A Father's Work Is Never Done

I am so very blessed to have been born into the family I was.  I know with today being Father's Day everyone has a story about why their dad is their hero, or why their dad is the best.  Well, this post will be no different as I praise the qualities in my father that have been not only and example, but a lifeline as I struggled through all the phases of  my life. My heart is full as I look back on this last year and want to share with you why I am so blessed to have, and will always have need for, my father in my life.
My husband of almost eight years left me and my children to be with another woman.  Of course there is the obvious financial and emotional turmoil I found myself in, that without any thought I was invited and welcomed back into my parent's home.  Now at the age of 28, I once again rely on my father to provide a roof not only over my head, but my children's as well.  With the chaos of the transition into our new lifestyle, I was less prepared for the emotional healing and tantrum fits demonstrated by my children.  I was falling apart with rejection, anger, regret and lost love and doing my best to fill the needs of my three and one year old and was clearly falling short.  My son especially, as he used to idealize his father, and with that role model suddenly gone, my son acted out to understand why things had changed so drastically as he attempted to push and fit to see who he could trust to stay around.  My father took upon himself this role in my son's life.  By being a soft, loving, reliable, responsible and available adult and man, he slowly taught my son, through his love, that people could still be trusted and that my son was not loved any less.  My father not only was a role model and example for me as he helped raise me, he stepped up once again, to be the same model and character for my children who were so burdened with the loss of such a figure. I cannot even express the blessing it is to me to have such a wonderful male role model in their life as they love, trust and adore their Papa Greg.  How blessed is my little family to be in such a nice, spiritual and safe home with a someone leading the family in love.  I know not all have the blessing on having reliable fathers, including my own children, and am so thankful for the selfless action fathers make of consistently putting the children's needs first.  That is what makes a true father.  Not blood, or lineage, but love, time, selflessness and reliability.  There just aren't enough words to say thank you to my dad for being the spiritual and financial leader to both me and my children.  I love you so much and want you to know how much I appreciate all you do!