What makes a great father? Who better to tell us than the child? Through the eyes of their children, the successes of three fathers are revealed today.

Bob Walsh makes an investment in his children, Mary Grace, 14, and Rob, 13, on a daily basis. An involved father, the President of United Community Bank Cobb teaches by example.

"My dad taught me that even on the worst of days, there's always a reason to be happy," said Mary Grace, a rising ninth-grader at the Walker School. Bob, whose wife, Joanne, is an assistant teacher at the Walker School, makes breakfast for the family each morning.

"When I come downstairs, my dad is always laughing, smiling and making us breakfast. He doesn't have to wake up early and make us breakfast, but he does anyway," she said.

It's the smile of the father that brings out the best in his children. "He keeps me calm when I'm stressed, and he always has a smile on his face," said Mary Grace.

"He always tells me, 'You're perfect, and you don't even have to be,'" she added. "He doesn't pressure me to be perfect, but his love and care bring out the best in me."

Rob, a rising eighth-grader at the Walker School, who admires his father's honesty and integrity said, "My dad is a good father because he acts as my mentor and he always has advice about school, sports and how to deal with people."

"My dad is just absolutely perfect. He always does his best to make sure that everyone in my family is happy," Mary Grace said.

"He likes to make jokes," Rob added. "Sometimes they're good."

The close-knit family enjoys cooking, golf and Clemson football together. "I love my dad," said Mary Grace.

Ten-year-old Grace Mutimer shares a special relationship with her father: He has coached Grace and the Wildcat team for five years at McCleskey-East Cobb Family YMCA.

Jim, a graduate of Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, played football on scholarship while in college. A member of two national championship teams, Jim held the record for most interceptions during a season for Georgia Southern. The husband of Jill Mutimer uses his passion for sports on the soccer field.

Jim teaches Grace and her sister, Kate, 8, life lessons on and off the field. "I learned that even when times are tough, you can't give up, never give up," said Grace.

Grace, who enjoys hitting golf balls and practicing soccer with her dad, said, "He's always there for me, and he never lets me down.

"Even if I do something wrong, he'll forgive me and love me," the rising sixth-grade at Marietta 6th Grade Academy said.

Grace describes Jim, who owns Long Tire & Brake in Marietta, as encouraging, helpful and caring.

"His favorite color is purple," said Grace. "He's a great dad."

When 14-year-old Bo Cain spoke of his father, Jeffrey Cain, he described a "close relationship."

The rising ninth-grader at Marietta High School has learned a lot from his father, who is in charge of Security Forces Operations for 22nd Air Force, Dobbins Air Reserve Base.

"I would like to be courageous like (my Dad) and have his can-do attitude," said Bo. "He always has a 'we'll make it through, can-do, it's going to be all okay attitude.'"

It was lessons such as these on which Bo, his mother, Trina, and sister, Ella Grace, 11, could rely when Chief Master Sergeant Jeffrey Cain recently served in northern Iraq for six months.

"It was really hard when (Dad) was in Iraq," said Bo. "While he's here, you kind of take him for granted. The first couple of days I was like, 'Wow. He does a lot.'"

The family relied on prayer and each other during Jeff's absence. "It definitely brought us closer."

Bo and his father enjoy Scouting, camping and talking together.

"His honor and integrity and courage make him special," said Bo. "I am proud."