Mother's Day is rather simple. Every mother knows that she will get certain things; flowers, a Mother's Day card and dinner at her favorite restaurant.

By time Father's Day comes around everybody is so exhausted from Mother's Day, not to mention most fathers are broke, nobody knows exactly how to make dad's day special or, more importantly, who will finance it.

Too many people are uptight about Father's Day and feel like they are running "the gauntlet." When I say people, I am referring primarily to Yours Truly. Nobody seems to know what to do about good ole dad on his special day.

Fortunately, I have some ideas along this line.

With some of presents I have received over years I'm beginning to think my children imagine me as a "space cowboy," or maybe a "high plains drifter" driving around in a "pink Cadillac" heading for "the bridges of Madison County." Nothing could be further from truth, except Howard Dean's portrayal of Republican Party. What he needs on Father's Day is a "sudden impact" of truth.

When it comes to being a father, I assure you I'm not "the rookie" walking on a "tightrope," directly "in line of fire" running toward "heartbreak ridge." I have quite a bit of experience being a father, going back more than 30 years.

As a father, I have three children notched on my belt. At times, I have felt like "the enforcer" and only way to deal with those children was to use "magnum force" and "hang ‘em high."

I must confess at times I felt like a "pale rider" sweating it out in "city heat," realizing no matter how hard I try it is not "a perfect world" we live in. What would make my day, and other fathers' day, would be a present I could really use, or at least understand without spending an entire day reading directions.

In spite of all this, I have discovered one thing; being a father is its own reward. The Bible puts fatherhood high on list of important positions in life.

David, Psalmist, put his feelings about being a father into familiar words to all who have read Bible. "Lo, children are an heritage of Lord: and fruit of womb is his reward. As arrows are in hand of a mighty man; so are children of youth. Happy is man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with enemies in gate." (Psalm 127:3-5 KJV.)

This year, my advice is, whatever it costs, go ahead and make dad's day. He deserves it.