Only a short time ago I could call my dad on the phone and tell him of my excursions, events and life-goals. I could pontificate, expound upon and even imagine some of the greatest of my desires. He would not only listen but encourage and breath even more life into my wildest ideas. My success was his success and there was no shortage of oneness where accomplishment was concerned. He was in it for me and not only for me but for my older sister and brother as well.
As far back as I can remember, my dad was champion for our success. He and my Mother both flew the flag of education all of our days and where my dad was concerned, we would each have a degree and all be educated so that we would actively live a life of academic achievement giving us opportunities from which to choose. That was my dad’s goal for his 3 children. Success, choice and God.
And so, it happened as he so desired, encouraged and invested. All three of his children attended well-known educational institutions, received degrees and found success in various careers. My sister Kathy, served as an area Assistant Superintendent. Patrick, my brother was a pastor for at least 3 decades and I served in the school system as a principal, and an adjunct professor at The University of North Florida. Each of us also became teachers along the way. We all followed educational paths in addition to having personal goals and certain interests.
Looking back, I can see the power of parenting, It was the goal of my parents that thrust the three of us into people who had a desire to go, be and accomplish. My father’s constant words of encouragement, nudging of purpose and prayers to God, pushed all three of us toward a path of desire and achievement. We wanted to do something with our lives and it was because of our father’s overwhelming presence and prominence in our day-to-day living that we indeed met and in some cases exceeded his expectations.
Here are 5 things our dad did for us:
1. Love– Daddy loved us unconditionally. Even when we disappointed him or in someway left the path he had desired for us, he nudged us back to the goals set for us as a child. Yes, sometimes the nudge was straight forward and honest but never uncaring. It was unconditional love mixed with focus tips and an obvious expectation of his best for us.
2. Warmth – Daddy was a loving father . He was a busy dad but took time to spend important memories with the family. He often teased and hugged us. He told us he loved us. There was never a wondering as to if we were cared about.
3. Attention– Our Dad spent real time with us. We were not wealthy and did not have a lot of money but what money our parents had was streamlined to provide us the things needed in life. We lived on a small mini-farm where we learned the importance of caring for animals. This gave us responsibility. Our family dug our own olympic-sized swimming pool and we were involved in a variety of civic organizations. Our Church was the most important place to go at least 3 times a week.
4. Future -Focussed– Daddy spoke words of encouragement and hope for our future. When we were very young, he talked to us often about our schooling. He discussed the hope of our up-and-coming degrees. There was never a question about going to college. We were headed to a 4 year institution. It was in his vision for our lives. We would graduate from college and we did.
5. Prayer– My father prayed aloud over us for as long as I can remember. When I think about this, I feel he called out our names individually and as a group when he was alone as well. Invoking the name of God, the power of all powers to a child is an awesome event and one that I appreciate so much from the lips of my own father.
I wish all fathers a Happy Father’s Day and pray that you will have great success in influencing those given under your care. When my father passed from this life to the next, I was unable to call him to hear that voice of reason. If you’re a father and still have that opportunity, you’re encouraged to love, offer warmth, give attention, focus on a successful future, and to pray for your children. Be that champion of success your child needs.
