Missing my dad, who would have been 86 today. A gruff and highly responsible individual, he never really showed much affection towards us his children, but that was the way he was brought up and he always gave us everything we ever needed. Never one to pass up an opportunity to go on a long drive, we spent countless hours with him driving everywhere.

How I wish he could have seen his grandchildren by me, his youngest. Would you believe I am the seventh son of a seventh son?

I salute all the fathers and grandfathers out there, including surrogate fathers, step-fathers and would be fathers.

We all deserve a pat on the back.