Dads are special, and their relationship with their children is a very powerful one. They teach their sons how to be both a man and a true gentleman. A father has the power to teach his son lessons that fight back against toxic masculinity. And what I’d give to say hello dad to him just one more time.
A woman’s first male relationship is with her father. From him, she learns how she should and shouldn’t let a man treat her. A girl’s father can be a prominent voice in helping her grow into a strong, confident woman.
This is why losing your father is devastating and can turn your life upside down, no matter how old you are. Even if you had a poor relationship with him, his loss can still leave a deep wound.
The Love Between a Father and his Children is Forever
For many of us, losing a father means losing a best friend. Our dad was our number one supporter from the minute we were born.
“My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person; He believed in me.”
He was there for every little league game and piano recital, he was our chauffeur throughout high school and was always there with a warm hug when we needed it most. Our fathers seem to have this way of comforting us that made us feel safe and had us smiling again in no time.
Dads Let us Learn Important Lessons
Always on hand with helpful advice, he knew when to step in and step aside, letting tough love and experience teach us much-needed lessons.
“A father is neither an anchor to hold us back, nor a sail to take us there, but a guiding light whose love shows us the way.”
Sometimes, there are things we just have to learn on our own. Little did we know, our dad was behind the scenes watching us navigate each new stage of life, ready to step in just at the right time.
A Constant Role Model
“A dad is someone you look up to no matter how tall you grow.”
A dad is like a real-world superhero. Super strength? Sure, he can carry us high on our shoulders; no pickle jar is ever a tough enough match for him.
Super speed? Definitely. He can toss us in the pool before we’ve had the chance to blink and is the first one by our side when we get knocked down on the basketball court. Oh, and we can’t forget how quickly he’s pulling up in the car when we call him at a party that’s gotten out of hand (even if it is at 1 am).
The man is a funny, intelligent, and caring pillar of strength throughout our entire lives.
He Knows When to Lay Down the Law
With dad, it wasn’t always fun and games. As kids and definitely as teenagers, our dad knew when it was time to say enough is enough. Though it was hard to see at the time, there was love behind every punishment he gave us, no matter the nasty things we may have said or done out of anger.
Hey Dad, you were there for me from the day I was born, always having my best interests in mind. You are one of the most important people in my life and I love you with my whole heart.”
Now that we’re adults we are grateful for the times when our Dad said no or grounded us to teach us a lesson. Perhaps with kids of our own, we can understand better where he was coming from.
Hello Dad. Don’t Take Dads For Granted
“Dad: Remembering you is easy, I do it every day. Missing you is the heartache that never goes away.”
Oftentimes we get wrapped up in our busy lives and don’t check in with our parents as frequently as we should. When we do, it’s usually when we need something, or for birthdays, mother’s day, and father’s day.
If there’s one thing you should take away from this article, it’s to never take your father for granted. No matter how mischievous you were as a child or as challenging you were as a teen, he came back to you with love. This is a love that you will miss terribly when it is gone, so cherish it now. If you have already lost your father, then you know the unfillable hole this has left in your heart.
“What I’d give, if I could say “Hello, Dad” in the same old way. To hear his voice and see his smile, to sit with him and chat for a while. So if your father is still here, cherish him with care, for you’ll never know the heartache until you see his empty chair.”
Now, go call your dad.
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