wait for the mormon preachers to come by so he can debate them on the benefits of drinking 15 cups of coffee per day while his hands shook uncontrollably.

he's gone now (he died before he can even retire) but during his wake, a protestant pastor held a sermon every evening, his catholic teachers held mass for him every morning and even a muslim imam came by to offer his prayers.

he was a great man, a great teacher and a great father. he never hesitated to tell us he loved us kids (much to our embarassment) and thanked us for every little thing that we would do. he always started his sentences with "could you be a good girl/boy" when asking us to make him his next cup of coffee. so of course, we would. until his hands started to shake uncontrollably and he couldn't do anything except wait for mormons while sitting on our porch.

That was nice Jack! I watch my dad now with my nephew and it's amazing how my stern father has become a big kid again with grandson. Sieze the moment.

Comversely, it was in my moment of biggest weakness, when I thought I had disappointed my dad beyond repair, that we connected. I'll never forget him crying (one of two times, the other my sister's wedding), hugging me, and telling me that no matter what he believed in me and I couldn't disappoint him. It's the reason why I'm confident today.

It's amazing how clear those poignant memories with our dads can be.

My dad was a star athlete in Texas so that's saying something. When I was little he made me run plays with my brother and then he would say things like, "You've got hands like a billboard." He made me catch my brother and that's how I wound up with a black eye on the first day of 8th grade in Westport, CT. (very tough crowd)

Today my dad is an aging athlete, no doubt headed for a multi-railed and ramped facility of his own. Your blog reminds me of how important it is to look for common ground. Even when he's all FOX News and I'm all biased liberal media.

Very entertaining.

Made my day jack, thank you! I played baseball my whole life, even competitively and never hit a home run, what a great memory to have and in front of Pops and GranPops!

I must say, you are a good writer, but some of us don't have that father in their life to wish him a happy father's day. My father never really was in my life and then all of a sudden @ the beginning of May, he pops up, says he wanted to meet his grandkids, which the oldest is now 12. Why did he wait so long? So, my question is, should I really wish him a happy father's day?

Awesome blog Jack! You realize of course, that you will do the same thing to your children in the future! And they too, someday, will blog about your trying to get them to participate in the air hockey competition on hovercraft!!
Have a great weekend and take your dad out for a really great meal!
Pamina

Awww ya made ya dad proud jack. I am lucky to have a wonderful dad too, and in fact my parents, who are in their 70's and live in the UK are flying over for a 6 week visit to us here in NJ on fathers day, so i will get to hug him and thank him for being a wonderful guy.
Of course, great dad or not, guests in your house for 6 weeks are like fish-after a while they stink.
happy fathers day dads.
shelly

Hi Jack, great tribute to your dad, and sweet picture. You're blessed to have a wonderful close family–dad, mom, grandparents–you have it all. That's why your voice on blogs and Twitter is so cheerful and sensible.

Hi Jack, that's a nice photo of you and your dad. He's handsome, and so are you! Happy Father's Day to him and all the dads out there!

Lilibeth
Edmonds, Washington

hahaha its true about the pancakes. My most vivid memory of your dad, other than being on his shoulders for "9 ladies dancing" during the Roberts family 25 days of Christmas, is the time your dad showed up to my house with you guys and made a huge pancake breakfast for dinner. He's a good man Jack, and I'm sure you have more than humbled him with all you've become. xoxo

Hi Jack... wonderful tribute, touching and funny as usual.

My sister and I call our dad "The Dude". The word dad just seemed to regular for an unassuming and quietly proud French Quebecer, who is descended from hard working farmer folk. Although he has tried many times to convince us he is a direct descendant of Irish kings. He is a hard working man who fortifies himself with Coca-Cola & cigarettes & my occaisional cheesecake. This fortification begins from the time he gets up in the morning until he retires to bed at night. This is the man who, to this day, reaches for his wallet when my sister is in a bind and delights in seeing his grandsons. He is also the man who we all back away from when he attempts to light the BBQ with a lit cigarette hanging precariously from his lips.

