I offer these words from a Phillie paper for pondering.
By Christine M. Flowers
Philadelphia Daily News
PASSING through the displays at the drugstore this week, I noticed an abundance of Father's Day cards targeted at nontraditional dads.
People like “The Man Who Raised Me” or “The Person I Always Thought of as Dad” or “The Man Who Married My Mom” or even "My Biological Dad."
There was also a wide selection of African-American-themed cards that made it abundantly clear just how very important it was to honor fatherhood in the black community.
Clearly, fathers are fundamental - not optional accessories or casual acquaintances. And that's especially true for boys.
Sometimes, though, boys don't have the luxury of a father, biological or otherwise. There may be no Daddy taking them to the Phillies game. No Grandpa waiting to teach them how to fish. No Uncle expert at hoisting them on his broad shoulders. Not even a much older brother, willing to share his electronic games.
There might be no one, except a group of men who ask only one question, with open arms: Would you like to join?
GENERATIONS of boys have said yes, allowing these adult Scout Leaders to keep helping, keep caring for and keep inspiring those sons-by-proxy.
How fitting that it's Father's Day, remember your Scout Dads too.
I think there's a Scoutmaster's minute in there.
My husband and I were discussing on Sunday the fact that the Scouting program cannot really be a substitute for an absent father, although all Scout leaders, men and women, can help in the type of formation a good father provides.
In Baden-Powell’s day, there were many boys either without fathers, or with fathers unavailable due to hard work. B-P knew some things about the situations Scouts and Scouters face today.