Since Father’s Day is celebrated in June, I thought this would be a great time to re-post this blog. My father is my hero. A man of integrity and honesty. He is a man who believes in the value of work and responsibility. He is funny and fun. And I love him and respect him more than he could ever know. 
There have been only two times that I witnessed my father break down and cry. The latter transpired as he spoke at his father’s funeral service. The first time happened while he read a book to my siblings and I. The book was Stone Fox by John Reynolds Gardiner.
I still remember my dad’s quavering tone as the protagonist, Little Willy, picked up his dead dog, Searchlight, and carried her across the finish line. Consumed in emotion, Dad became too choked up to continue. The powerful ending swallowed my entire family in loud sobs. It was at that moment that I realized books were magical. If a story could make the strongest man I knew cry, there was no limit to what a good book could do. Reading has been an integral part of my life ever since that defining moment.
Thanks, Dad, for being man enough to cry and for introducing me to the wonderful world of books.
If you have a child, I would highly recommend Stone Fox.
Rebecca Carpenter, copy editor and author 