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Becoming Dad Before Father's Day

June 21, 2009 by Andre Best

It's Father's Day once again. And although the celebration of this day sometimes gets lost in the lazy days of the coming summer season, and even seems to take second-seat to Mother's Day every May, it is still an especially important day for me, in many ways. As part of Father's Day this year I'm simply adding a short introduction and preamble to a piece of writing that I gave to my Dad in 2002.

It's still apropos, and some days even more so as the years go by with my own fatherhood, as I witness the subtle traits that I have that came from my Dad and the parental modeling he displayed as he was (sometimes struggling with) being my father.

Being a parent, and in my case, a father to three burgeoning male souls has time and again proven to be the most incredible blessing and honoring I have been given in this lifetime that I now share with my three sons. So, with that written, this past short writing is all the more fitting and one day may serve to have a similar impacting influence in the minds of my sons when they grow into manhood and pass on the baton, possibly to their own male offspring.

Becoming Dad

~~~~

Becoming Dad is just that... something a man becomes.

It is not something he is gifted with. It is not something he just falls into. It is something he makes a conscious decision to become...

A father.

The mentor to a child.

Someone a child can look up to and admire and respect.

Becoming Dad was a decision I made several years ago and experienced with the birth of my first son.

I chose to become 'dad'. I chose to take on the responsibility of being the figurehead this little person would someday view with awe and perhaps disdain. That's what being a Dad is all about after all.

Dad is the person with whom this little person can rely on.

Dad is the person whom this small human can look up to both literally and figuratively. Someone to know that what must be learned about in life has to be experienced and not just spoken about and yet exampled through actions and deeds.

Becoming Dad is one of the greatest responsibilities a man can decide to endeavor to undertake.

Becoming Dad causes a man to grow in ways that he did not think possible for him.

Becoming Dad does not include a manual with daily instructions for fulfilling this role. Making it up as time progresses is the only way to really do it. Some days are better than others. Some days the past is more present in being Dad.

Some days have regrets. Some days have sadness and crowded emptiness and wondering how things were 'before' Dad. But most days have great joys and unforsaken love. It's all natural. It's all part of it. Part of becoming Dad.

Dad, my Dad... You chose to become Dad to me. Your last son.

I looked up to you as a giant. I grew to love you. I grew to hate you at times. As I grew older I grew to understand you and why you were the Dad I experienced you to be.

But only until I became Dad could I truly understand who you were as my Dad. Only then could I understand that no matter what you did or didn't do or I did or didn't do - that no matter what, you still loved me.

Becoming Dad is an act of love. Becoming Dad is an unfettered sacrifice. Becoming Dad only comes from a man who wants more from himself than he knows how to give.

Thank YOU for becoming Dad and giving ME the opportunity to experience becoming Dad.

I love you... Dad.

Happy Dad's Day.

~~~~

Dead or alive, loving or ignoring, present or absent: we all have a father, whether we like it, or him, or not. May all of you enjoy celebrating Father's Day in whatever manner you do, or don't.

Written by Andre Best
President, Ultimate Results, Inc.
http://www.andrebest.com
'Learn About Life From Another Perspective'

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Posted by Andre Best at June 21, 2009 12:04 AM

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