Father knows best

Sometimes I play defense.

Fathers’ Day (FD) is one of those instances. With Dad gone over thirty years and no children of my own, it is emotionally helpful to ignore the day. Someone posted on their Facebook profile a video showing a cross section of a father’s investment in his children and I made the mistake of watching. People who know me well will know the weepy result.

Last year, I got to see an uplifting amateur dance recital just before FD and I enjoyed a young lad’s off-tempo enthusiasm and mused about what a parent may feel (click here). This year, work obligations prevented me from returning to the show, but I heard that it was equally successful with talented exhibition and earnest child efforts.

This year, I’ve spent the week leading up to FD hosting students and alumni, stressing through a board meeting, captaining a golf outing, more meetings with students, and investing in the local economy by upgrading the mechanics here at the farm. Tomorrow, I get to host a bachelor party (golf and steak – nothing that would keep any of us off the Supreme Court). I guess I’m keeping busy and distracted.

My “no whining meter” is beeping. Sorry.

According to the National Fatherhood Initiative website, one in three children in our country live in a home without the biological father – that’s 24 million children. They cite statistics about children in these environs having increased incarceration rates, more emotional and behavioral problems, increases in poverty, teen pregnancy, involvement in crime, obesity, substance abuse, etc. It is a startling website (http://www.fatherhood.org/father-absence-statistics).

Although I’m looking across the fence at some pretty green grass, I’m pretty sure that being a father is a magnificent experience. It makes no sense that so many children do not have two parents in their lives. My interactions with students give me enough of a taste of offering guidance and support to young people that I would like to let all of those absent parents know what they are missing.

Happy Fathers’ Day to my friends – hug your Pop.





Photo reported to be in the public domain and available here: Link