“Remember your father for the man he was, not necessarily for what he is today”
Sunday AM at the Casa; we’ve already rousted dad to let us outside, and we’ve now brought the remnants of dew and grit back to the bed. Max and I are sprawled out across our rightful territories, Mia, Angel and Echo waiting outside for everything to settle back down before demanding that dad get to be let them back in; the I want to go back out, and the cycle continues.
Today is the day that we honor an institution that the media would have us believe is unnecessary and archaic:
Fatherhood.
Think about it; for years now, commercials have portrayed dad as a bumbling, ineffective goober incapable of walking through a door without bumping his head, sitcoms always featuring dear old dad as the oversexed, undermotivated buffoon sprawled out on the sofa, and the news shows always seem to manage to have at least one segment where a father is unfaithful, conniving, even downright murderous.
Have they ever considered that people, regardless of gender, become what they are continuously told that they are?
One of the messages of this page is that we all matter, and we all make a difference, and that includes dads. Not just the sperm donors, but the real “dads” who’s primary reason for existing is to ease their children’s passage through the different phases of life; it’s these dad’s that more acutely feel the sting of rejection when it comes time for the kids to move on, even though they know it’s all part of the cycle.
So then, after approximately twenty years of constant interaction, just like that, dad has to find a new focus of his energy; many see this as a “midlife crisis”, I see it as a temporary struggle to find a new place and purpose in the world.
A true “dad” is a faithful servant, and voluntary servitude based on love is a very hard habit to break; consider this when dad, or mom for that matter, has a difficult time letting go.
So here’s to the real dads out there, making the sometimes difficult transition from young and vital to “what’s next?”; may they always be remembered and cherished as they should be, as what they were, what they are, and where they’re going.
It’s all about the journey, not just the destination.
And in case you’re wondering, the above picture is of a another father that we met atop the Capulin volcano in northern New Mexico; a man also on a journey of rediscovery, an awesome story for another time.
Happy Fathers Day, dad..
Happy Father’s day!!
Happy daddy’s day!
Happy Father’s Day! I have gotten lucky and God led me to a man who not only loves his own, but the other two that were here before he arrived in our lives. He took over where their sperm donors left off and is the only dad either has ever known. We all think he is pretty special!
That’s what I’m talking about!
As always, Charlie you say things well. Indeed, Happy Fathers Day to all dads. Enjoy your day and know you are loved
Happy Father’s Day!
If you had a longer beard, you guys would look like twins!
Echo’s home this weekend? Yay!!
happy fathers day “dad”!!! from Charlie and all the other inmates you’ve saved/had over the years. you are so very loved!!
Your one of the good guys, Charlie’s Dad. Happy Fathers Day.
I have no idea why this pic keeps flipping upside down; maybe it’s more appropriate that way…
Well, Happy Father’s Day to you both anyway! 🙂
I thought it was intentional. 🙂
Very simple, turn the phone over. Happy Father’s Day, Dad!!!!
Well it’s my belief we all know what purpose dad has in his life. Number one to make sure you Charlie, have everything your little heart desires. Number two…to inspire all of us to do the best we can and to put smiles on the faces of people he’s never met, to put love in the hearts of people he’s never met…..well done dad ….well done! Happy Father’s Day!