By Brenda Cannon Henley
Charles Kingsley wrote, “Thank God every morning when you get up that you have something to do which must be done, whether you like it or not. Being forced to work, and forced to do your best, will breed in you temperance, self control, diligence, strength of will, content, and a hundred other virtues which the idle never know.

Elvis perhaps quoted Joseph Addison when he paraphrased, “The grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.” Elvis brought it down to earth by simply saying that every human needs three things to be happy -Something to do, someone to love, and something to look forward to.

David Grayson said, “Happiness is nearly always a rebound from hard work.” As I pondered what to write this week honoring our fathers, I couldn’t help but think of honest, hard working men, young and old, that understand the old fashioned time honored work ethic. In the day and age in which we live, we read and hear about so many deadbeat dads, schemers, partiers, thieves, people causing unrest and harm, absentee father’s and missing husbands, our attention doesn’t often dwell on those who work hard and provide for their families.

This week especially, let’s focus instead on those who get it right. Refinery workers abound in Southeast Texas and we see them everywhere. They work weird hours, split shifts, and are often away from family on special days to see that wives and kids have what they need. No one works harder that strong Texans that still farm or raise cattle. Long hours, battling the elements, risking loss, and sheer, determined hard work make these professions produce. On the coast we know many good men that still make their living from the sea or bayous. They face danger, fret about the weather, keep up engines, and yet seem to absolutely love living the marine life.

Members of our medical and education communities still care and work hard each week. Managers and retail personnel are on the job seven days a week. Men in the food and service industry make those wheels turn while the media tells us what is happening. Law enforcement and members of each branch of the services help to keep us safe often at the cost of their own lives.

Salesmen, professional landscapers, builders, truckers, mechanics, pilots, engineers, electricians, and a myriad of repairmen are faithful to their callings. How often do we stop and say thank you?

Let’s take a little time to express our sincere appreciation to the good men we call fathers and to those who play the role in any capacity in our lives. Remembering hard work, dependability, sacrifice, giving and love shouldn’t really be limited to one day, but I would bet my best Texas boots the men in our lives will be thrilled to know of our gratitude. Be sure to include those without family nearby and the elderly and ill.

Happy Father’s Day 2015.

(This article published 6/15/2015)

Brenda Cannon Henley can be reached at (409) 781-8788, at
[email protected], or by using the contact form below.

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