A Dad by any other Name

Tonight we celebrated Father's Day with the family. After dinner and gifts, my husband Jim rose to "tell a short story."

He related a time at Ohio State when his parents unexpectedly showed up on campus. In the evening of their visit the three of them, along with 200 others, attended an annual dinner for Baker Hall, the dorm where Jim lived. During the program two residents of the hall came up behind Jim and escorted him to the stage. Unbeknownst to him he was being inducted into the Baker Hall Honor Society and would now be known as Sir James Thomas. His parents had been alerted that this honor was to be bestowed and drove to campus for the ceremony.

A few years later, Jim was in the army. Receiving his third stripe he now had the new designation of Sergeant. Another title by which to be known.

A few years later, he was awarded the Juris Doctorate degree which came with the title Esquire.

Lots of titles; lots of awards.

But at dinner last night, Jim stood in front of the family to state that on April 7, 1972, he received the title that he most cherishes and is most proud of when two little girls after marrying their mother begin to call him Dad.

Nothing has been more fulfilling.

There wasn't a dry eye.

And that's what I think about it.