Back in March, I quoted Mark Twain. This month, we celebrate Father's Day, I felt it prudent to repeat the quote:

"When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished by how much he'd learned in seven years."

Having reached age 48 and with daughters of my own, I realize I'm in that middle world - where I'm still my father's son and at the same time, my daughters' father.

My dad's a veteran, electronics engineer, designer, holder of patents and somewhere along the line, he got his doctorate in stubbornness. He wears a shirt that says: "The longer you complain, the longer God lets you live". We kind of figure that God's afraid he'll try and make some changes up there, so for now, he's left to make his mark right here.

We didn't always see eye-to-eye. In fact, sometimes the glass was half full and others, half empty. It all depended on which side of the argument seemed right at the time. But he taught me life's lessons like a handshake and your word is greater than a contract. But more importantly, he taught me: Sincerity, Honesty and above all, Integrity. I've built my life around those traits and I'm proud of that.

So, for all you dads out there, Happy Father's Day! You've driven us crazy at times, but you're our dads...and that's something we're very proud of.

Love, your sons and daughters...

Robert