The importance of the father-child relationship has been emphasized for ages. An English proverb says, "One father is more than a hundred schoolmasters." And Sigmund Freud stated, "I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father's protection."

Fatherhood -- at least during a child's pre- adolescence -- is one of life's sublime experiences. A combination of tenderness and strength is evoked by the naive and trusting dependency of children. Opportunities for heroism -- from taking the training wheels off the child's bike, to letting them off punishment a couple of days early, to putting children through college -- abound, whether the task requires magic or muscles. In the eyes of a child, Dad is the man; he is the hero.

Thus, Father's Day is an occasion to recognize and celebrate such a hero father's love and sacrifices. However, holidays do not always bring happiness to all. The same goes with Father's Day. Grieving over a lost father may prove tough for many people in a family.

Fate has no mercy. It must run its own course, without heeding anyone's needs and wants. Here is a touching story I watched on a news broadcast of a hero father who prudently tries to stay alive in his child's life and share the responsibility of raising his son in a humanly way.

Sitting on his mother's lap, 2-year-old Jordan King listened to his mother read. "This is the book Daddy wrote for you," she explained, though little Jordan is still too young to understand what his father's book is all about.

One month shy of completing his tour of duty, Sgt. Charles King was killed in action in Iraq. Reflecting on the moment she found out, Jordan's mother Dana Canedy said, "I just collapsed on the floor." Describing her devastation, she told how healing came in a surprise package from the battlefield in the form of the poignant journal to their son. The 200-page journal brought the comforting feeling that she would not be rearing their son alone, Dana said.

The journal is a compilation of thoughts, remembrances and wisdom. The Army sergeant started writing this for his family, something to hold on to in the absence of his guiding hand, just in case he didn't make it back from the war.

"I will do my best to make you and your mother proud of me," the Army sergeant wrote. The memoir contains everything from tips on exercising to saving money, race relations and, above all, the father's desire to instill in his son a profound respect for women. "Remember who taught you to speak, to walk and to be a gentleman. These are your first teachers, my little prince. Embrace them and always treat them like a queen," Charles King wrote.

The sergeant's wife is convinced that her intuitive husband wrote to his son, for he wanted to share, even in his death, his part of responsibility in rearing their son. This book would make Jordan feel "his father was right there walking with him through the phases of his life," Jordan's mother said. Therefore, Dana Canedy, a New York Times senior editor, turned a hero's writings into a book titled "A Journal for Jordan."

The journal ends: "I will always be proud of you my son. ... Live life well. Follow your heart and look for the strength of a woman. Love, Dad."

Happy Father's Day to all fathers.

Mandakini Hiremath is a Claflin instructor and coordinator of the university writing center.

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