I cannot listen to songs about Daddy’s or Father songs, they make me cry. I loved my Dad and I know he loved me, but after age 8 or so, he seemed to lose interest or maybe he didn’t know how to show interest. I’m not sure which; however, it was a lonely feeling none the less.
Sometimes, when those moments hit me, I wonder if my sisters feel the same from time to time. It’d be interesting to hear their perspective.
This isn’t something I dwell on constantly, but when a song comes on the radio or I see someone with their Dad, it hits home.
My oldest son’s father really dropped the ball on the ‘fatherly’ thing. I never thought he would, not in a million years, but he did. It was very disappointing to me and I know it was to my son. We both had to accept that you cannot change people and you have to keep going and make the best of things. Luckily, he has a great step-dad, who was/is a wonderful example of what a father should do, say and teach you.
I think, sometimes, the importance of having a strong father figure is underestimated. I believe having a dad who wants to participate in your sporting events, or is front and center watching you in a musical performance, or is excited to teach you to drive instills confidence and reassurance that there will always be a safety net, that no matter what, you can try it and hell, if you fail, it’ll be OK.
Without that, the possibility of failure feels more serious, more of a chore and a lonely place. I pray that none of my three children ever feel that way. I want them to know that no matter what they do, they will have parents who will be there either cheering them on, encouraging them to try again or helping them get back up.
My husband’s father is exceptional. He’s the never faltering, solid rock who always remembers to check-in with his kids, tells them he loves them, encourages them, and is the first one telling them something is dangerous or ‘bullshit’ in hopes of keeping them safe and out of harms way. I’m constantly reminding my husband that he’s lucky to have such a great dad who cares so much about what he’s doing all the time. Not that he needs reminding, he knows, and he appreciates his dad. He’s just like his dad in that respect. He’s the never faltering, solid rock that our boys know they can count on… and because of the incredible example he had, he ROCKS at it!
Songs like Conway Twittys’
That’s My Job, or Randy Travis
A Love Without End, Amen get me every dang time. They bring back an empty feeling – a “something’s missing” feeling.
Single-parenting can certainly produce exceptional people, but there’s so much to be said about raising kids in a family where both parents are present and constantly contributing to raising their children.
I pray my children make a ‘one and done’ choice when they are ready to get married and have children and above all, that they are happy and their children don’t feel like pieces are missing…
