(Original Post) Today I’m sharing a piece my husband Monte used for a five-minute radio spot in 1997. It’s appropriate for Father’s Day.
I want to share about a conversation I had with my daughter, Sandy, a couple of weeks ago. It took us back to a time over twenty years ago when she was only four years old. In the summer of 1974, while I was teaching physics at Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania, I went to Berkeley, California, to learn about energy at Berkeley Lab. As I concluded the month of study, my wife, Carolyn, Sandy and my two-year-old son, Nolan, headed to California on the Greyhound bus. They joined me in Berkeley for a week and we spent two more weeks traveling the west by bus. Sandy reminded me the other day of all that she remembers and treasures from that trip. She remembers going to the San Diego Zoo, attending a circus in San Diego, visiting the Grand Canyon, stopping to tour Oral Roberts University and going up the St. Louis Arch. She is able to relate facts about that trip that I have forgotten. I doubt that many of you would choose an adventure like we had, traveling with two small children on crowded buses. It’s probably frightening to even think about. My most vivid memory was the Sunday we crossed from Salt Lake City to Reno. The bus was fully loaded so the children had to sit on our laps. It was over 100 degrees outside and the air conditioner on the bus broke down. That was probably one of the best vacations that we had together as a family. It’s times when you spend 24 hours a day doing something special that leave lasting impressions in our lives. I’m reminded by Sandy’s comments that every parent is entrusted with the nurture and care of their children. Jesus gave us the directive to invite the children into our midst to be taught, cared for and listened to, but we who are parents have an even greater responsibility with those that are in our family. As I hear this story and am reminded of the impact of such a trip, I’m also reminded of the special times that we spend with our children during the rest of the year. They are very valuable also. What are you doing to help your child grow intellectually, physically, emotionally, socially and spiritually? We have a role to play in each of these areas for our children. Our lives are an example for each of the children each and every day. ---written by Monte on July 25, 1887 May you be the best father you can be, not only for your children but for other children as well. | 
