What a week and a roller coaster ride this week has been. It has been one of those weeks of character altering and cognitive dissonance at its best. What do you stand for as a father and husband in the eyes of your family? This week continues to challenge this for me as I was allowed at least from one employer to keep my job and provide for my family. What makes a man? In a time when manliness is challenged and questioned as something possibly offensive I know that this week my family saw me stand for what’s right, she’s tears of fear and share in the hugs and embrace needed to get through this week of emotional roller coaster. This week I felt like exposed and vulernable as I was forced to put my beliefs on the line. I guess this makes me stronger as a father, husband and provider for my family but is this the measure of a man? I didn’t have to battle or hunt to provide but I had to stand for what was right and for what other fathers should be standing for. My family had to see me at a moment that challenges and forces a man to stand for what is right and to set and example for those he provides for. I hope that at the end of this week my girls see what a man should do for those he cares for and provides for and my son sees the shoes he will need to stand in one fay for himself. The lessons that we teach our children are not limited to those within the schools and this week was one of them. I hope they know what I sacrifice for what’s right, what’s just and what is necessary to keep this world headed in the right direction. To my family who witnessed this father on his knees crying, losing sleep for standing for what’s just and for leading them in their lives to be good providers….I love you and everything I do is for you. That is the role of this father of four and husband.
Author Archives: Fatherof4
What do you say to your child?
What do you say to your child when they ask “why are you losing your job daddy?” The question seemed so innocent coming from my daughter as we drive together from school to our escape house. Explaining to your daughter that I am losing my job because I stood for something and what was right was a hard convo today. I know that I must stand for what’s right as hard as it seems to be able to do in today’s upside down world. My daughter asked me if I thought I was making the right decision and without hesitation I told her “yes.” Today being a father of four is challenging and resulted in more loss of sleep. Tonight not because of laundry, dishes or finishing up work but because I fear for my right to provide for my family. I fear for my ability to by my own labor feed, clothe and take financial responsibility for the family I’ve created. I’m not looking for handouts but the ability to provide for my family and to live our lives as unobstructed and controlled from outside my home. Is this too much to ask? Is it too much to take ownership for one’s family and to think that I can guide them to something great? Tonight this father of four lays here sleepless because the world has changed and my heart says the change may not be for the better.
Fatherof4 