As a father of my 11-year-old daughter, I have been given the gift of parenthood and yes it’s a gift although some may not think it is. It’s the most meaningful job I have to today, next to be a husband. Changing my life forever in January 2013.
I often reflect on my own father Moses, as my parents were divorced, I would spend every other weekend with my sister with him at my grandparents’ house, where he lived as well. My father, who often worked graveyard shifts, would be too exhausted to spend time with my sister and I at times.
Although my father is still alive today and still in my life, he was distant in offering fatherly advice, often substituting time for money, purchasing toys and food such as taking us to Chuck E Cheese and letting us often roam free doing what we wanted when we were at our grandparents house which included eating and drinking whatever we wanted such as drinking as much soda as we like, eating junk food galore and watching as much tube as we wanted. My grandparents stepped in a lot and attempted to inform us about what to eat and how much television time we could get. He would also take us to all the latest films, especially horror films that were not age appropriate.
Yes, by the sound of it, we were not really parented, and I know the way I describe my father seems like I am putting him down, but that is who he was and is today. Do I believe he loves my sister and I, well I sure hope so.
When it comes to my own daughter, she is of a different generation and is apart of the IPAD generation or Alpha generation where she lives off her iPad speaking with friends, playing games and chatting.
From the time she was born, I have been there every moment to watch those huge milestones like first words, first steps and first everything. Being a father has changed my life in so many ways, it has allowed me to have a different perspective about myself and put her first along with my life.
In the time of being a father it also was one of the most challenging and stressful times as I worked to keep food on the table and a roof over our head. I will say that having a family and a daughter has allowed me to self on my own failures as a father.
I know there are far worse off fathers out there, I personally have lived in a house of hell with a grandfather who put down, demoralized his own daughter, my mother, who I would never consider a grandfather, the devil himself in my eyes.
One of the reasons I think fathers get so little appreciation at times is because many, far too many fathers have failed their children, who have abandoned them, hurt them, physically, emotionally, verbally and done damage that cannot be undone.
For those who know me or don’t know me, reading my blogs may see me as someone who is conscious about what I am as a provider, a person, a father and husband and in every instance, I see I have failed them, they deserve so much better.
I pray one day I can truly mimic the real father Jesus and his goodness, his beauty, but I will never be like Jesus, there is only one Jesus. What I will do for now is admire the good dads out there, who are true provider, who rock it at their careers and lives , who are incredible husbands, offering their family all their heart desires , being a man their family can not live without, I don’t think I am that man.
I know this is a strange Father’s day message, But Happy Father’s Day!
Joe Meyers Adventures 