Don't 'kid' yourselves guys if you can't handle the truth...Fatherhood is powerful

My son Jeremy with his son, Deo.

At this Friday Night Thought Tale Hour with the Henderson's, we are on the cusp of an American tradition: Father's Day.  As a 54-year old woman, I've looked at Fatherhood from many sides now, let me tell ya.  A couple of years ago, I wrote about a father being the one who built the cradle that the mom's rocked.  How my perspective has changed with an expanded vision of the dads I've met in my life! So as I considered my view on the position of Fatherhood, I kept coming back to one glaring conclusion: We mom's are so spotlighted in the parenting position that we have a tendency to take responsibility for everything, thus diminishing a truth that adds something vital to the lives of our children...

Fatherhood is a powerful thing.

The influence of a father, present, prevented or preceded, is best-recognized vs. ignored.

Phil and Michaela with her dad, Gordie

Who your father is or was is an important part of our foundation as a person- beyond basic biology.  There are many logical connections that people make, but the one that I find the most persuasive is how a person views what a man did or does with the realization that they are your father.  This is most likely the part where the cradle rocking mom plays the largest role in how we integrate the story in our lives, because she's often the one who gets to tell that first story when we are old enough to ask where we came from.  But I've learned that no matter how she offers the story, most kids still want to learn for themselves who this guy was that was involved in their creation.

 He's half of the story, and half of them.  

It's no wonder that those of us who were raised with a wonderful, caring and doting Dad just seem to have a bigger spring in the steps of their lives.  Even in those tragic cases where Dad disappears before a child is aware of them, the case that's built to provide a good memory and legacy is vital to a kid.  Fatherhood is powerful.

My son Seth with Bonus Dad, Chris

Grandpa Leo with DIL Kim and Deo.

My belief in this perspective, besides all of the living cases in point that surround me, was bolstered even more as I read about the origins for Father's Day.  Two women, one raised by a single father of six, and another raised by a widowed mother whose father died before she was born in a mining disaster, promoted the idea of a national day to recognize fathers in the early 1900's. As mothers, they knew how much the powerful influence of a father could drive the well-being of a child.  Ironically, both of their fathers were born in June, and hence, June seemed to be predestined to hold this holiday.  So guys, the message is clear.  Don't 'kid' yourselves into thinking you can escape the truth.  Fatherhood is a powerful thing that will live long after you are gone from the lives of those you helped create.

Bonus son Austin with  dad Chris

So tonight, we are toasting with a concoction called, "A Big Warm Hug for Dad".  Here's to our Dads and Granddads - those present, those passed, those absent and those who are always there to give us just what we need.  And especially, here's to all you new dads who are beginning the best journey you will ever take. CHEERS FRIENDS!

Niko, sending balloons to Daddy, Seth

(P.S, This is my 100th post for this blog.  Thanks to all who have encouraged me to continue :))

Recipe for Joy's 'A Big Warm Hug for Dad'

1 1/2 oz. Barcardi 151
1/2 oz. Cointreau Orange Liquor
1/2 oz. DiSarrono 
1 1/2 oz. Tito's Handmade Vodka
2 oz La Croix Orange Soda
Splash of Mountain Dew

Fill glass with crushed ice.  Pour each ingredient in one at a time.  Do not stir, just let it mix together naturally.