June- An apology, and accolades

First off, let me apologize to my Mom for the photo we ran of her last month showing her at physical therapy at Canyon Ranch. I'm a word person, not a photographer, but during our trip to the Ranch I had to do double-duty. The photo we ran was the only one that showed both Mom's face, and that of her therapist. Admittedly it wasn't one of her best photos (we won't talk about the ones of me on that exercise ball!) but it was the only one my art director felt did both subjects justice. Anyway, here's a better photo, showing my Mom, Indevez Fuller, looking more like her beautiful self. Sorry Mom! Now, another public thank-you to the five men who opened up to me and shared their thoughts about becoming fathers at mid-life. This was a story I'd wanted to do for some time, and I felt fortunate that I was able to find men willing to discuss the changes, the challenges and the fulfillment that mid-life parenting have brought to them. I'd especially like to thank my husband, John Gardner, who was not only willing to let me slip on the reporter's mantle and interview him about becoming a dad at 45, but was also very candid with his comments. It's been gratifying and eye-opening to watch my husband of 23 years grow into the role of father. I've learned things about him such as his much-larger than I expected capacity for patience and his super planning-and-organizing skills that I might never have discovered had we never become more than just two. To all the dads and granddads out there - Happy Father's Day. I hope you enjoy this guy-oriented issue! Debbie Gardner PRIME Editor