This week, with Father's Day approaching, I am recognizing the important role that fathers and parents play and their responsibilities in guiding and instructing their children.

Children need the guidance of parents on how to become responsible and independent people. The guidance my parents gave me taught me the difference between a house and a home.

Since my wife and I served as foster parents for emotionally and disturbed teenage girls, and also provided care in our home for 32 mentally ill patients, I am constantly reminded of how important it is what role you play and your leadership in the position you represent.

My wife and I are overwhelmed with the feedback we get from the people we once cared for. We gave the best we were taught by our parents and others institutions that are important in any community.

Since we have retired from these programs and made our home here in Lula, there are a number of people and organizations we owe a lot of gratitude for helping and being there for us in a time of need.

First, the LABA in Lula, which has accepted me as a member and made me at one time a vice president.

Next, the wonderful residents of Lula who elected me to be their city councilman, and the members of the City Hall government that have always been there in a time of my needs and disabilities.

The members of Gainesville city government have helped me to understand a city with different functions and how they are ran or operated.

The Hall County Sheriff's Department, under the leadership of Steve Cronic, chief deputy Col. Jeff Strickland and Maj. Ramone Gilbert, teaches through their citizen academy how to become more knowledgeable about their duties and operations.

The CASA program, under the leadership of Connie Stephens and her staff, shows how important it is to learn and help parents and children know the importance of sowing good seeds and future growth.

The Northeast Georgia Medical Center and its rehabilitation unit, led by Dr. Marchman and his entire staff, providing wonderful care that was given to me under their care and supervision.

The Bulli Program at Brenau University, under the wonderful leadership of Kathy Amos and her staff, provide studies to continue our education and help our mind captivate and bring us close to people in all walks of life.

The Gainesville Therapy leadership and staff; the Rehabilitation Institute at Sherwood Plaza; the Gainesville Heart Group at Longstreet Clinic; my primary care doctor Kenneth Fogarty, his nurses Cathy and Gerrie and his nurse practitioner for the outstanding care you gave me; and many others with patience and care going far beyond the call of duty day or night that have planted a seed of love, and are so inspiring that it compels me to pass on to others.

My wife and I are hoping, through our service we have rendered to others during our life span thus far, that we have sowed seeds of good will and aspiration in others that have helped them to have a better and a more productive life.

There are usually three important events in your life: birth, marriage and death. However, there is a fourth one which many people forget and that's our legacy. This one tells us not only what we have accomplished during our lifetime, for which God has made us stewards, but if our gift has been beneficial to others as well.

Please be careful of what kind of seeds we have planted. Please read Galatians, Chapter 6, to understand my purpose in writing this message.

Mordecai Wilson is a Lula city councilman.