I was deeply touched by Dr. Erik Steel’s Father’s Day column (BDN, June 22). I came into my office in Searsport, briefly put my feet up on my desk and started to read that day’s paper. Before I read his column I saw my dad in me.

I was taken back 35 years to a time I’d visited my dad’s office at the St. Regis Paper Co. in Bucksport. I can distinctly recall this rather insignificant event; late in the afternoon, my dad talking to a few other men in his office and he had his feet up on his desk.

I increasingly see bits of my dad’s personality and mannerisms in me, for which I feel blessed. While fear in my heart has not led to building a bomb shelter in my back yard, the desperation I’ve felt about my children’s activities and life’s journeys makes me certainly feel helpless at times.

My oldest daughter now lives in Washington and was there on 9-11. We all worried about planes, had anthrax scares in her office building, and hoped for her safety. She again lives there, returning after grad school, where recently, once again, the Capitol was evacuated a few weeks ago.

What’s a dad to do? Pray, hope for the best, stay involved – just like my dad has for my 49 years.

Bain Pollard

East Orland