June 20, 2021 the 171st day of 2021
Father's Day
Dads are such an important part of children's lives. I had two of them.... View MoreJune 20, 2021 the 171st day of 2021
Father's Day
Dads are such an important part of children's lives. I had two of them.
My first dad died when I was 9. I remember him most through family movies, even when he was behind the camera because I look at the way my child self looked at him.
Dad was our historian, taking colored movies when most people were barely taking pictures--and they were black and white in the beginning.
I couldn't remember him much, flashes of this or that, but mostly what I was told about him. But my captured live-action looks at him--inquisitively shows he mattered to me. And me talking to him as he recorded--though silent film--spoke volumes to me.
My parents had issues and we had a large family. It was confusing and hectic sometimes. I question some of what I was told about thaf time because my little face didn't lie. He was my dad and I loved him. I also respected him. I looked to him for direction. Though he wasn't with me long he had an impact, probably more than I realized.
My mom remarried when I was around 12. And I was so excited to have a dad again. And though he was totally different, he was dad. And then mom got pregnant and gave us another sister. It was all so wonderful! I loved being a complete family again.
But they had issues with dad working so far away, being gone so much. He couldn't be there for everything and if he was, he was usually late. But his care, concern and love was evident. He married a young widow with 8 children in her early 30's. And he took us on like a champ. He did not force himself on us or say we had to love him or call him dad if we didn't want to. But we wanted to almast instantly.
And when Karen came along you could tell his heart was overflowing with love for her. He was so proud. He recorded almost every moment of her life he could. But he still loved us and made sure we knew it. He didn't want any jealousy to develop.
Sometimes I think he tried too hard. We all had our babyhood to be that new baby. Trying to make sure everyone still felt special to him took some of the babyhood Karen should have had all to herself. But with 8 siblings, hopefully our crazy love made up for it a bit, though nothing beats being daddy's girl. And she was daddy's girl even being our girl as well.
Dads take so much grief. They are expected to work long hours and still show up for events or feel a failure. They are spread too thin, and they don't complain. They just keep plodding along--being faithful to family and getting the short end of the stick.
But when a man goes from being a father to a dad, nothing beats it in his life. I have seen it on their faces. And I appreciate their sacrifices. And so does God!
I lost both my dads, but I was blessed to have them!
Stay strong! Hug your dad if you still have him and thank him! Dads go unappreciated far too often!
NAN
