Twenty Eight: 13: Dads

I love my dad a lot. I’m lucky. He wasn’t around a ton when I was a kid. But he made what time he had with us kids matter. I’m aware of how special this is. I can’t speak for my brothers, & I won’t, but his actions spoke loud to me when he didn’t have any words to share.

I’m not a dad. I can’t even begin to fathom what it feels like to experience fatherhood. But my dad taught me a lot about fatherhood. My friends & colleagues who are dads teach me a lot about fatherhood. My extra dads, the men who stepped in & met my needs where my dad couldn’t, teach me a lot about fatherhood.

It’s a blessing - both as a single guy trying to be a better man, & as a future good dad, too

My dad & other dads have taught me a lot.

I’ve been dwelling on one specific thing they’ve taught me lately.

This:

Speaking Well Without Words

Men struggle with a lot of things.

Communicating is often one of them.

My dad struggled with a lot of things.

Struggles not mine to share.

Communicating was something, with me at least, he didn’t struggle with as much.

Again, I can’t fully speak for my brothers.

But, for me in particular, I don’t always need to be spoken to in order to understand something.

I feel - intensely & often.

My dad’s love was clearly felt.

The older I got, the clearer I felt it.

He communicated so well, during the hours he had with us, how he felt through how he treated us.

In adulthood, he’s still not the best with words.

He tries. But he doesn’t need to try as much with me.

He communicates his love with his actions well, still.

Not a day goes by I doubt the affection my dad has for me & my brothers.

My dad’s love is clearly felt.

The older I get, the clearer I feel it.

I notice the same thing in the fathers I admire around me & my extra dads.

Some communicate with words better than others.

All of them communicate best with their actions.

It’s become an expectation of themselves, which has become an expectation of mine.

Being human is difficult … let alone a man … let alone a father …

We fall short & rise high in so many ways.

If we can communicate love well with or without words, often, I believe it all washes out for the best.

Dads who do this well & often are accomplished & a blessing.

I’m thankful I have a good dad.

I’m thankful I have other good dads in my life.

I’m proud of the men I know choosing to be good dads.

Cheers, gentlemen.

You’ve earned the recognition.