“Every father should remember, one day his son will follow his example, not his advice.” - Charles Kettering

I saw this quote recently and my own father came to mind. Sam Rhodes is the epitome of living his life not only through his words but also by example.

Now in my early 60s, I am blessed to still have my father, who’s 91, and I cherish every moment we have shared and all the ones still to come.

Last year was difficult for our family. My mother, Marjorie, passed away in September at the age of 87 after living a life of kindness, guidance and love. Mom was an incredible woman, and we miss her dearly. She married my father when she was 18 years old, and together, they raised a family that I am proud to be a part of.

Losing my mother was hard on me and my three brothers. But even while grieving the loss of his life partner, my father remained steadfast, providing fatherly love and support to the whole family.

My father embarked on the journey of fatherhood upon the birth of my oldest brother, Mark. After Mark came Tim, then myself and finally our youngest brother, Gregg. My mother, being in a house with four boys and my father, was thrilled when we got married and welcomed more ladies into the Rhodes family.

One thing about raising us boys is that our father instilled in us what it meant to be a man and to become husbands and fathers ourselves. I am thankful for all my father did and continues to do to impress upon me and my brothers how important it is to lead by example in our families and all aspects of our lives. 

Becoming a father is the most life-changing event in a man’s life - at least, it was for me. It doesn’t matter how old you are when you first become a father, or how many nieces and nephews you may have; nothing can truly prepare you for becoming a father for the first time.

When my daughter, Samantha, was born, all the things my dad had taught me through his example now fell upon me to teach to her, and later to my son, Nick. Fatherhood (and now grandfatherhood) has been the greatest blessing of my life. I hope that as I continue to learn and grow as a father - which never stops, by the way - I may live up to the standard that my dad set for what it means to be a father.

As you read this, I’m sure you are thinking of your own father, or perhaps some other men who have helped shape you into who you are today. At CHELCO, our team is made up of countless fathers, uncles, big brothers and influential men who are role models in the lives of their children and many others. I’m proud of all the men at CHELCO for their commitment to their families and their careers, allowing them to provide and protect, just as their fathers did for them and my father did for our family.

I wrote all this to say that I have been blessed with the best father I could ever ask for, and I’m sure you have someone in your life just like that. Whether that person is your father, or just someone who has influenced you in some way, be sure to tell them how much they mean to you. Happy Father’s Day!