Like most holidays, Father's Day means something different to every family.

For single father Michael McDaniels and his 14-year-old daughter Madison, the nearly 100-year-old holiday is a day to reflect on family and the road that their lives have taken .

To the McDaniels, Father's Day also, in a sense, also serves as Mother's Day. In 1993, a tragic automobile accident took the life of wife and mother Leah Bryant, leaving the single father to raise his then 4-year-old daughter.

A decade later, Madison is an ordinary teenager excited about entering high school at Ironton this fall. As the family talked about the upcoming Father's Day holiday, Madison said she has a good relationship with her father, and thinks that he has done a good job.

Michael said that it was not an easy task.

"It was a special challenge raising a girl," he said. "Without everyone's help, like my sister, my mother, Madison's grandmother, I would not have been able to do it.

"The first few years were hard. I had to learn about hair, nails, French braids, gymnastics and stuff like that," Michael said. "Just like anything else, you do what you have to do. A lot of other single people out there do this everyday."

Every Father's Day, the McDaniels try to get together with the rest of their family for dinner to spend some quality time together to reminisce on the past and look toward the future, Michael said.

"This holiday is when everyone can get together as a family and reflect," he said. "You never know if you will have that opportunity next year."

A few years ago, Madison bought a picture frame that said, "Dad, You're the Best." She framed a picture of the two when she was about 2 years old, and gave it to him as Father's Day gift that is still prominently displayed in their Ironton house.

"My grandmother went with me shopping," Madison said. "We saw it and thought it would be a good idea."

While Madison said she does not have anything special planned this year, Michael said he has already received his present this year.

"The best Father's Day gift is that she made cheerleader for Ironton next year," he said. "And she is a real good student."

The father and daughter both agreed that they have a good relationship based on humor and friendship. Madison recalls one occasion a few years ago when her dad enjoyed embarrassing her.

"He used to wear a cow Halloween costume around the house. He even took me to school in it," she said. "He would not take it off."

So as another Father's Day comes and goes, the McDaniels will get together with friends and family to celebrate their lives, talk about what might have been and be thankful for the time they have -- always with Leah,

their wife and mother, in their minds.