My best mornings begin with coffee, deck time (a true blessing!), and a George Bigere post.
This excerpt, from Floyd Skloot's poem, "Kansas, 1973" inspired me:
I thought it would never end. The drive,
the heat, my child beside me, the bright day
itself, that fathering time in my life.
excerpt from "Kansas, 1973" by Floyd Skloot
From The End of Dreams, Louisiana State University Press, 2003
Brian and Grayson Franz, 2026
Patricia Franz writes picture books and poetry. She believes children, dogs, and sourdough have a lot to teach us about life, joy, and wonder. She has raised two boys, four dogs, and holds a master’s degree in Theology with a focus on children’s spirituality. Patricia, her husband, her Bernese Mountain dog, Bonny, and her sourdough starter split their time between the Arizona desert and the Sierra Nevada mountains. 
Oh Patricia, your poem brought tears to my eyes. It’s such a beautiful tribute to your son. And that picture of the three generations is priceless. Thank you. Oh – and George Bilgere starts my day, too.
What a beautiful poem–especially love the “guide that life” stanza. And your photo is a poem, too!
So beautiful, Patricia! The poems and the photos. A true gift.
Patricia, I love your blog from the beginning photo of three generations to the ending of your tender, inspirational poem. May the fathers in your life find joy this weekend.
Beautiful heartfelt poem. You had me at the 3 generations photo- gorgeous!
Patricia, wow! “The fathering time” is such a sweet phrase. I have had the joy this week of watching my son-in-law father his new son, and it has been a joy to see him rocking the assignment. Your poem to Brian is breathtaking and so very tender. I’m holding the sentiment and wishing every young father could take this advice–especially to guide them to the shore of their dreaming. And that last ironic question addressed to Brian is spot on.
Beautiful poem, Patricia.
Patricia, this is absolutely beautiful. You so perfectly captured the “laying down of armor” and surrendering to your child. Wow! This blew me away. Perfect sentiment for this weekend!
Beautiful, Patricia! Love, find strength riding the currents, even if you lose an oar. So true and how parents navigate with love and in the best way they can:) Wonderful way to usher in Father’s Day!
I, too, start my day with George Bilgere. [He’s a nice antidote to Heather Cox Richardson! 🙂 ] And he often inspires me to write from the poems he chooses! You really knocked this one out of the ballpark. I hope you’ll frame it (and the multi-generation photo) for your son!
Patricia! Your poem brought tears to my eyes! What a special ode to fatherhood! I just love all of it, especially the “the fathering time” title, that gorgeous photo, and the “even if you lose/an oar…” because that’s the greatest gift we can give a child: keep going forward no matter what happens, inviting them to do the same, if they. can. Amazing, Patricia!!!
Oh Patricia, I hope you are gifting the poem and photo to your son. So beautiful.