Father’s Day
My kids asked my wife and I “How come there’s no Kids Day like there is a Father’s Day and Mother’s Day?”
My answer was that every day is Kids Day! Kids have parents who work to provide for them! Kids have no real cares of responsibility (ok, school work, I will give him that)! Kids get to spend nearly every hour watching TV and playing! Parents on the other hand, they get just one day a year.
Fathers, this is your day! Enjoy it while lasts. But as you enjoy it, may you reflect on the meaning of what fatherhood is all about.
Yes, children are wonderful when you’re lying on the couch and can’t reach the remote control. Yes it is fantastic when they are at the age in which you can bribe them to do your chores for a mere nickel (watch out though , the rates increase with age). However I have found that one of the greatest things about being a father is the privilege of raising a human being. To teach them the ways of life in regard to sophistication , financial skills , relational skills , good judgment, goal setting and values.
Many of us have aspirations to be famous or to influence a great number of people. It dawned on me some point years ago while still a fairly new father that it is infinitely better to positively influence your own child or children than to influence thousands or even millions of strangers.
May today also remind of each of us that it is not enought just to be “father.” We must also strive to become “Dad.” There is a difference! Yes, a father provides, teaches and disciplines. But it is Dad who is fun and connects with his children without judgement.
Finally, make sure you express your appreciation to your father. I know most people get that, after all that’s the whole purpose of the holiday. But I would encourage the many people who have strained relationships with their fathers to consider reaching out to them. Don’t put off making amends. After all, love them or hate them, if it wasn’t for them you wouldn’t even have a shot at this thing called life.
A Father’s Love
A father is respected because
he gives his children leadership…
appreciated because
he gives his children care…
valued because
he gives his children time…
loved because
he gives his children the one thing
they treasure most – himself.
I’m not a dad but I got to read it lol
I dove into fatherhood without much thought about what it was all about. I loved young sons and still do — at almost 32 and 30 years old. They both have made many choices – some worked out and some didn’t. But they both turned out to be responsible, kind, family-oriented young men.
Recently, I was at a family gathering which included one of my sons, his wife and a group of cousins in the same general age group. One of the cousins was talking about his struggle to know just what to do to make his career work out. He was employed but struggling to find his compass. After listening to similar feelings expressed by the others, I spoke up.
Essentially, I said that as long as the choices they made were moral, legal and fit with their personality, not to worry. Making the “one big right decision” didn’t matter. The willingness to make small course corrections along the way would work. Then I said that they would “do just fine.” When I said that they (the group) would be “ok”, there was almost a collective sigh of relief.
I have made my mistakes as a father. But my heart has been (and is) in the right place. I have been willing to make course corrections — and still do. In the end, I think that things will be ok — and, perhaps, once in a while, as they grow older they will even still listen to the “old guy”.