'fathers, not without others'*

'fathers, not without others'* timothy r gates, 6/20/2010

many ways,
today,
i've heard, 'happy father's day.'
my heart jumps
questions
pauses
antiquated words come to mind:
guileless
romantic
fidelity
dear
sweet
faith
nurture
hope
loveliness
beautiful –
i'm reminded,
there are no fathers without
children
grandchildren
godchildren,
and yes – mothers, grandmothers, godmothers and sisters.
(now to be a little more sentimental:
there's no happy day without others).

*Also my youngest son's 13th birthday today. I adore him.