That's our Dude in a nutshell, and we wouldn't have him any other way. Happy Father's Day to all the Papas out there.

@KimberWitch & @underXposd

Jack, that was a really great blog - great blend of your humor that we love and a little sincerity thrown in for good measure. Keep it up!! =)

I can see where you get your good looks!

I've actually had a somewhat distant relationship with my father for most of my life. But two years ago, as I finally made the decision (and stuck with it) to go to college (at 25), it seemed that simultaneously, fate decided to throw tragedy after tragedy at me, giving me every reason possible to fail out.

I've stuck with it, and am doing well, and my dad has really come through for me for the first time in my life. He's been there for me emotionally, he's helped me out financially when I've needed it, and he's mostly stopped with the needless, harsh criticisms on things that have damaged my self esteem.

It's nice to feel like I have more of a 'Dad' now, even if it did take 27 years.

Sounds like your Dad instilled in you a sense of independence of spirit,with a nod to respect of his wishes for you. How lucky you are to still have him and his silent 'guidance'.June 16th was the 39th anniversary of my fathers death.I was 9.....I always wonder who I would have been had I known him all my life.But I am influenced by him every day.He was kind,patient ,funny,compassionate and hard working.I am honored to walk in his footsteps.As honored as, it sounds like, you are to walk in your Dad's.I wish him a Happy Father's Day .: )

That was a wonderful tribute to your father, Jack. I know he is immensly proud of you. I have learned over the years to appreciate my dad, the good and the not so good. He has a great heart but he can be ornery & stubborn as hell and he makes me nuts sometimes. But I have come to realize that of all his children, I am the most like him, the good and not so good. I always tell him I wouldn' t trade him for all the tea in China. Unless of course it was for a Rockefeller.

Hi Jack,

Nice blog today.

Happy Father's Day to my Dad this Sunday. Thanks for all the letters you send to me. I'd will call.

Hope all Dads have a nice Sunday.

Oh Jack, you are always giving us warm, fuzzy feelings when the world seems to be going crazy! Thank you for that. I am from a family of six lucky kids; when dad died we were all stunned. It was unanimous, we had lost our best friend.

Great blog, Jack. It's true that in many respects, we are who we are because of our fathers. I lost my dad suddenly when I was 19 and it's hard for me to believe he's been gone over 10 years. It seems like just yesterday I was rolling my eyes at him as he tried to prove his coolness by (badly) dancing to the popular song of the day.

My dad had his faults, to be sure. But he was the kind of guy who would pitch for all the kids during the neighborhood pick-up game of
Wiffle ball. The kind of guy who would make you chocolate milkshakes late at night. The kind of guy who would sit down with his (slightly mortified) teenage daughter and watch an episode of Felicity because he wanted to see what she liked to watch.

In the years since he's been gone, I've realized that I am more like my father than I ever would have guessed–even taking on aspects of him that my teenage self found annoying. I guess in some ways our parents never really die. To this day, I'll hear a certain song or experience some other trigger and my world will pause for a second at the memory of him. Happy Father's Day to all the dad's out there.

PS: I'm totally aw-ing at that picture.

Hi, Jack!

I loved your post!

Curious is that the Father's Day in Brazil is celebrated on the second Sunday in August. And searching on Wikipedia, I discovered that Father's Day and Mother's Day varies (and far) from country to country.

What great picture in your post. Very cool!
But about picture, you understand a lot!

My father died in 2005. I feel much miss him. This is a loss that I'll never overcome ... I think it is well with everyone.

My father taught me to love the books, to love writing and love of nature. Ah, Mr. Ivan – miss that!

Happy Father's Day, Jack's Dad!

Thanks, Jack!

Very sweet blog, Jack, with just enough of your typical edge to keep it real. I miss my dad every single day, especially at Father's Day. He played a large part in making me the person I am today. You and I are lucky to have great relationships with our fathers – it's rare and invaluable.

