The word evokes a plethora of meanings. But as I sit at the monitor this Father’s Day, and ponder the men in my life, the one arch thought that precedes all, in the jumble of rapid fire synaptic responses that flash through my ADHD mind, is that “Father” is a verb, and denotes an ongoing actionable process.

I am surrounded by a deep cadre of males in my life. Being a male is a fairly simple and basal thing. We pretty much chase females. That is our deal.  The males in my life are there by choice. I have embraced them, and the reason that I have done so, is that they have chosen to become Men. I want Men around me. Being a man is a choice, or maybe more accurately a series of daily choices, that involve sacrifice and love for that tribe of people which surround you. (They all exemplify this process. )

So is being a Father.

On this Father’s Day, I am very grateful for the circumstances, the vision and wisdom of a certain ex wife, who helped teach me what it meant to become a Father, and for my sons, and the sons who I have linked arms with.

Together we are an amazing force of nature.

Something pretty.

Below is a tiny sampling of some of the Brothers and Men, who have inspired me to engage life as a Father. Click on any of the images for a short back story.