Yesterday was Father’s Day. On Father’s Day we celebrate all of the fathers in our lives. Our fathers, stepfathers, father figures, fathers-in-law, grandfathers, uncles, fathers-to-be, furbaby daddies, single fathers, and then some. Taking a look at the fathers in my life, I have to say I’m a very lucky woman. Why am I so lucky? Let me explain …
Let’s talk about my father figure …
My parents divorced when I was in the 3rd/4th grade. [I honestly do not remember which, but I know it was around that time.] My sister and I are lucky enough to have an amazing father who always wanted to be involved in our lives. We never once felt that he didn’t want to be there. I never felt like we were a bother or an afterthought to him. My sister and I always felt loved. My dad was always there for us. And (thank the big man upstairs) he is still there for us now. Like I said, we’re very lucky.
Some kids out there aren’t that lucky.
Let’s talk about Emily’s father figure …
Another reason that I’m so lucky …
December 2014, I gave birth to (in my mind) the most beautiful baby girl in existence. The first person to hold her (besides my doctors, nurses, and pediatric staff) was her daddy. My husband. He and I have said since that moment that she is the best thing we have ever done. She is the best part of us. Nowadays she looks like her daddy, but she is all me. And since the day she was born, her daddy has always been there. He loves her more than anything in this world. My husband has said that he couldn’t even fathom being away from her. He loves spending time with her. Whether they are coloring, playing, mowing the lawn, fishing, or just sitting on the couch together … it doesn’t matter. Being with his daughter is one of my husband’s favorite things.
Again, some kids out there aren’t that lucky.
I’ve always known a loving father, so will my daughter. But what about the kids who didn’t, or won’t? What about the kids whose fathers abandon them? Barely spend any time with them at all? Don’t care? Aren’t there? Have never been there? What about those kids?
Who do they turn to on Father’s Day?
This brings me to the unsung heroes of Father’s Day … single mothers. Mothers who bust their asses to be both parents for their kids. They are mother and father. They teach their children everything that they need to know without any help from another parent. They go above and beyond to be both parents for their kids. That way their kids never know what they’re missing. Showing their kids what a parent is supposed to be. Showing them nothing but love, so they always know they are loved.
To all of the single mothers out there, Happy Father’s Day to you! Thank you for taking care of your children and never letting them know anything but love. Thank you for always being there. When they are young, they may not fully understand the love and commitment that you show to them. But when they are older and look back on the amazing childhood that you gave them and all that you have sacrificed for them, they will know what love really is. From one mother to another … thank you.
***This post contains opinions that are my own. I do not wish to say anything negative against anyone … just praise the single mothers out there for the amazing work they do. I know there are families who might have two mothers, and they deserved to be praised as well. But this is praising the families who had fathers that left or never really had fathers at all. Thanks.***
