It's father's day today. A day to appreciate our fathers. But as a father I would also like to appreciate being a father.
Being a father is not a given even if one would biologically be one. There could be numerous reasons for a father not being part of their children's lives. In some cases it can be even worse, some "fathers" might not live up to what it means being a father and their children would be better of without their father being present in their lives.
There are also many fathers that deserve to be called that even if they are not, or cannot biologically fathers. Being a father doesn't even have to depend on ones gender. It goes beyond all those things.
Being a father is a honour, it has to be earned. It's also a responsibility, it takes an effort to be one and take care of those you have taken as your children.
Even if I'm a father biologically for two children I have never taken that as granted to be truly their father. I have always tried to do my best for being there for them. And I'm honored that they think me as their father in the true meaning of it.