A father's gift

Half of the genetic material we receive at conception comes from the male. In today's world of in utero fertilization and other ways of inducing conception, it may not always involve the physical presence of a father. Yet for the billions of us who have a father as part of our lives, the gifts extend beyond the biology of birth. The love I observed from my father was very different from that of my mother. As a child I saw my father as invincible, protecting, and affirming. As time passed I learned that my father was less than perfect and had his own challenges in life that often prevented him from experiencing closeness with his children as they matured. But there was enough that he provided at the beginning of my life that influenced my own sense of character. No matter what the nature of your relationship with your father, you have at least one positive gift that he gave you. If you have contact with your father, thank him for that gift and let him know how it has benefitted you. What is the gift that you would thank him for?