It’s almost Father ’s Day, and we want to send our best wishes to all dads on their special day! Even though the first Father’s Day was celebrated in 1910, it didn’t become a national holiday until 1972. Seems unbelievable that it took so long, doesn’t it? After all, dads do so much for their families, it’s only fitting they should have a day just for them. We’d also like to offer some inspirational thoughts about dads, and after reading the poem “Success” by Robert William Service, we just had to share. Enjoy!
You ask me what I call Success –
It is, I wonder, Happiness?
It is not wealth, it is not fame,
Nor rank, nor power nor honoured name.
It is not triumph in the Arts –
Best-selling books or leading parts.
It is not plaudits of the crowd,
The flame of flags, processions proud.
The panegyrics of the Press
are but the mirage of Success.
You may have all of them, my friend,
Yet be a failure in the end.
I’ve known proud Presidents of banks
Who’ve fought their way up from the ranks,
And party leaders of renown
Who played as boys in Shantytown.
Strong, self-made men, yet seek to trace
Benignity in any face;
Grim purpose, mastery maybe,
Yet never sweet serenity;
Never contentment, thoughts that bless –
That mellow joy I deem Success.
The haply seek some humble hearth,
Quite poor in goods yet rich in mirth,
And see a man of common clay
Watching his little ones at play;
A laughing fellow full of cheer,
Health, strength and faith that mocks at fear;
Who for his happiness relies
On joys he lights in other eyes;
He loves his home and envies none. . . .
Who happier beneath the sun?
Aye, though he walk in lowly ways,
Shining Success has crowned his days.
