THOUGHTS FROM GIRLS AND BOYS TOWN The Original Father Flanagan’s Boys’ Home There Is Always Time To Be A Good Dad by Father Val Peter (NAPSA)—Oneof the grandest jobs on earth is that of a father. No matter how tardy a dad may be in applying himself to this joyful task, he may soon discover he wasn't a real man before he was a real father. The other day I wasvisiting with my eighth graders. One of the boys said, “when I grow up, I am going to be a good dad.” So, I asked, “describe a Father Peter good dad to me.” He replied, “a good dad visits his son at least once a month.” Unfortunately, like many young men today, this lad has received the wrong message. Let me provide two enlightening examplesof fatherhood: Joe is 35-years-old and his son, Joey, is 12. Joe has been divorced for many years, but it is not stopping him from being a good father. Instead of pushing himself away from Joey because of the divorce, Joe focuses a big part of his life on fostering their relationship. He and his son spend at least three nights a week together. Joe watches his son practice and play football and he takes him to the circus and auto show. Yet as much as he cheers Joey on, Joe is a disciplinarian. The results of the relationship are astounding. Joey is Joe’s apprentice in what it means to be a good man. A second example is that of Tom, a father who has a demanding job in television. Tom sees his career as important, but secondary to family—a stark contrast to many of his co-workers, who put their jobs before all else. Tom sometimes has to work late or on weekends, but he always makes it up by taking time off to spend with his family. Recently his boss told him he had to put his career before his family. Tom changed jobs with no regrets. Thank God for fathers like these two men. Joe loves being a father—it is the core of his life. Similarly, Tom realizes his vocation is giving—every day of the week, every week of the year—to his family and he finds great enjoyment and satisfaction in it. Both men know that the true meaningoflife is family. Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there who make a tremendous difference in the lives of their children. Girls and Boys Town, the original Father Flanagan's Boys’ Home, is a leader in the direct treatment and care of abused, abandoned and neglected girls and boys. Through 18 sites across the country, the organizationdirectly cares for more than 37,000girls and boys annually. Girls and Boys Town also assists 1.5 million children and parents throughits National Hotline (1-800-448-3000), outreach and training programs and community partnerships. @
