The photo above, and the writing to the right of it, is from editorial cartoonist Mike Lester. This powerful image offers a profound message to folks such as me -- folks who are still lucky to have their fathers in their lives.

I turned 46 recently and am amazed at how fast time is rushing by -- and I see clearly how lucky I was to be raised by the simple, honest, committed fellow that my brothers-in-law refer to as "The Big Guy." He'll be 75 this year, and he's doing great.

In his efforts to shape me and prepare for life, I gave him his share of grief. Always looking to save a buck -- he and mother had six kids to feed, after all -- he bought a discount toilet for our remodeled basement. When I was 11, I clogged it with an apple core, an action I came to regret.

I broke so many things, over the years, I thought, to borrow from Bill Cosby, that my name was "son of a !!!" Because that is what my father said every time he caught me doing something stupid.

In any event, Father's Day is upon us, which means one thing: let's heed Mike Lester's sound advice and remind our dads how much we appreciate them.