Imiss my dad. He passed away suddenly in 2011.

He taught me so much, mostly by watching him do daily life.

He was a hard worker, creative when putting things together and solving problems, and boy could he swing a belt. Yes, corporal punishment worked for this slightly strong-willed “rug rat” as he sometimes called me.

Fathers teach us how to do life, how to treat others, and pass on timeless wisdom to their progeny.

Yes, a mother’s work is never done, but neither is a father’s work. Being the primary breadwinner of a family, tending to broken cars, taking care of a house, being a good husband and father is hard work.

In the old days, providing food by hunting, farming, fixing broken things, and the fun chore of chopping wood topped the list of duties of a family man.

Many a son has been tutored in the ways of life and how to make a living. Skills passed down from father to son are a real treasure that guaranteed success to future generations.

“Becoming a dad means you have to be a role model for your son and be someone he can look up to,” said Wayne Rooney, professional athlete.

Honoring fathers is ancient in origin. One of the Ten Commandments says to Honor your father and mother. An Ancient Chinese proverb advises, “Surely proper behavior to parents and elder brothers is the [tree] trunk of goodness.”

Gordon Dalbey writes, “We had better teach our sons mercy. A man who curses his father … curses his own manhood.”

The current Father’s Day celebration came through tragic circumstances.

A coal mine explosion in West Virginia that killed 362 men in 1908 was the inspiration for an event to honor all the men who died in the blast. It was only a one-time event but planted seeds for a day to honor fathers.

William Smart lost his wife in childbirth and was left to raise his 6 children. His only daughter, Sona Louise Smart, saw the sacrifice and pain he endured. From her heart of love for her father, she wanted to create a holiday to honor fathers everywhere.

After much work, Spokane, Washington celebrated a prototype of Fathers Day in 1910. President Woodrow made it an official day 58 years later.

Good fathers mold children by modeling life, sharing moral values, and spending quality time with their wives and children. Billy Graham said, “A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society.”

Artist Gregory Lang said, “A daughter needs a dad to be the standard against which she will judge all men.”

Good fathers lead by example. All fathers are not perfect, but last time I checked, raising a cute little baby to adult is quite the challenge! They can be perfectly imperfect.

Here are some helpful suggestions from Dennis Rainey’s book, “The Tribute and the Promise” to put a smile on the face of your father.

Write a letter thanking your father for all he’s done and all he means to you. Buy a small book of blank pages and write one item you’re thankful for on each page.

Talk about the values you learned, and hope remain in the family for generations to come.

I’m grateful for my dad’s example and discipline because it taught me respect and hard work. Thanks, Dad!