I loved the blog. I barely survived the few tennis games I played with your father as a kid (he had a mean serve. And by that I mean lethal if it came in contact with your head). I agree with all of the nice things you said about him too...Happy Father's Day to Sammy's Dad.

Jack,

Great post and CUTE picture. I'm sure he's very proud of you, despite not making it onto the ATP tennis tour.

First of all it would be un-American, to not like Chevy Chase, movies, and being a father myself only makes me think of my late father and the summers spending at his corner fastfood resturant, some of us don't know how good we have it to still have one, but to me he will always be , and as long as God, exist, I definatly have a father, enjoyed your article Jack.

–joseph jones (AC360 Follower)

I love this story.
Wish I had a good one to share...

Thanks for the hear warming blog Jack.

I'm miss my father every day. Being a woman I didn't have to endure the sports stuff (poor dad had 3 girls to raise by himself) I always wanted him to be proud of me, and he was.

Love and miss you dad!

Hi Jack!
That is so sweet! Happy Father's Day Mr. Gray! You did a good job!
Gosh, I miss my Dad. He has been gone for three years now and I still miss him like a knife in my heart.
Happy Father's Day to all the Dads out there.
Heaven knows there is nothinng more Godly than the love of a Father.
Amen!
Love and hugs and peace!
@BettyAnnTx

Love your story, I am 47 single parent to one son, when I was 5, my dad brought me to usa from croatia-best thing he did for me, soon others from croatia followed, dad still has a heavy european accent, I don't, as the years pass and I get older I think of the one apt. one set of clothing he had to wear to work everyday, when he came to usa, and how he fixed typewriters for a living-my heart is more touched and I am thankful, his brother came to usa and had a son jerry zovko, he died horricly and I witnessed it on cnn, so jerry was born in usa and was proud to serve-no one could talk him out of going to iraq.

My son has more freedom, opprotunitys being here-we live in tx. We love you dad. Online Jerry Zovko–I think of you everyday cousin.

Jack,

I'm sure dad is beaming with pride as he reads this...what a fitting father's day tribute. I can certainly relate to the sports stories...I'm still trying to figure out which way to run on the soccer field.

This brings up some great memories:)

My parents married late in life and were destined to only produce one offspring. My father was sure it was going to be the first Jewish quarterback for Notre Dame, but he got me.

The fact that I was a girl did not dissuade him, much like Jack's father, in trying to take part in sports. First came the model airplane kits and Nerf footballs. Then it was ice hockey and tennis. Finally a quick stab at handball proved that I was never going to "athletic" so we settled on going to football games - Notre Dame on Saturdays, Bears games on Sundays - where I vaguely remember thermoses of hot sake martinis or spiked hot chocolate so we didn't mind the cold Midwestern Winters.

To Dad's credit, I could never use the excuse "because I'm a girl" to get out of doing anything. There were the piloting licenses at 16, the deep-sea fishing trips and white water rafting trips throughout my life. When, in my mid-30's I snuck out and tried AFF parachuting, my father's only response was "Where's the video?" When I said it cost to much, he gave me the money to throw myself out of a plane again and get video. Hum, what was I thinking?

So, looking back on this third father's day without him, I am reminded that I have many colorful memories not usual of my group – feeding the bears marshmallows in Yellowstone (it was the 60's and we didn't know any better then), sitting with a bag of peanuts so that the resident ground squirrels would cover me for his photoshoot, and finally getting bitten by a raccoon in Yosemite and having him pour Peroxide on it and moving on (remember, I was the expendable child since I wasn't the boy he wanted).

But back to football. Many years ago, I worked an event where some of the San Diego Chargers were making an experience. Doug Flutie was one of them. My father was also in attendance. On our way back to the car, Dad chuffed me on the shoulder and said, "He's not that much taller than you! You could have played if you wanted to." Yeah, somehow the thought of me, a 5'2" female, standing over center was laughable, but obviously old wishes die hard.

