Read a great quote this morning: "We carry adolescence around in our bodies all our lives. We get through the Car Crash Age alive and cruise through our early twenties as cool dudes, wily, dashing, winsome . . . shooting baskets, the breeze, the moon, and then we try to become caring men, good husbands, great fathers, good citizens." This really speaks to me. At 37 I think I'm at the edge of that part where I still like to think I'm cool but now my big priorities are all the ones mentioned here. When I reset my priorities for life over Christmas 07 the three I listed were great husband, great father and leader in the community.
For me Father's Day raises a bunch of conflicting emotions. Is it about me or about my Dad? Is it my day as everyone points out or should I spend it with my children? Friends I know choose to have it as their day and have nothing to do with the children. They go play golf or enjoy other pursuits of their own interest. Personally I like to take a bit of time for myself to relax but really I want to spend it with the kids. That's just me though. I'm on the end of the spectrum that gives up almost everything for the kids. With my daughter now being seven I find I'm very aware that the window will close one day where all she wants to do is be with me. So this morning I'm going to take the kids to the park.
Some interesting links:
http://www.menshealth.com/cda/article.do?site=MensHealth&channel=guy.wisdom&category=family.guy&conitem=65f2313965a85110VgnVCM10000013281eac____
http://www.menshealth.com/cda/article.do?site=MensHealth&channel=guy.wisdom&category=family.guy&conitem=f8e4d875790e9110VgnVCM20000012281eac____
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I'd say you have your priorities straight in the area of fatherhood and you are well on your way to accomplishing your goals for 2009.
ReplyDeleteIt is a different thing for someone who has never been a father. Having no children,we always honour our own parents on such days while celebrating in spirit all the fathers we know and don't know. It is a different sort of legacy that we have instilled, but one we cherish just as much as if we were "real" parents!
Happy Father's Day!