Father's Day story... And acknowledgement.

[Joe Duder]

I'm a father married to my children's mother. I love them very much, I'm truly blessed. They made and always make my Father's Day special.


I saw something today that hit a nerve, so I thought I'd share it with you guys and girls...


I live in a regular track home type community. All our houses are close to one another. My neighbor (I'll refer to him as Bill) that lives across from me, lives with his fiancé and her two children from two different men. I can tell by the way Bill picks them up when they fall, the way he coaches them while they play, the conversations he has and the manner that he has them (with these kids), and the way he refers to them in conversations him and I have, that he truly loves them as if they are his own. They are a nice display of life, to witness outside my front window.


I don't know how often the children's birth fathers pick them up, I hardly ever see the kids gone for a weekend. But this morning while they were playing curb basketball with Bill, one by one, both the fathers picked up their kids and took them for Father's Day. As the last father picked up the last kid, Bill just kind of sadly waved goodbye. With the basketball in one arm and his head hung low, he walked towards his house. This is what struck a nerve.


I never really think about my neighbors feelings. He/they are always having fun, living life right outside my front window. But being a father of two, weather they're mine or not( Doesn't matter, if I'm raising them and molding them into a man or a women, that is being a father IMHO.), that would smart like a hot dagger to have some guy that hardly ever comes around to see his kids, get to take them on the day that I should have them. This is my opinion.


So, if you are raising your own kids: Happy Father's Day.


If your a single mother: I respect your strength in having to be both father and mother. Happy Father's Day.

If you don't live with your kids, but pay child support and are doing everything in your power to be the best father you can be under your circumstances: Happy Father's Day.


If you are raising kids that aren't yours: From one father to another, my hat is off to you. I commend your patience and willingness to do a hard job that never ends. Keep it up. Happy Father's Day.

 

[MikeH]

I have drafted a couple of replies to your post, but deleted them because they were just too personal. However, let me say as an adoptive dad of a daughter (adopted at age 4 1/2) from a very disfunctional background who has had the "sperm donor" (I won't say father) to show up when she was 21 and immediately start pushing her to call him and his wife mom and dad, that over time the kids will come to know who is the real "daddy".

The guy you describe will get his rewards, even if they are not in the form of father's day recognition. He sounds like a person of character and dignity.

 

[willseeyalater]

When you see someone who is doing good be sure to tell them......simple little thing like that can keep someone on the straight and narrow. You don't have to gush or be fancy but maybe next time you see him tell him you see him being a good dad to the kids and you know he is the real deal.