What a great piece. And I'm totally with you on being forced into the sports against my will.

Not a fan of Fathers Day but great blog Jack as usual.

Jack

Your father sounds wonderful – I hope you at least upgrade his nursing home in the future a few notches. Football, baseball, soccer – the typical fare growing up these days. I signed my son up for these sports too as well as my daughters. My daughters loved the teams and the sports and played for many years (I got a bad case of bleacher back from it), but my son – well he didn't care for the refreshments and he was missing his cartoons so he did the required one season and quit (that was the deal you see- try it for a season and if you don't like it you can do something else – his something else was watching cartoons and blowing up star wars action figures).

His big moment in soccer came when someone kicked the ball right to him – there was no one around him and he could have taken that ball down the field for a goal. I had big visions in my mind but he didn't – he looked down at the ball, prodded it a little with his foot with everyone screaming at him to kick it and run, and then he did what the crowd was saying- he ran without the ball – he didn't even run toward the goal – he just ran. All the parents looked at me and they all moved away from me on the bench. I couldn't show my face for the next several games after that one because his team lost the game....I don't think it was just his fault that they lost but he could have made it 1 point less of a loss if he had done the "right" thing. Then they wouldn't have lost by 20 points – just 19.

My dad's favorite thing to do with us was to have a snowball fight with us in the winter (he always won) and in the summer to show us the lovely expanse of grass on our yard and then hand us the lawnmower. My mother had made the mistake of planting the pasture variety of the grass in our yard instead of the yard variety and it grew fast and thick and was the very devil to cut. We went through a lot of lawn mowers. He gave me my lifelong aversion to houses with yards.

Dad also teased us a lot – from there is a boy on the line asking for you (nope) to looking at my grades on my report card – "Um....try to do better next time. All A's isn't the best you can do". Dad taught us a lot and I wish he was still around today – he died a few years ago of Alzheimers. By the time he died he didn't know who we were but he did know who mother was and he knew that he was Elvis. (That isn't what his driver's license said though). He wouldn't sing for us because he said it got too many girls screaming (and dogs howling) and while it was sad what the disease did to him at least he went out in style – Elvis my friends has left the building.

Hope everyone's father has a great father's day!! Thanks for sharing your memories Jack.....

Mr. John Gray,
You are indeed blessed to have such a talented son. Jack might not be able to excel in sports, but his words score every time. Be proud and have a very happy Fathers Day!

Long before Brad & Angelina made international families all the rage, my dad just wanted to relieve the suffering of one. My eight siblings and I didn't always appreciate the man our dad was growing up, but I believe as adults we've all come to respect what he instilled in us.

Hi Jack

Thanks for sharing your stories on your Dad he must be so proud of you . So you were not good at sports i myself was born with two left feet and everyone made fun of me it was hell in school ,I guess you showed them now with all your sucess way to go Jack !

Have a happy father's day to your dad!

Michelle D.

Hey Jack, looks like you were a bundle of energy !!! Your Dad seems to b relaxing:) If there's 1 thing parent's know, its spending time with their children, and loving them no matter what~ Happy morning coffee ~ ~Dl Great photo, love B/W. heartfelt sharing, thanks.

Have a blessed weekend ~ Lori

Hi Jack

You such a mush! I love it. Neither of my kids have any interest in sports, I personally don't have a competititve bone in my body so there you go! I don't really understand the sports addiction, I personally have a shoe s addiction but that's another "blog". Have a great weekend and see you on twitter!

Marcelle @runwhenyoucan

Jack ,I have to give credit to CNN blog for even knowing who you are. Being retired, incurable and all the good things that goes with age, AC360* has turned me on to many of its commentators , such as yourself. I now have something to do other than watching the news channels between my selective programs. You dear Jack make my day every time I read your blog. I absolutely adore what you have to say. Thank you for being a good American son to your Dad who knows that you are done deal!

