Fathers

I awoke with a deeper vision and realization of what being a father is all about.

Most of us will spend time with our kids, take a day off from our trials and tribulations of daily life, and sit back and enjoy our favorite activity and leisure time. I chose today to do something different with my title in hand.

To me a father is more than a parent. He is a dad, a friend, a man, a partner, a leader, a teacher, a symbol, a provider, and a model. Being a father is an awesome responsibility if you really think about it. At some point in time in our lives we made the choice to become something more than who we are as men. We decided to bring a life into this world, under our stead and care, and become a parent. Seems simple enough in the outset right?

Well....

To me a father is more then just being the provider and caretaker for a child or children as the case may be. Being a father is knowing that who you are as a person sets the model for who your son will be as man later in life. A hallmark for what qualities your daughter will look for in a mate. For better or worse you are a person of substantial influence in the lives of those under your care. You are the man that at times seems larger than life and intimidating. You are the force to be reckoned with when someone is in trouble and in need of re-direction. You are the "law" as the patriarch of your domain; well co- "law" giver in a partnership. You are the captain of the ship in the troubled seas of our society and world at large.

As a dad you are that person who hugs them daily, plays with their toys, and makes funny faces at them when they are in need of a laugh or are feeling blue. You are that welcoming presence that they can come to no matter what is going on. You are that safe place where they can rest easy away from the world. You are the gentle hand that picks them up when they fall and brushes them off, setting them upright and ready for another try. You are the steady balance on the back of the bike seat as they peddle away whole heartedly, not realizing you are still running along just behind.You are the teary eyed, smiley faced recipient of all the macaroni art, socks, ties, slippers, and expressions of their hearts.

And long after they have grown up and ventured out into the world you are still there with them every step of the way. You are the little voice in their heads as they contemplate life choices that helps them go down the right path. You are the encouraging push they may need when life is tough and getting them down. You are the strength inside next to their own sense of self that carries them through. If luck should have it you are the giver of loud annoying toys as a grandfather when they have gone off and created families of their own. You are the voice on the phone when they too have questions about their own kids. You are the person who says "you were like that when you were young" as they share their daily experiences of parenting.

So today , and every day forward I chose to take a humbler approach and honor those who make us that very person. It is we who should be thankful for the gift of those who grant us that title and make us more then simple men.