I wrote this poem a while back, and thought I'd share it today:
A FATHER'S GREAT LOVE
What father would would not seek and find a lost child
And leave him to wander alone?
What father would not do all that he could do
To care for and cover his own?
What father would not give the best that he has
Without thinking twice of the cost?
What father would shower affection without care
And leave lacking who needs him most?
A father is one whose love
Is made out of Love
He's present, in spite of where or when
It is the perfect example of God in the Earth
A father's great love for his children
What father would look upon one whose young face
So mirrors and speaks of his own
And not feel the anguish when life starts to make
A claim on all he's ever known?
What father would not rather lose all he has
Than be absent at each day's close?
What father would not work with all of his strength
To make straight the path a child goes?
A father is one whose love
Is made out of Love
He's present in spite of where or when
He'll sacrifice all; give the best that he has
In hopes to make all right again
To every man, you once were a child
Now your child needs protection and care
It is the perfect example of God in the earth
A father's great love for his children.
Happy Fathers' Day, gentlemen.
A FATHER'S GREAT LOVE
What father would would not seek and find a lost child
And leave him to wander alone?
What father would not do all that he could do
To care for and cover his own?
What father would not give the best that he has
Without thinking twice of the cost?
What father would shower affection without care
And leave lacking who needs him most?
A father is one whose love
Is made out of Love
He's present, in spite of where or when
It is the perfect example of God in the Earth
A father's great love for his children
What father would look upon one whose young face
So mirrors and speaks of his own
And not feel the anguish when life starts to make
A claim on all he's ever known?
What father would not rather lose all he has
Than be absent at each day's close?
What father would not work with all of his strength
To make straight the path a child goes?
A father is one whose love
Is made out of Love
He's present in spite of where or when
He'll sacrifice all; give the best that he has
In hopes to make all right again
To every man, you once were a child
Now your child needs protection and care
It is the perfect example of God in the earth
A father's great love for his children.
Just keep smiling.
I know.
I know.
Some of you are pondering about brunches, flowers, dinners, concerts, cruises, and special programs that are lavished upon mothers.
You're looking sideways at the goofy ties and handmade cards.
Maybe you're wondering why the church's folding chairs never crowd the aisles the third Sunday in June.
Where are the makeshift vendor stands on the corners where entrepreneurs hawk roses, carnations, perfume, stuffed animals, and Katydids? (Tell the truth. Do you even WANT that stuff?)
You know whether this day will be spent in joy, truth, and sincerity, or clouded by secrets, disrespect, and regret.
Some of you will be celebrated like the mighty, protector, warrior kings you are.
In the eyes of your families and communities you're superheroes. Keep up the good work.
For others of you, even today, there will be NO moratorium on designating you everything from "sperm donors" to "rolling stones" to "deadbeats", to "baby daddies"--not deserving of compliments, gifts, cards, dinners, let alone a phone call.
Maybe next year will be better, but this year, some facetious, sarcastic, even bitter person is going to send the Fathers' Day greeting you should be getting to your ex-wife, baby mama, or ex-girlfriend.
Perhaps you haven't stepped up to the plate.
Perhaps you don't know, or are in denial that there's even a plate to step up TO.
Perhaps you haven't been allowed.
Perhaps you're not aware of your rights, the law, and what steps and support is available to you to help you assume your place in the life of your child.
The calendar, however says this is your day.
In this "Maury-DNA doesn't lie-I'm-2000-percent-sure-you ARE/you-are-NO-the-father" era, just how anticipated and happy is Fathers' Day these days?
I've spent the last few months working at one of the elementary schools in my neighborhood.
In this "Maury-DNA doesn't lie-I'm-2000-percent-sure-you ARE/you-are-NO-the-father" era, just how anticipated and happy is Fathers' Day these days?
I've spent the last few months working at one of the elementary schools in my neighborhood.
It is painfully, shamefully obvious how desperately children need their fathers to not only be consistently present, but to be wise, mature, and loving examples. Quality time, however, is valuable as well as monetary contributions, and should never be minimized.
Little boys, especially, need to witness responsible, moral, trustworthy, smart men, and so, I applauded the presence of strong, dedicated, male teachers who gladly served as mentors.
I cherish these photos of my great-grandfather, grandfather, and father.
My Dad, a man of strong convictions, who has been a mentor to many, says a lot of things, but particular sentiments have resonated as my assignment comes to an end this week:
"My Mama told me, "A child needs a father and a mother." Children don't ASK to come here."
"I had to realize that people do the best that they know how. If you don't have anybody to show you, how are you going to know what's right?"
"You can't lead where you don't go. You can't teach what you don't know...I looked at my father, then I looked at his father-- and then I understood."
"My Mama told me, "A child needs a father and a mother." Children don't ASK to come here."
"I had to realize that people do the best that they know how. If you don't have anybody to show you, how are you going to know what's right?"
"You can't lead where you don't go. You can't teach what you don't know...I looked at my father, then I looked at his father-- and then I understood."
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