People assume the worst about single fathers. Granted, I do know a few single fathers who are dead beats, and who do not contribute to the raising of their child. That being said, I have also met some mothers who are just as bad. My Mother, for instance, was in and out of my childhood life, and only chose to try and be a mother when all of the hard work was done. This story is familiar among single mothers who raised their kid(s) alone, but not so much with single fathers. I would like to take the time to recognize one of those single fathers who did stick around.
My Father was a "do it all" Dad for a long time. Alone, and left to take care of his children without the help of a significant other, I know my father did his best. My Mother left us when I was very young. My brother and I stayed with my Dad. I do not know all of the reasons why my mother left, as I was a baby when this happened. I do know that as I got older, my mother never stayed in one place for very long. Always moving from town to town, and guy to guy. I imagine this played a big role in her choice to leave us, but I never could understand how somebody could just leave their kids. My father made a point to not let this affect his kids happiness though.
I remember being so proud to have my Dad around when I was a child. I'm a grown man now, and my Father is still my hero. I cannot remember a time when I was playing a sport, and my Dad was not there to either coach me, or cheer me on. Through my whole life, he always made sure he was there for me. My father was not, and still is not good at expressing emotions. His way of showing love was to be involved in his children's life in any way he could.
My father did not have an easy life, and my brother and I did not take time out of our childhood to ensure that he would get any sort of relief from the struggles of single parenting. My father never complained though. He is the sort of man that handles his problems without emotion. He's a rock that cannot be broken. Even though he doesn't enjoy sharing his own feelings, he was, and still is always there to listen. In times of doubt, despair, sadness, or joy, I can always count on my father to lend me his ear.
I have a tremendous amount of respect for this man. Not only because he stood up and chose to be a father to his children, but because he did such a great job, and he always did his best. I know my father struggled to make ends meet, but he always succeeded in making sure we had food on the table, and a place to call home. My brother and I always knew that our father would be there when we got home. We never had any suspicion that our father would not be able pick us up from day care, or that we would not have the latest toys for Christmas. He always made sure that we were taken care of, and that we knew he loved us. He has taught me so many great lessons in life. I too, am single father, and because of the role model I've had in my life, I have been able to be a great single father to my child.
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