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Publisher's Letter

Jun 02, 2026 11:10AM ● By Jerome Bilaos

My dad was a rough, tough and fearless man who worked one or two jobs his entire life. He thought making my mother happy and yielding to her wishes was his obligation and purpose. He also kept a tight, protective lid on his feelings.

Understanding who he really was inside was difficult.  He never said I love you, nor did he know how to verbalize his thoughts or feelings. Once, later in his life, I asked him, “Dad, what did you think about your parents abandoning you so early in your life and left to be on your own?” He answered quickly, “x&%! them. If they didn’t want me, I didn’t want them.”  

I was shocked at his response, but for the first time I understood my father a bit better. I saw the pent-up anger that he could only explain with his fists; the internal pain of keeping it locked up and never able to face the fears of how he felt. His inability to release it and move forward on an emotional level was left undiscovered. So, he transferred love in the only way he knew how through acts of devotion and dedication to family. That was his way, the only way he knew. 

Today’s fathers are very different. We now understand the importance of our role as a father, as a husband, and within a family unit. Fatherhood today has expanded far beyond the strictly economic and mechanical. We are much more involved, connected, smarter, and better able to be a model for children. 

Men now recognize the importance of mental and emotional health which includes examining our truth, motives, and honesty. While progress can seem slow, we are moving from stepping away to stepping in; from inviting others to assume responsibility to wanting responsibility ourselves; and from shutting down to opening up. 

Many men now understand how much we have cheated ourselves. Being in the birthing room implanted an enormous new love I had never felt before. Being a single dad and bringing up my son for long stretches from ages one to six brought the most awake, fulfilling moments of my life. The reward of this is something our own fathers were rarely allowed, so I think we should be proud of how far we’ve come. 

Fatherhood is the most important job we have. I wish each of you a Happy Father’s Day and hope that you are receiving the love, understanding, respect and support you deserve.  

With peace, love and laughter,

Joe & Asta Dunne, Publishers
In-Print, Community, Wise Words, Inspiration CNJ NCNJ June 2026

 

 

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