Here’s to the Dads

Over the years that I have been on this magazine, I have visited many mines, plants and offices to get information for articles. After I have spent the requisite time interviewing someone, usually the tension eases and I start asking about “things”–Where did you grow up? What do you do on the weekends around here? Sometimes people in turn ask me questions–How did you get into this line of work? Do you have kids?

Before I was a mom, people (especially men) would invariably recommend that I have children soon. Now that I am a parent, I find that, given half a chance, people (usually men) will talk about their children’s accomplishments or sometimes their difficulties.

This has come as a surprise. Of course I know that people have more dimensions than just work, but I thought men would compartmentalize home life from work, or would feel awkward talking about their children to strangers. Not so.

As this issue will be published shortly after Father’s Day, please indulge my sentimentality this once. I want to take the opportunity to thank our fathers and the fathers of our children for the essential role that they play: preparing children for life and eventually launching them into the world.

Dad’s attention is precious; his approval is necessary for us children to feel truly confident. Fathers set an example that we are almost bound to follow. All grown men leave their mark in the community, and should be careful to live up to high standards in their personal and social lives as well as at work. I salute all the guys, including my husband George, who place more importance on their child-rearing than on their other accomplishments.

For playing his father and grandfather roles seriously yet bringing fun and excitement into our lives, I would like to thank my own dad, Scott Murray. He died over a painful period of two weeks this spring, setting an example of remarkable gentleness, patience, and good spirits, encouraging my brothers and mom and me to “hang in there”.

That’s what we’re doing.