The running joke in my house is that the unofficial name for Father’s Day is National Socks, Ties, and Underwear Day, because that is what we get for fathers. You know it is true. Go into any Walmart or Target on the Saturday before Father’s Day and the long line of mothers and children with their carts full of those items. Now, if the family is feeling ambitious, they will buy their dad tools which are usually followed by a list on Monday of all the things that need to be fixed. I would like to ask this question. On Mother’s Day if gave a vacuum cleaner or better yet a gym membership, what do you think the response would be? So, if you are reading this and you are shopping for that special father but the screwdriver and mini drill down (LOL)!
Of course I am just trying to be funny, because the truth is whatever you give us on that day is not as great a gift as being a father. It took me a long time to realize what that role truly means. I first became a father at age 24. I was not mature enough to understand what that role and responsibility required. I could use the excuse of not having a father teach me (and I did try to use that excuse) but that is not a reason to not honor your responsibilities. The first 3-4 years of my oldest daughter’s life I wasn’t the best example of what a parent was supposed to be. But I will tell you that she saved me. When the rent was behind and the shut off notice for the gas and electricity where on the kitchen table and my four-year-old asked me how I was going to fix this is the day I became her father. I got a second and third job and I went to Berkshire Community College and applied for the nursing program and in 1995 I became a registered nurse.
I will tell you that it was much harder than what I just wrote. It’s not like the movies where people fix their lives in 2 hours. I had ups and downs and everything in between, but my daughter was my driving force. Her mom and I didn’t make it as husband and wife, but we worked to be better parents. The lessons I learned prepared me for my current marriage and my two other amazing children. I have been blessed to be given so many chances to be a better person because I am human and sometimes, I can make poor choices but the best gifts I have been given in my life are named Cassandra, Dakota, and BBOY Ant-One (Anthony).
Every day is Father’s Day for me. I work hard every day so that my kids can have the opportunity to be successful. I want to give to them what my mother gave to me a love that was unconditional, wisdom that got me through the hard times, and her ability to call me out on my BS.
Cassandra, Dakota, and Anthony, thank you for making me a proud father that is worth more than any amount of socks and ties you could buy me.
“My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person: he believed in me.” — Jim Valvano
I Believe in all of you.
Dad
Dignity Freedom Fighter 