All weekend and this week I’ve been thinking about the impact of a father. You know there’s always the stereotypical way we think of and appreciate fathers as being the head of the family, traditionally the financial leader, the protector, and the disciplinarian that puts you in line right quick (at least in my case because I was homeschooled so I got disciplined by mom all the time… I mean it wasn’t fun but it didn’t make me shake in my boots like the warning words: “I just called Dad and told him what’s going on and he’s coming home from work.” Those words meant either my brother or I officially took it too far and my poor mom needed backup.)
So there’s all that stuff we love and appreciate fathers for but what about everything else they do, particularly those things they do quietly in the background? What about those moments that we notice in passing and never thought about again? Traditionally moms get the majority of everyone’s recognition, as they rightfully should, for the day in and day out sacrificial life they lead and even the fact that they undergo physical trauma just to land the hardest, unpaid job anyone could ever undertake. Obviously I realize that things are very different this day and age as far as working parents/dual incomes/stay at home dads/successful career women and I know I’m very old-fashioned but so be it. That’s how I grew up. Traditionally Dads undertook the financial responsibility of protector and provider which naturally means he’s working while Mom gets the glorious job of taking her 6 year old kid back to Kinko’s to return stolen paperclips and pens to the manager with an apology and a learned lesson about stealing (yep, me – guilty). However, I’ve been reflecting on all the lessons/impact moments Dads impart that go thankless because they aren’t realized until years later, or maybe even never.
So, this year I wanted to take the opportunity to honor my Dad along with the launch of this blog which, as you can see, is in its infancy stages. That will all be worked out soon but for now, bear with me! I’m so thankful for the three amazing friends who jumped in at the last minute this weekend to help me get this site launched today after the person I hired to build this post the way I wanted, cancelled at the last minute.
I hope all of you enjoy reading these letters as much as I did! Happy Father’s Day to all of the dads out there!