Great post. The older I get, the more I appreciate my dad (especially since my mom died). This father's day, though, I am missing my godfather who died two years ago. He was my dad's only brother. I was his only niece. I just miss his constant presence, protection, and love. While we talk about dads and how great they are (mine is), there is a special place for godfathers and uncles, too, and the power they have to influence and love us unconditionally in a way parents can't. Here's to the dads, godfathers, grandpas, uncles, and brothers out there who make or made a difference in our lives.

Hi Jack,
What a nice picture of you and your Dad. You're such a cute little boy. Your post is so funny. Hope you have a great weekend! Have a nice Father's Day, whatever you end up doing. Take care – talk to you later.

Hey bloggers, long time no Tweet!
Nice picture of you and your Dad, Jack! Yours is one good looking family, I must say.
Time for me to pay tribute to my Daddy B – I think Frenchie summed it up best in Grease when she told Sandy 'The only man a girl can rely on is her Daddy'.
There's no doubting my father has given me so much in life. .. like flatulence, excessive body hair, my control freak tendencies, hypochondria, impatience, the inability to suffer fools gladly, dodgy sinuses and the ability to swear like a trooper.
But he has also given me generosity, affection, humour, loyalty, hard work and money..and plenty of all of them over the years.
I would be truly lost without him, so here's to you, Daddy B – thanks for everything. I love you more than chocolate, football and Anderson Cooper (sorry, Coop!)
Hope all of you have a great Father's Day – Jack, I trust Sammy bought you something nice, even if you did have to spot her a $20 for it..

PLEASE share with auidence and keep it up.. Keep American politicians (Democrat and Republican antics) from interfering in Iranian politics, at this juncture. It would greatly hurt the organic Iranian opposition actions, as they will be tied to US, by the Mullas' propaganda. . Obama has been wise and right to stay out.

Jack,

You honored your Dad with love and humor. As a parent, it doesn't get any better than that. I hope the two of you will be enjoying the day together. You do look like your Dad. Pass on a Happy Father's day from a trusted viewer!

Very nice read!

Very nice, Jack! Happy Father's Day to all the Daddy's out there! Have a great day!

If I new who my "Father's", were, I wold write something like that. All in all, your a great writer Jack. Thanks – Wesley of Yarnell...

If I new who my "Father's", were, I would write something like that. All in all, your a great writer Jack. Thanks – Wesley of Yarnell...

Very well said and you've got a cute picture out here too.

I've felt the same way, I've been so happy to see my Dad proud of me doing well in life and I've always considered myself a daddy's daughter having his passion for music, reading, OCD! (sometimes)...

Happy Father's Day to all the dad's.

nice blog jack im 77 and a father of 4 , 2 boys and 2 girls, my youngest is 44, and we all get along very good

After talking with my relative in Iran, yesterday my family member said her friend was attacked by a guard in the streets, when she started begging him to stop beating her up, she found out the guard could not speak in Farsi, Palestinians in Iran, they are importing Palestinians to kill people of Iran. Please report this as unconfirmed report at least, I have trusted your integrity, please believe me.

Arash

Great and funny blog! My dad lives along the coast, too far for me to see him today. My best memories growing up are from spending summers commercial salmon fishing with him. Once there was a pod of orcas a ways off, all the salmon boats headed the opposite direction (orcas scare off salmon and can get tangled in lines). But my dad pulled up the lines and headed over to them so I could check them out, he knew he was losing money by doing it but did it anyway (I was about 12 then). One of the whales came up to the boat and swam on it's side to have a look – I looked right in his eye – I'll never forget it – thanks dad. Also he practiced throwing the football with me and helped me win a 3rd place trophy in the "punt pass and kick" contest when I was 10. That was a good day for both of us. Happy Father's Day.

No one has the perfect dad. Mine was not. He did his best, and I am so happy that he is still here so I can hug him and tell him "I love you".

