Well time is marching on, and the year is almost half way through. Today we celebrate our dad’s. The dad’s who made us, cared for us. The men who step up and are a dad, dad’s of fur babies, step dad’s, grand dads and the list goes on. Us moms get so much attention for our day; diamonds and breakfast in bed, flowers and hugs. Dad’s get grills and breakfast and sporting equipment. We get lost in the material gifts and we forget about the simple gift of time.
Now dont get me wrong, I love to get gifts. And gifts that want to be given from the heart. But the gift of time means so much. To think about memories of growing up, to look at your parents and then look at yourself as a parent. To look at your kids with the same eyes that your parents probably looked at you. Dads aren’t always quite as mushy as we moms are. But sometimes it is ok to show that mushy side.
I have been a single parent for almost 17 years. And alot of people do say to single moms happy father’s day. I guess I have thought about that alot today. I didnt fill the shoes of a dad. I was a mom that just works overtime. The male influence hasnt been in our family of 3 in a long time. I can’t fill the shoes of a dad, I have loved and provided with everything I am, but I am not a dad. I haven’t been able to show my son how to fish or fix things, taken my daughter to a daddy daughter dance. I haven’t had a father’s love to show.
I read the statistics and worry the effect of growing up in a home without a father. I am choosing to believe my family will be more than a statistic. That my kids will not be harmed by not growing up with a dad. That they know I loved them with all I had and cheered as loud as a 2 parent family.
Family relationships can be so simple and yet so hard. Not everyone has had the chance for both parents to stay married and that kids have a healthy relationship with their parents. There is so much joy in life but also so much hurt and regrets. Maybe that is why we should look at these holidays as a way to reset how we look at the person we are celebrating. Sometimes we see our mom or dad in that only role. Perhaps we look through a different lens and choose to look at the person they are, the shared memories and pray for the chance to make one more memory.
So as another holiday is done and July 4th is on the horizon, maybe we take the time to celebrate our dads everyday. Maybe if we celebrated every holiday every day. New years day– a chance to start new everyday. Valentine’s day we show love everyday. St. Pateick’s day– well we best not drink everyday and we can’t wear green everyday but we can celebrate the luck of life. Easter, a time for reflection and hope in everyday. Mother’s day, we celebrate our moms daily with time spent with them and let them know they are loved.Memorial day, that we honor those that gave the ultimate sacrifice and we honor them daily. Father’s day, we show the dads in our lives how much they mean on a daily basis. July 4th, the sense of patriotism in every day. Labor day, that we are thankful for our careers but we realize everyone needs to rest at times. Veterans day, that we thank those who have served, serving or will serve– to always let them know we are so thankful and proud of them everyday. Thanksgiving, may we have a sense of blessings and thankfulness everyday. Christmas should have us see the world with excitement and wonder and focus on the good in our lives and have a twinkle in our eyes. Maybe if we felt a little of that each day, well the negativity of this old world would have less of a chance to drag us down.
So hope you each had a great Father’s day and loved on the dads in your life! I got to spend some precious time with my dad and for that I am thankful. But now after a birthday, graduation and father’s day, this girl has to buckle back.down on WW again!