--- title: A Father's Joy description: A Father's Joy --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2011/06/11/a-fathers-joy#) # A Father's Joy Jun 11, 2011 4:00:23 PM  |  by [Brian K. Kravec](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/brian-k-kravec) ![](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/kravec_dad.jpg?width=280&height=420&name=kravec_dad.jpg "kravec_dad")Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up with the training and instruction of the Lord. *Ephesians 6:4* I recently wrote this letter to my daughter on the occasion of her eighth grade graduation. She received it at her class retreat with other beautiful letters from her mom, grandparents, aunts and special friends. I asked her permission to share it with our CatholicMom family hoping to inspire other fathers to prayerfully reflect on the gift of our children that they would lovingly affirm them as beautiful sons and daughters of a most amazing God! *My Dearest Daughter,* *I Love You…* *You are a most precious and extraordinary young woman.* *You are a well spring of love, joy, laughter, warmth, comfort and inspiration to everyone in your life.* *You are growing as a leader and with genuine leadership will always come much responsibility. Always strive to set the example by exceeding the standards. Observe and listen to others so that you would quietly learn from the success and failures of those around you and those who have walked ahead of you.* *You are a child of God.* *“You see, comparisons to others will never bear fruit. You are unique.” [[1]](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2011/06/11/a-fathers-joy#_edn1)* *Continue to work hard and live well - in grace - without compromise of who you are for what you can gain or achieve in the eyes of this world. Continue to grow in love with God, our Heavenly Mother and your family. We can never love too much. Continue to be a loyal, honest, trustworthy and caring person that nurtures, supports and affirms those who share in your life - those who offer you a sharing of their life on the journey.* *True friendship is a gift.* *Forgive and ask forgiveness.* *Be Humble and Be Thankful.* *Be Beautiful and Be Pure.* *Be Faith-filled and Be Catholic.* *Be a Pioneer. [[2]](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2011/06/11/a-fathers-joy#_edn2)* *Be who you already are - who you were created to be.* *Bloom strong! [[3]](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2011/06/11/a-fathers-joy#_edn3)* *I Love You…* *Dad* --- [[1]](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2011/06/11/a-fathers-joy#_ednref1) [Jesus to Lay Apostles Feb 1, 2011](http://www.directionforourtimes.com/p-message.html) [[2]](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2011/06/11/a-fathers-joy#_ednref2) *[Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters by Dr. Meg Meeker](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0345499395/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=catholicmomcom&linkCode=as2&camp=217153&creative=399349&creativeASIN=0345499395)* [[3]](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2011/06/11/a-fathers-joy#_ednref3) Hallmark ***Copyright 2011 Brian K. Kravec ***     ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2011%2F06%2F11%2Fa-fathers-joy%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2011%2F06%2F11%2Fa-fathers-joy%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2011%2F06%2F11%2Fa-fathers-joy%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=A%20Father%27s%20Joy) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2011%2F06%2F11%2Fa-fathers-joy%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2011%2F06%2F11%2Fa-fathers-joy%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Brian K. Kravec](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Brian%20Kravec.png) ### [Brian K. Kravec](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/brian-k-kravec) Brian is a cradle Catholic, husband and father. He's the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Possibility Productions, a 501(c)(3) faith event evangelization apostolate in service of the Body of Christ. Brian has proudly served the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno on the Board of Directors for KNXT Catholic Television, is the Steward of St. Patrick’s Faith Event Ministry for his local parish and a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus. Brian and his wife are consecrated members of the Militia Immaculata. For information on the MI and Total Consecration visit [Consecration.com](http://www.consecration.com). ## Related Blog Articles [ A Knight at the Foot of the Cross Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2010/08/14/a-knight-at-the-foot-of-the-cross) [ Be Bold. Be Catholic. Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2011/02/12/be-bold-be-catholic) [ Tajči Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2011/10/08/tajci) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! 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