Sunday, June 19, 2011

Boy in the Mirror: Celebrating Fathers Who Create a Positive Reflection

Happy Father's Day! It is a sentiment that I have rarely had a chance to express to my own father. He was in and out of my life for many years and when he was in my life, it felt strange to say it. Happy Father's Day seems like a special statement to be reserved for the most special fathers, you know, the ones who were around to change diapers, wipe tears, give great advice, lecture that boy taking me out on my first date,  and walk me down the aisle during my wedding.

Growing up, I was raised by 2 great mothers so I really didn't give fatherhood much thought. Now that I am raising 3 boys and there is a daddy in the house, I finally have a true understanding of the importance of  a father in the home. I have learned by watching my boys interact with their father. When they look at him, mirrored to them is a larger version of themselves. They see the man that they will one day become. They think that he is powerful, that he has all the answers and that he can do anything that he wants to do. If he makes any promise, big or small, they expect that he can and will be a man of his word. It really is an awesome responsibility.

With very little frame of reference, I often wonder how best to celebrate father's day. This year, I decided on the personal touch. I want my sons to have fond memories of Father's day and I want their dad to have mementos of each Father's day so I bought a canvas, paint and a frame and the boys got their hands messy and colorful and made fingerprints on the canvas. It is quite a challenge to get a 2 and 3 year old to make a neat hand print. Our 6 year old is an artist, so he was all about getting the perfect hand print. We then framed it, along with a favorite photo and presented it to daddy this morning.

We are not bound by our past. Every day is another opportunity to redefine ourselves and build new memories.  Happy Father's Day to all the wonderful men who have risen to the challenge of being a positive reflection for a child.

7 comments:

  1. that's a really sweet Father's Day gift from your kids. So cute.

    I had a similar situation with my dad ...so much so that when Father's Day would come around and I had to go get him a card, I always found myself wondering why there wasn't a "bad dad" father's day card section ...because none of the regular ones worked in my situation.

    My husband and I don't have kids yet {if ever} but I wonder sometimes how it would affect me emotionally to see how great of a dad my husband would be. I would hope so anyway.

    Sorry for the novel ;) Great post. found you via blogHer

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  2. Hi from your newest follower, I think you have such a positive outlook and love your perceptiveness!!! I also had a father in and out of my childhood and now am very appreciative of my children and my husband who is a great father to our kids! I think celebrating together is very special and your gift on father's day is extra special :-) Hope you comment and follow back - have a wonderful weekend with your family!! www.momsflexbiz.com

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  3. Hi Meagan,

    Thanks much for stopping by and for your comments. I agree that finding that right card is sometimes challenging. I visited your blog and just love your sense of style. I feel cool just following you.

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  4. Hi Susanna,

    Thanks for following. I am so glad to hear that you can really enjoy Father's day with your wonderful husband and kids. I am now following you, also.

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  6. Thanks for stopping by, Guide to Smart Shopping I'm your newest follower on Networked Blogs! Hope you have a great week.
    Bridget

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