Today is supposed to be a day for men to celebrate fatherhood, and for us to celebrate them. And for many, some of whom I know, this is a celebratory day, a day of pride and gratitude and appreciation.

For others – far too many – this day elicits ambivalence at best, and, at worst, reminders of failure, loss, absence and abuse. 

I have had several father figures in my life, and the men in these photos represent a wide range of experiences. 

There is a lot of writing done on how we should learn to mother ourselves. That writing is full of words like nurture, gentleness, and self-care. 

I've seen nothing on how we should learn to father ourselves. What qualities would that entail, do you think?