Sunday, June 20, 2010

Clay Aiken Fans Honor Special Dads


FATHER'S DAY -- In this graphic design, cindilu2 included the words to a "Baby of Mine," as lullaby Clay sang to his son Parker on Good Morning, America almost two years ago.

Second Dad's Day for Clay!

Clay Nation Celebrates Fathers

Any man can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a Dad. - Anne Geddes

Happy Father's Day to Clay Aiken and to all dads everywhere, those still with us and those who live in our hearts!

As high profile parents, Clay and Jaymes Foster keep their son Parker out of the limelight; so the few published photos of the 22-month-old are more than a year old.

Below are clickables of graphics by Fountaindawg, 1, 3, 4, and the opening "Baby of Mine" design by cindilu2, 2.







Long before the birth of his son, Clay Aiken's love for children and advocacy on their behalf played a major role in his life. In 2003, he and Diane Bubel co-founded the National Inclusion Project providing opportunities for children with and without disabilities to participate in community activities while raising public consciousness about the needs and benefits of inclusion.

In 2004, Clay became a UNICEF Ambassador committed to supporting health and educational programs benefiting children around the world. On behalf of UNICEF, he has visited Indonesia, northern Uganda, Somalia, Afghanistan, and Mexico.

The singer's advocacy for children is provided in this pictorial interlude. Included are graphics by Claystruck, 1; AmazingCA, 2 and 5; UNICEF photo, 3; and ClaysTouch, 4.









In today's Clay Aiken News Network edition, SueReu quoted Clarence Budington Kelland in describing Parker's father:

He didn't tell me how to live; he lived and let me watch him do it. - Clarence Budington Kelland

In so many ways, this quote also applies to the three special fathers in my life -- my dad, my father-in-law, and the father of our daughter. This blog pays homage to our family's Three Father Lions, whose narratives were shared here in 2007 and 2008.


Clickable by Sally

Wishing the Father Lions of your life a very memorable celebration. Have a very special weekend, Clay Nation!

Caro

Thank you for your blog comments and props for the contributing artists. To leave a remark, scroll to the bottom of that section, click on the "Post a Comment" link, and write in the box provided.

Visitors have come to this site from 153 countries. Many thnx for stopping by today! - Caro

23 comments:

SueReu said...

Beautiful blog. I adore that quote, it was the first one I found and it was absolutely perfection!!

Clay Aiken sets a mighty fine example and I'm so thrilled for him to be able to share all that love with his son.

Thanks Caro! and hope your ankle gets better really really soon.

Anonymous said...

Hi Caro,

What a Wonderful Father's Day tribute to all Father's....I love "cindilu2's" graphic design! I'm sure Clay is having a wonderful day with his little angle.

Hope your ankle is feeling a little better today....no more "steps backwards" for you.

Big Hugs,
Marlyne

barb 55 said...

Caro, lovely blog and tribute to Clay as a father and all the fathers on their special day.

I'm sure Clay is a wonderful dad and has so much love to give to Parker. I can understand he and Jaymes wanting keep their son out of the limelight.

Sure hope you ankle is feeling better.

BTW, Cindilu's grapic is beautiful.

Love and hugs,
Barbara

claniac24 said...

Thanks so much Caro for your lovely blog. I love that Clay's a father now, and this beautiful tribute to him and all the other fathers we know and love is great to see. Plus, I love the graphics. Good job!

katy said...

Thanks for the Father's Day blog. How wonderful. Also love the grapics.

katy said...

Thanks for the Father's Day blog. How wonderful. Also love the grapics.

deyabird said...

Beautiful blog, beautiful graphics. I wish a happy father's day to Clay and to all fathers.

clayam said...

Wonderful Father's Day blog. Wishing all fathers and specially Clay Aiken a great day.

Anonymous said...

Very nice Father's Day Tribute Caro. The photo collages are great. Clay looks like such a loving father in those pictures.

I hope your ankle is better soon.

Take Care,
Chris

Unknown said...

I'm happy that Clay and Jaymes are keeping Parker out of the limelight. Thankfully though, there are the earlier photos, because Cindy's graphic embodies everything beautiful about a father's love. Her talent is astonishing.

Thanks for another lovely blog.

Anonymous said...

Nice tribute to Dads everywhere and thanks for sharing it. Hope all is well for everyone on this beautiful day for memories and all.Sure hope Parker is smiling, and sharing the day with Dad! (and Mom) Take care, rest and get well! Donna in Wi

jbc4clay said...

Love your blog and the Father's Day Graphics!

Anonymous said...

Caro....what a wonderful blog. Dad's are very special and Clay is one of those very special Dad's.

My dad has been gone for 16 years now and I still miss him. The one thing about dad's that have already left this world...they are still in our hearts and no one can take that away from us.

I big thank you to all the dad's who have made our lives better.

God Bless Them All!
Hugs,
Vickie(Walla)

Anonymous said...

Love this blog, happy Father's Day to Clay and everybody else!

Anonymous said...

As usual a beautiful blog with wonderful pictures. You are one of the few I monitor! Thanks for all the wonderful thoughts and hope you are better soon!! Hugs Claymate Grandma

Sandy said...

A wonderful tribute to Clay on Father's day! I laughed in one of his interviews when they asked Clay if Parker was talking and his response "well not really, guess it's because I talk so much"! Bless him! I am sure he is a wonderful father and knows just how blessed he is that Parker came into his life!

Hope your ankle is on the mend!

Have a great week!

Sandy

ImGranny said...

What a wonderful Father's Day tribute. Thank you! I hope Clay Aiken is enjoying a wonderful Father's Day with his adorable son!

claysweetea said...

What a wonderful Father's Day tribute. Beautiful graphics!!

Mend quickly.

Cindy said...

Thank you for the ;ovely Father's Day blog, Caro. I, too, love the quote SueReu offered - I could have written it myself. My father has been gone for 8 years now and there isn't a day that goes by that I don't miss him and I try to live by the example he set.

Thanks to your reader's too, for the nice words about the graphic. I cherish those 'official' photos even more so because they may be the only ones we ever see. Bless both Clay and Jaymes for keeping their son's life as normal as possible in today's no-such-thing-as-privacy world.

joanie said...

Thanks for another great blog and tribute to Father's Day.

I know Clay must be enjoying his day with Parker. What a lucky boy.

Anonymous said...

Thanks Caro,
Great blog :) Love the quote!
Each time I read about how Clay started his foundation and his passion towards helping kids with disability, I grew prouder of him. Thanks for sharing all the lovely graphics too. AWESOME indeed :D

Hugs,
Sally

reneti said...

Just read the last 2 blogs and visited all the links. Happy you had the link to the insider interview. I can only get the tv version of the program on weekends here and it wasn't shown then. Enjoyed all the info!

Glad your ankles on the mend.
My car is now fixed! After a diagnosis,tow,and a new Battery.
188.00 because it takes a specialized battery. My hubby said "Ford had a better idea" HA!
Anyway looking forward to concert season.
Reneti

T said...

Caro, what a beautiful tribute to all Dads especially for Clay and having Parker in his life. The opening graphic of Cindilu is one of my favorite.

It's so good to celebrate Father's Day and remember also, my dear Dad who I miss so much.

Thanks so much Caro for this memorable blog. We are all so thankful for you in continuing to give us a joyful blog always.

Happy Father's Day! ♥

((Hugs)) & hope you're feeling better! ♥
T