Fathers

This past weekend was Father’s Day and i found myself reflecting on all the things that make Dad’s great.  I’m fortunate to know some AMAZING Dads out there – including my own – and also to witness that there’s not just one way to be a great Dad.

Sadly, a handful of deadbeat dads give the rest of y’all a bad rap so I wanted to share some of the things that the Dads I know do to make them spectacular.

Sometimes, being a great Dad means doing things:

  • Tea parties and ballet recitals
  • Swim meets and football games
  • Fixing broken toys
  • Financially supporting the family
  • Reading to your children or sharing in their hobbies
  • Treating another man’s child like your own

 Sometimes being a great Dad means feeling things:

  • The heartbreak when your child is hurting and you can’t fix it.
  • The rage when a boy hurts your little girl
  • The confusion about how to reach your child when it seems as though you have nothing in common

Sometimes being a great Dad means saying things:

  • Telling your children you are proud of them
  • Speaking lovingly to their mother
  • Helping them find their words when anger is what your child feels
  • Asking questions to get their child talking

Dads are often our first teachers:

  • Teaching us to ride bikes and hit balls
  • Teaching us how to love without fear
  • Teaching us that no matter who’s job it is, if it needs doing, get it done
  • Teaching us that it’s ok to make mistakes and we don’t have to be perfect to be lovable.
  • Teaching us to be curious
  • Teaching us that no matter how dark life seems, you can always find your way back to the light
  • Teaching us that we don’t ever have to be alone because there are people in this world we can count on… no matter how few and far between they may seem.

Thank you to all the dads for being great cheerleaders, tea party guests, inspirers of thought, lovers of play.  The role as a Dad is one of the most important jobs you’ll ever have.  Luckily, it’s likely the most rewarding because you get out of it what you put in.

Happy belated Father’s Day to those I know and adore.  Y’all are amazing Dads and I don’t know that you can ever hear that enough.

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