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I talked to my father Sunday.

After all, it was Father's Day.

He never answered me because he died a little over 15 years ago. I am sure, though, that he heard me.

I told him about the dance recital two of my granddaugthers were in over the weekend. He never saw my grandchildren because they didn't come around until the early 2000's.

I told them about the t-ball and coach-pitch games my grandchildren are playing this summer. Again, he wasn't able to see them before he died.

I told him about the three youngest grandchildren from just over a year to just over a few months to just over a few days. I know he could tell how proud I am of his grandchildren and his great-grandchildren.

I remember growing up that my father was a man of few words so when he spoke, you had better listen. That was the way you could learn something.

I once asked him how he was so good at everything. He was a great farmer and our farm was always in top notch shape. He was a highly respected Hampshire hog breeder and was known throughout the nation for quality animals.

He said he wasn't good at everything but the things he was good at he learned by doing and by making some mistakes along the way. He told me to never fear a mistake unless I chose not to learn from it.

When I got old enough I figured I should have some responsibility around the farm. I didn't mind the work which included cleaning out hog and calf pens, cutting weeds, painting sheds, baling hay and straw and helping with the milking, the hogs and the crops.

I remember there was one thing that kept me going and that was him saying what I did was a job well done.

That was all I needed to hear from him to make me want to do more.

I used to talk to my father back then. Back then he could hear me and answer me.

I hope he hears me now when I look at my children and grandchildren and how we fit into each other's lives. Because it is my turn to thank him for a job well done.