In 1951, I was just beginning my college career, still searching for that Special Someone, and hoping to become a father some day. In that same year, a radio broadcaster began a network and syndicated career that would last nearly half a century. When Paul Harvey commanded, "Stand by for…NEWS!" we did, and when he wanted to tell us "the rest of the story" we wanted to hear it. In his inaugural year, he broadcast an essay about fathers that I liked well enough to file away for future use.

I especially liked one sentence in that essay: "Fathers give daughters away to other men who aren't nearly good enough… so they can have grandchildren that are smarter than anybody's."

As the father of two sons and two daughters, grandfather of twelve, expecting to become a great-grandfather any day now, and again in August, I like that sentence even better now than I did way back in 1951.

Fathers are like runners in a relay.
Fathers are like runners in a relay. We receive from others a heritage we carry for a while, then pass on to others. To make some small contribution to present and future generations is a blessed privilege.

In my family as in yours, "the rest of the story" is yet to be written. I am confident that those who follow me will live it well and write it well. I'm honored to be Daddy... Granddaddy... Great-Granddaddy.

My children, listen when your father corrects you.Pay attention and learn good judgment,
for I am giving you good guidance.
Don’t turn away from my instructions.For I, too, was once my father’s son,
tenderly loved as my mother’s only child.
My father taught me,
“Take my words to heart.
Follow my commands, and you will live.
Get wisdom; develop good judgment.
Don’t forget my words or turn away from them" (Proverbs 4:1-5 NLT).