Before there can be ideas, there must be stories. And before there can be stories, there must be a life experienced. When life takes a turn for the worse, leaves you restless and bored or makes you so mad you could almost give voice to all that should be left unsaid, those experiences are right there, in the form of a father, to give light to something otherwise dark.

The stage for sharing such experiences are numerous, as our parents have lived through many joys, trials and tribulations. Bedside chats, campfires, sports fields, mechanical garages, restaurants and kitchens, you name it – a father’s been there and done that, and there is never a bad time to receive wisdom from a father.

It’s not just second-hand stories either. A father’s devotion also comes out of acts of love and guidance. These offerings of mature wisdom and noble action are given without a price and sometimes left without proper thanks.

But the silence that might be exchanged for a father’s love doesn’t hinder the transaction one moment, and that is only a testament to the character and makeup of a father’s soul - because a dad knows it’s worth more than all of that.

So this weekend is the perfect time to fill in that silence with appreciation. Get that new tool set he’s been eyeing. Make that fresh pasta dish he has been talking about for weeks on end. Sit down and watch his favorite sports team with him. Take the time to show him that you care in a way that matters to him – as he has done so many times for you before.

In time, those moments will be the experiences you are able to pass down to the next generation. These are the moments that make fatherhood rich. There may be no better way to give back than to cherish something so simple, together.

So for all the experiences, the stories and the ideas — thanks, Dad. Because of you, the stars are that much closer.