Happy Daddy's Day!

Hi!


Happy Daddy's Day to all of the Dads out there. The Biological kind, the step kind, the adoptive kind, the kind who step in to be that beacon of Dadhood to kids who don't have that in their lives.


This guy, the one in the above pics, is one of the good ones. Our girls have never had to wonder if their Dad was in their corner. They've never had to entertain the thought of rejection from him. They have, since they've taken their first breaths, had the secure knowledge that their Dad would do anything for them.

Does that mean they got a pass with everything? Ummmm, nope.

There were countless discussions about important, and not so important things. They were taught how to change a flat tire, change oil, hang drywall, paint, and defend themselves. They were taught to be kind. They were taught to care, care for themselves, each other, and the community around them. He taught them what hard work looks like. He showed them that they are capable... of anything, and everything.


In a world where women continue to struggle for equality on a very basic level, their Dad helped them to understand their worth. They grew up assuming equality, instilled with the fight to never accept anything less.


Thank you, my Honey, for being such a good Dad to our girls, and such a fun and awesome Grandpa to our Grandbabies!


On a broader note, to those who are struggling or are new to Dadhood.


Just remember this...

There is no such thing as a perfect Dad.

Be the guy you want your child to emulate, the kind of guy you would like to see them walk through life with.

"The talk" beyond the biological, is a myth, it's a series of discussions about self-worth, boundaries, respect, and consent.

Everything you say will be outweighed by everything you do a thousand times over.

Don't ever expect kids to not be kids. In restaurants, on planes, in stores, at weddings... they can't not be kids.

No matter what you've been taught, fear is not respect.

If your little boy wants to play with dolls, wear dresses, watch Barbie movies, for crying out loud, just let them. They need to be who they are, and you need to relax. To make a child feel like they are in some way, somehow, "wrong," makes them feel they have to squelch a part of who they are to be accepted by you. Dangerous road.

If your little girl likes to play with bugs over Barbies, hates dresses, would rather play football than be the cheerleader, again, relax. They need to be who they are.

Instead, be sure they are learning how to walk through their world with kindness, decency, respect, and empathy.  You know, the stuff that actually matters.




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To my Dad, no longer physically here, but here, just the same...


I wish you were here, really here.

I miss your grin, I miss your laugh, I miss your goofiness.

I catch glimpses of you in crowds, in the gate of a stranger's walk, in an Eddie Arnold song, on the faces of my siblings, your grand and great grandkids. I look into the eyes of a specific few and see yours looking back. It makes me catch my breath, but in the best possible way.

Just know parts of you still touch the ground, walking it, enjoying the smell of a good rain, taking care of the animals, forever in search of those elusive, perfect, wild strawberries...


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Until next time...


May you find yourself able to spend time with whoever is the Dad person in your world.
May that time be filled building memories, jokes told, games played, stories, unfurled.

May you celebrate Daddom, whatever that means for you.



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