Why don’t eggs tell jokes? They might crack up. Why don’t skeletons fight each other? They don’t have the guts! These are a couple of dad jokes that I found by simply googling “dad jokes.”

But fathers are good for more than their goofy jokes. My own dad has taught his five children, his grandchildren and his great-grandchildren lessons in responsibility, kindness, love of adventure, service and how to simply be good humans. He has also come to his kids’ rescue multiple times for a variety of catastrophes large and small, probably too many to count.

I recently read a description about Father’s Day as a day to celebrate fathers, fatherhood and those who care for and are a positive influence for children. Certainly, a person doesn’t have to be a biological father to be celebrated on Father’s Day. We can all probably name others, including stepfathers, uncles, grandfathers, brothers and friends, who deserve to be celebrated.

According to Britannica.com, Father’s Day in the United States, which is celebrated the third Sunday in June every year, originated in 1909. Apparently, Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington, had the idea to honor fathers after her own father, a Civil War veteran, raised her and her five siblings after their mother died in childbirth.

“She is said to have had the idea in 1909 while listening to a sermon on Mother’s Day, which, at the time, was becoming established as a holiday,” it states. Others supported the idea, and it began to be celebrated on June 19, 1910, the month of the birthday of Dodd’s father. The day became a national holiday in 1972 when President Richard Nixon signed legislation designating the third Sunday of June as Father’s Day.

So, how can we celebrate Father’s Day with those who have been caregivers and positive influences in our lives? Because the day is just a few days before the first day of summer, many barbecue on this day. Other common ways to celebrate include having a movie night or a game night, cooking a favorite meal, learning about his family tree, giving homemade gifts and sharing fun memories.

To all the dads, brothers, uncles, grandfathers, teachers, coaches, friends and others who father the children of the world: Happy Father’s Day!