Great article an tribute to your dad as a daugther there's a different father daugther relationship that we've with our dads we were mostly warned from the dating boys until your 100 get a great education an don't let any one treat you less than how I've love you thnx dad for every in sight you've given me an happy fathers day to all you amazing days

Happy Father's Day 2009 to all the Father's out there here in the United States and around the world. Today is your day, the day to celebrate the people we call father's. Im so thankful for my mother and father, that there still together after 28yrs. My father Michael Stodden is a Vietnam vetern, and at the age of 60yrs old he is still working at a tire factory, Daddy thank you for everything you've done for me thus far, Im so proud of you and everything you do. Happy Father's Day 2009

Nice tribute, Jack! Love the pic as well. Wishing all the Dad's out there a great Father's Day!

@ChrisSosa

God, can I ever relate to this! Hysterical! Thanks for sharing.

Happy Father's Day Daddy. John Witty, actor, broadcaster, writer, Oxford scholar, World War 11 veteran. 17th September 1915 – Jan 14th 1990. Father to Venetia, Jinni, Josh and Sara. You will live on in our hearts and in your movies – I must have watched you as Captain Entenza in "Captain Horatio Hornblower" with Gregory Peck a hundred times! I know you are at peace now.

Thanks so much Jack. My Dad died 4 years ago and he was a great guy. Each year on his birthday and Fathers Day, I take $40.00 and hit the casino, just like when he was around. Some years are better than others, but this year he'll be proud to know I walked out with $450. Hell, he probably had something to do with it! Thanks Dad!
As you can tell, your father will always influence you, so choose that nursing home well!

06/21/09

Some Mom's simply aren't cut out for that role. It doesn't seen to be
in their DNA!

My Dad was Mom AND Dad to me so I'm missing him doubly today!

He did so very much for me, I could write an encyclopedia; but I'll stick
with one of my favorite things and one of his!

I loved to go to the movies and he loved baseball; and that's mostly
what we did for recreation. While he was enjoying the game, I was
gorging on hot dogs and sodas! To this day I can't smell a hot dog
(or a cigar) without thinking of my Dad.

He seemingly – cheerfully – took me to the movies whenever I asked!
We roared at Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis comedies and I ran out of the
theatre during the original "War of the Worlds"!

On one occasion, he thought he saw a man in the row behind us
touching my hair. He stood up tall, all 5'4" inches of him, and roared
like a Lion! Of course we were escorted out (but I never loved my
Daddy more!!!)

Dad, though you're not here, I hope you're near! Wherever you are in your journey in the afterlife; I carry you always in my heart; and AS
LONG AS I LIVE, YOU LIVE – DEARLY BELOVED FATHER!

norma from nevada

That was beautiful, Jack! Loved it! a perfect little reminder that even though dad might not have been the perfect definition of a dad or exactly what one might have wanted – most of us still realize that and still honestly say "hey, Dad, this may be a collect call n'everything... but, I love you."

loved your tribute to your dad, Jack. As an adopted daughter I always wished I could have known my bio father (died in military). Adopted dad cut off all contact with us after his wife died. But I have always maintained that I did learn from their mistakes and the pain they inflicted on others and then moved on. WAH, WAH., WAH. Thanks Jack, also loved the photo. Happy Fathers day.

Its so complicated to have the right feeling. I have never been so sad. I am sad because I am helpless. I am sad because we are so prothetic in Los Angeles that Amanpour has to interview Azzita Shirazi, GharibAfshar, Shiva Rose, and Aghdaslou as our spokes people.
I am sad because Amanpour whom I admire, puts a quick program together for CNN, embarrassing us by bringing these non-relevant folks on, and give them an unwarranted voice.
I am sad that right wing Americans that months ago were calling for the bombing of our people, now have become the devils advocate of supporting our people, Ann Colber, Mc Caine,Mike Pence, and Nitan Yahoo and the other political opportunists, like vultures are hoping a nation tears itself apart.
To our youth I say not to ever assume that other countries support them without their self interests, and agendas as history has proven that. In Cuba the American backed cubans were left to be slaughtered by Fidel's troops. In 90s the provoked Shiites up rising in Iraq which the Bush Senior did not support them and they were slaughtered by Sadam. You are are intelligent, sophisticated, and not suppressible, but I think that your struggle should be through the system, and not to cause harm to our nation. Having said that I wish our great nation peaces, freedom, and democracy. But a home grown democracy. One once said a home grown dictatorship serves me better than a democracy brought up by others. God bless Iran, and may God look after our youth, and our nation.

