HAPPY FATHER'S DAY MY SON (revised/upbeat)

[brianel027]

There was a program the other day on Doctor's Dobson's "Focus on the Family" where they were referencing a lengthy university study on fatherless homes. It comes as no surprise that boys from fatherless homes are more likey to go wrong in life.

But the eye opening statistics based on this lengthy study was that boys are even more likey to go astray from 2-parent homes where the father is NOT INVOLVED.... he's there, BUT not there!!

What an interesting bit of info that is, and a real call to arms to dad's everywhere. It also reminds me of the good ol' days when trains were marketed to fathers AND their sons as a wonderful hobby, not like today where the trains are mostly aimed at weathy adult men.

Seeing a Lionel catalog from my youth, I realized the set I got as a kid was nearly TWO weeks pay for my dad. Yet I had a top of the line Lionel set. It's too bad my dad and I didn't stay as close as the old train ads might have led one to believe. But I know I have kept my youthful outlook on life in large part due to the trains.

I still get a thrill to this day walking into a train shop or watching a real train roll down the rails. I'm sure the look on my face is pretty close to the same one that was there decades ago. And when I see the bright eyed expressions of kids who see my train layout today, I know full well the spark and magic of this hobby is still there!! Even on an 027 non-command, non-scale layout.... kids don't even notice!!

To those of you blessed with kids... don't blow it. You only get one chance. Being a parent is something that never quite worked out for me. To compensate, I've taken a number of kids from single-parent homes under my wing over the years, inluding doing a train layout with one. But I know being a DAD is possibly the hardest job there is, but it's one of the best too!!

[otftch]

My eight year old grandson is staying with us for the summer.What more could we ask.
Ed

[Jumijo]

I'm looking forward to spending a nice day with my wife and kids. I don't need or want any gifts. A nice day with my family is gift enough.

Jim

[kblester]

I want to wish all the Dad's and Grandfather's a very Happy Fathers Day.
My oldest son is about to have his first child in the next week or so. Our first Grandchild!!!!! The baby is a Boy and will be named Kenneth B III after his father and I. What a great honor. The pride is overwhelming. HAPPY FATHER'S DAY MY SON!!!

I have to go start building a layout for my Grandson. Spend some time with your Dad if you can. Dad's have a great day with your children. Make it a day to remember!!!

HAPPY FATHER"S DAY !!!!
Ken Lester