Fatherliness is different from fatherhood.
Fathers who are fatherly are incredible men.
Fathers who are fatherly bring strength and security to
their children.
Fathers who are fatherly are role models, heroes and leaders.
I know that not all fathers are the epitome of such
stoicism, but, by and large, I think all fathers desire to be fatherly.
Fatherly fathers aren’t perfect, none of us are. Fatherly fathers are
vulnerable, imperfect and capable of making mistakes.
I have a hard-working and fatherly father. He was dedicated
to his career and was – and still is – dedicated to his family. I remember him
flying in from business trips to come to
Father/Daughter Dances. I have memories of him at volleyball games,
piano recitals, opera house performances. Even as an adult, he came to see me
run a local race and was there to cheer me on at the finish line. He loves us unconditionally. He provided
for his family and continues to guide our family in faith.
My father-in-law is gentle, strong, caring, loving and
a great fatherly father and grandfather. I didn’t get to grow up knowing him,
but I watch him with our girls. I saw him in the delivery room holding his
granddaughters for the first time. I hear stories, and I know … he is a good
father.
My husband is a good fatherly father. He works hard, and
then he helps watch the children so that I can work – not because I have to,
but because I really, really want to. I’ve been given an amazing opportunity as
a second career, and he is such a good husband and father that he supports me
by taking care of the children during the times I need to be away.
He was great when the
children were infants – he knew more about babies than I did! I couldn’t have
done this thing called parenthood without him. I still can’t! I am thankful
that he takes a leadership role in so many decisions.
Now that they are older, he takes our oldest to ice skating
practice and encourages our youngest as she works hard on her speech lessons.
He takes our oldest to Oshkosh for seven days! He snuggles with our youngest
and reads stories – even if they happen to be about ballet and fairies and
princesses.
He is an excellent role model of what my daughters should
look for in a husband. He is faithful to God, loves his children, honors his
parents, respects mine, is strong and courageous and also is gentle.
I am proud of my father, my father-in-law and my husband.
I am thankful for all of the fatherly men in my life, for there
are so many to whom I look for guidance and courage. They need not be family,
but they are, indeed, a blessing in my life – their experience, their kindness,
their support and their willingness to share their lives to broaden mine – I
truly am thankful for all they are.
For those of us who might not have strong father-figures in
our lives … we need not look farther than our God – who loves us perfectly,
despite our imperfections. Who stands by us, no matter how often we might turn
our backs. Who gives us strength and grace that can only come from Him, no
matter how much pain or how much hurt we must overcome.
But, I want to thank you, fatherly men, who take care of
others, who respect those to whom you speak, who stand up for those who are
weaker, who comfort those who are hurting, who forgive when you have been hurt and who give others hope when they are hopeless. You are fathers – whether you have
children, have lost children, have never had children or have lost touch with
your children. You are fathers, because you represent strength, character and
goodness.
~ Men, embrace your opportunity to be fatherly ~
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| My husband, being an awesome Dad. |
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| My Dad doing the grandfather thing. |
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| My mother-in-law and my father-in-law. The two rarely are apart! |
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| My Dad being a supportive daddy even when his baby girl is all grown-up! |
This weekend, we celebrate the birthday of our country. 