Khashayar

Tehran-Iran
=

Along with Anderson Cooper, I am shedding tears on this day, because my father passed away 3 weeks prior to 9/11 on my younger brother's b'day. Yah, I was already in mourning when I watched those towers crashing down.

We used to celebrate the month of August grantly with my father's and both my bro's b'days happening this month. To have my father pass away by having a stroke at the moment he was giving farewell speech at his retirement party (after the minister of Health and colleagues had each their own 2-HOUR speeches) is still devastating and traumatizing to our minds. My mom blames the nurse-assistant -who worked years for my father (forgot to mention that he was a immunology doctor)- who made a remorseful comment that raised Dad's blood pressure. We all blame Mom for raising Dad's bloodpressure. It was his 3rd stroke over 6 years.

Happy Father's Day!!!

Thanks Dad, for all the great times spent in various arenas or in front of the TV, thanks for giving your girls the lifetime love of hockey. Happy Father's Day to all the dad's who dragged (and still drag) their kids to all manner of sporting events for the ultimate bonding experience !
Jack, thanks again for another great post .

Hi Jack,
Your story was very touching. I lost my Dad 23 years ago and have many fond memories of him.How I wish he were here today so I could give him a hug and best wishes. Happy Father's Day to your Dad and to you for being such a good "Dad" to Sammy.

On 9/11 our world changed, regardless of our country, politics, race, religion, creed or gender, all the free, democratic people of the world for that day had become Americans. Simply put the Americans were not only our allies and friends they were us and we were them.

The attack on the USA was an attack on every democratic country in the world. It wasn’t an attack just on America; it was an attack on all of us. Again realizing freedom comes with a price.

In 2009 the Iranian election which has had numerous flaws that have not been properly addressed and would indicate the election was a fraud. This is making a similar mark on the democracies of the world.

Although for political reasons the world leaders cannot condemn the election for fear of making Iran look like it maybe a puppet government. And as such most world leaders rightfully have to stop short in condemning the election. So it’s up to us as a people.

I, as a Canadian citizen do not have to worry about political correctness. I am convinced as there has been no believable evidence given by the government of Iran to prove the contrary that the election was not fixed.

For all Iranian people who like we believe in a democracy. I wish to express my deepest heartfelt gratitude. You have made a heroic statement of which, the democratic world is watching and praying for you.

Although I cannot speak for everyone it is becoming more evident everyday, the common people from all the democracies of the world are hoping, wishing, and praying for you in your demand for accountability from the election. We are not talking tens or hundreds, thousands, or even tens of thousands here we are talking millions if not billions of people.

Every time one goes out to protest in Iran (if you are aware of it or not) there are millions of people behind each of you (outside of Iran). Hoping and praying for accountability that you so desperately seek. We are also hoping you return safely without harm or arrest.

I like most people; pray that God keeps you well and out of harms way. That God protects you and gives you strength to keep going during these trying times. We pray that this issue can be resolved without further bloodshed. I hope the Iranian people realize that are not alone in your quest for justice and freedom. The world is behind you.

I believe to show support for our democratic brother and sisters in Iran that we wear the color green of the Iranian people to publicly show our support and love for democracy and freedom and they have on such a extreme.

Dale Herbach
Proud Canadian

At first, your blog made me wonder if I could somehow be screwing up my teenaged son with how I try to guide him-not force him-but urge him to do things that will build character. By the end of your blog, I concluded that I'm not screwing him up-that even if I make a mistake, the fact that I'm spending time and taking an interest in him will help him as an adult. I found your blog entertaining and thoughtful.