From the Editor
Fatherhood is not for the faint of heart. I will never forget the image of my husband standing in the ultrasound room holding our young toddler, when the doctor announced our second baby wasn’t a baby, but rather babies. Yes… twins! I was truly afraid he was going to faint.
Once the twins were born, Bob and I had three children under the age of 2, “Irish triplets,” as we fondly referred to them. Between diapers, feedings and bathing, it was all hands on deck, for a long time!
Those early years passed quickly though and before we knew it, we were enjoying family outings and often implementing a “divide and conquer” strategy to parenthood. ” You take this one here while I take these two there,” we’d often say to one another.
It still stops me in my tracks to think those twins are now the age Bob was when he became a dad. I suppose John Lennon said it best in his “Beautiful Boy” lyrics; “Life is what happens to you while you are busy making other plans.” And raising children will certainly keep you busy!
I was a stay-at-home mom when the kids were young. Bob worked full time, yet never missed a beat. He was home for dinner every night and would instantly roll up his sleeves and jump in to play with the kids or change a diaper or head to the beach with us. Most, if not all, of his personal interests or hobbies were put on a back burner during those years.
Father’s Day is a tribute to all those busy dads who sacrifice and prioritize their kids ahead of all else. Somehow they manage to bring home a paycheck, fix whatever needs to be fixed, and keep their children safe.
What truly makes a dad great though? Usually it is not one heroic moment or grand occasion, but rather it is all the daily moments and connections that are woven together to form years, even decades of love and commitment.
Every family has a different story and has its own unique combination of strengths and challenges. Like everyone else, sometimes dads falter. They can be confused, uncertain, and make mistakes. Yet despite their faults, real dads love their children and do the best they can, day in and day out. Sometimes a Mom has to take on the role of Dad too. These Super Moms deserve our highest respect, because I know that is not easy.
I’ve been blessed. I grew up with a great dad and my children also had a wonderful dad. Growing up in the early ’70s, my father was a good provider. He also never missed a family vacation or school event. He told great stories and was playful by nature. My parents had a clear division of roles. I knew from an early age that the buck stopped with my dad. If things got too out of hand or it became too much for my mom, my dad would be called in to settle it. I can still hear my mom saying “I’m telling your father.” That never failed to straightened my brothers and I up, real fast!
A father’s love shows up in many ways over the course of a lifetime. Fathers offer support and stability as kids navigate the often bumpy road toward adulthood. One of the coolest things about my dad was seeing him become a pop-pop to my kids. He showered them with love and attention, offering them unique experiences and perspectives as they grew. When my son was diagnosed with autism, my Dad rose to the challenge heroically, even relocating to be closer so he could lend a hand. Although my son had limited verbal skills, that didn’t stop my dad from finding a way to bond with him. For years, my dad would pick up Jamie from school every Friday afternoon to go out for pizza. He was a very special pop-pop.
We hope all the dads in your life have a very Happy Father’s Day, filled with love and gratitude.
Peace & Love,
Cindy
