Your dad is a very special person. It was something that I did not really have in my life. My father passed away when I was 14 and had been sick and bed ridden from the time I was about 5 or 6 years old. There was no ball playing or him attending any of the activities I was involved in. In fact there were very few activities for me. My time was spent as a young person when not in school as a caretaker and a baby sitter, even when I was very young.
Having said all of that though, and after watching the reports on TV about the passing of Tim Russert there are a couple of thoughts that come to mind. I hear too many children of all ages, including Tim, that report that their dad was not one to tell their children that they love them, to actually use those words. I have that memory too. Now I am not sure how true it is, but I would think that my own children would probably say that too. As a dad I am going to make a commitment to myself to not just demonstrate love in what and how I do things with the kids, but actually say the words – not in passing – but in a meaningful way, often.
Fathers Day is a special day for telling dad you love him, but maybe it can be a day for dad to think about how we as fathers interact with our loved ones and especially our children. HAPPY FATHERS DAY!
2 Replies to “Fathers Day thought”
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I just want to say thank you so much for the honesty of your Father’s Day message. Your message revealed to me another benefit of honesty: that sometimes through revealing something about ourselves, especially the pain and imperfections, we sometimes offer healing to others who now know they are not alone. “Ring the bells that still can ring; Forget the perfect offering; There is a crack in everything; That’s how the light gets in.”
Joe – Thanks for the truly memorable and meaningful Father’s Day commentary. The abrupt passing of Tim Russert unleashed slew of thoughts and feelings within me about my relationships with my children and my dad. Your offering helped me to focus beyond worries and regrets and onto what really matters — what should matter — to all fathers.