Reach back, reach forward

June 15, 2008 in Uncategorized

Old as she was, she still missed her daddy sometimes. -Gloria Naylor

Papa, apa, pita-ji, pabbi, daidi, otosan, tata, tevas, baba, peder, babbas, tayta, pare, daddy.

No matter the language you speak, today’s the day to say "father" or "daddy" or "poppy" and reach out a hand to memories or futures.

Happy father’s day to all those who are dads, to all those who have had a dad, to each of us, really, for what dad means and is.

And especially, from this seat in this home, to my Daddy too-long dead and to Johnny (aka Mr Brilliant), the best dads ever. Ever.

(Image by Claire McDonald Herne for LIFE IS A VERB)

Patti Digh is an author, speaker, and educator who builds learning communities and gets to the heart of difficult topics. Her work over the last three decades has focused on diversity, inclusion, social justice, and living and working mindfully. She has developed diversity strategies and educational programming for major nonprofit and corporate organizations and has been a featured speaker at many national and international conferences.