Happy Father's Day

My dad,
reading to my sister and me,
1975

You may have tangible wealth untold;

Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.

Richer than I you can never be --

I had a Father* who read to me.

by Strickland Gillilan,

excerpt from the poem The Reading Mother

in Best Loved Poems of the American People, 1936

*the original poem says "Mother", of course!

Yes, I am a lucky, rich girl... my dad read to me all the time (and my mom did, too!).  He also used to make up stories to tell me at bedtime, usually tales about Henry and Matilda, two tiny people who he said lived in my ear with their family of children. :)  I hope that you are rich, too ~ that you've been lucky enough to have your father or your mother or a grandparent or someone special in your life read to you.

I was trying to think of an appropriate book to write about on Father's Day, and then it hit me.  There is a very special picture book that makes me smile every time I read it, one about the love between a father and his child.  It is a family favorite, one that we've read over and over and over again.  I've bought at least ten different copies of the book, giving them away to brand-new parents.  I firmly believe every little boy and girl should grow up hearing it and knowing that they are loved like that, too.

I believe the very best picture book to read... in celebration of Father's Day... or any other day, for that matter... is Guess How Much I Love You, written by Sam McBratney and illustrated by Anita Jeram, 1994.

The entire book touches my heart ~ the charming pictures of Big and Little Nutbrown Hare, the sweet, sweet words, and... most especially... the last line of the book, "I love you right up to the moon -- and back."

One of my favorite quotes is also appropriate for Father's Day:

"Anyone can be a Father. 
It takes someone special to be a Dad."

(Author unknown)

Like I've said, I'm a rich and lucky girl.  I grew up with a wonderful, awesome, special dad.  He read to me, played with me, joked with me, listened to me, and always let me know how very much he loved me.  He is still the best dad ever.  He also has become a wonderful, awesome, special grandpa to my kids.

Happy Father's Day, Dad!  I love you!

Happy Father's Day, as well, to my husband George, and to all the other special dads out there! :)