Living Today Father’s Day BY GREG EUBANKS Recently, I saw a television ad for a digital camera. The story of the ad involves a young boy sneaking around the house, taking pictures of his father. After several photos, this father leaves the house with a briefcase and suitcase. The scene presents this young son sitting at the computer, printing the many photos he has taken of his dad. In the final seconds, the boy is sitting on the floor playing a game. The camera slowly pulls away, revealing the pictures taped together to form a life-size photo of his father, which the boy has draped on the couch. I realize that to some, this may seem cute. In my opinion, however, it is a sad commentary on the state of fatherhood and the lack of involvement of many fathers in their children’s lives. With all of this commercial’s faults, it does succeed in presenting a realistic picture of the way a child craves the attention of his parents, in this case Dad. These days, it is popular and entertaining in our culture to present fathers as bumbling fools who are good for a few laughs from time to time but contribute little significance to family life. Through subtle and not-so-subtle messages, our culture finds fathers expendable. Dads, don’t believe it! You play a vital role in the physical, spiritual and emotional development of your children, and they need you desperately. According to the National Fatherhood Initiative, "Children with involved, loving fathers are significantly more likely to do well in school, have healthy self-esteem, exhibit empathy and pro-social behavior, and avoid high-risk behaviors such as drug use, truancy, and criminal activity compared to children who have uninvolved fathers." Note the term, ‘uninvolved fathers’ as opposed to ‘absent fathers,’ which implies geographic distance. Unfortunately, some of the most uninvolved fathers can live just down the hall. Today, as always, we should herald the many fathers in our community who actively love their children. These fathers are heroes who understand the many roles that dads must play: provider, disciplinarian, coach, teacher, forgiver, and encourager. This Father’s Day, I am challenging you to expand your circle of celebration. Find the fathers in your life and express your appreciation to them: friends, neighbors and coworkers as well as family. Though easier said than done, parenting is the only contact sport where you can hit a homerun, score a touchdown or shoot a 3-pointer just by showing up and sticking around. Consider this seventeen-year-old, whose father abandoned her at age two, quoted by the National Center for Fathering. She states, "I don't know what it is to have a father. I see people that have one and wish I had mine. I've always wanted to feel the love of a father. Sometimes my days are bad and I cry because I need someone there to talk to, to share my troubles, my fears and most of all my dreams. I've been through a lot of bad moments and if he would have been there none of this would have happened because he would have been there to protect me. I feel empty inside." We fathers have an incredible power to affect the lives of our children, to instill them with confidence, acceptance, and a sense of safety. Thanks, Dads, for a job well done.