I used to think that my father didn’t love me.
It was hard to think otherwise, because he was never there, and when he was, I could never do anything right in his eyes. The life we lived was never a peaceful one – there was a constant state of tension.
To be honest, growing up all I wanted was to be as far away from him as possible. Don’t get me wrong: I didn’t have daddy issues. It was more the fact that his work took priority over me. He would leave early and come back late and even on the weekends when he was at home he would be working. It was like I only existed as a buffer for his frustration.
However, my Father will always be my hero – and here’s why: As I grew up, he grew up in a way, too: he began to actually see me as his son, and I began to see him for who he really was – a humble dad from a poor upbringing trying to give his family everything he never had.
To be honest, he succeeded: my dad never complained, never gave up, always worked hard, and made sure we had everything we needed. Was he perfect? Not at all. But I will forever be impacted by my dad.
As Father’s Day rolled by this year, I reflected on my experiences as a son. It wasn’t the perfect story, but I can tell you that the journey I undertook with my dad remains unforgettable.
If you are a son or an adopted son, remember that the desire of a father is to always protect and guard your heart. Don’t forget to thank him for that.
Godspeed.